Fox–Fordyce disease
A chronic itchy papular condition occurring in areas of the skin with apocrine glands especially the axilla of young women. Chronic blockage of the sweat gland ducts with a secondary, non-bacterial inflammatory response to the secretions and cellular debris in the cysts.
Similar to hidradenitis but without secondary bacterial infection so that no pus-draining sinuses are formed.
History
1902 – Original report in 1902 based on the reviews of two patients by Fox and the histopathological review by Fordyce
Associated Persons
- George Henry Fox (1846-1937)
- John Addison Fordyce (1858-1925)
Alternative names
- Apocrine miliaria
Controversies
The final conclusions of Fox and Fordyce regarding related to neurosis and to neurodermatitis was wrong; but their observation that individual lesions looked, at times, similar to keratosis pilaris was correct
References
- Fox GH, Fordyce JA. Two cases of a rare papular disease affecting the axillary region. J Cutan Genitourin Dis 1902; 20: 1-5. [Reprint: Arch Dermatol. 2002;138(1):16. JAMA]
- Böer A. Dr Fox and Fordyce – A biographical note. Dermatopathology: Practical and Conceptual. 2004; 10: 2
eponymictionary
the names behind the name
Graduated MBBS St George's University of London in 2023 after completing my BSc in Human Genetics at University of Nottingham in 2018. I completed my foundation training at St. Mary's Hospital, Isle of Wight and achieved the national award for my contributions to the Enhance Enable Programme in Leadership. In 2025, I commenced my role in Emergency Medicine in Sir Charle's Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Western Australia.
BA MA (Oxon) MBChB (Edin) FACEM FFSEM. Emergency physician, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. Passion for rugby, medical history, medical education, and asynchronous learning #FOAMed evangelist. Co-founder and CTO of Life in the Fast lane | On Call: Principles and Protocols 4e| Eponyms | Books | Horology