Sycosis begins by the formation of papules and pustules about the hair-follicles; the lesions occur in numbers, in close proximity, and together with the accompanying inflammation, make up a small or large area. The pustules are small, rounded, flat or acuminated, discrete, and yellowish in color; they are perforated by hairs, show no tendency to rupture, and are apt to occur in crops, drying to thin yellowish or brownish crusts. Papules and tubercles are often intermingled. More or less swelling and infiltration are noticeable.
[Illustration: Fig. 26. Sycosis--not infrequently begins in, and sometimes limited to, this region.]
The disease is seen, as a rule, only on the bearded part of the face, either about the cheeks, chin or upper lip, involving a small portion or the whole of these parts. It is also sometimes met with involving the hair follicles just within the nasal orifice, and may even be limited to this region.
Occasionally a sycosiform eruption, usually of the side of the bearded region, leaves behind a smooth or keloidal scar, the disease gradually extending--_ulerythema sycosiforme_ (lupoid sycosis).
An inflammation of the hair-follicles of the scalp apparently sycosiform in character, occurring as discrete or aggregated lesions, is sometimes observed, the follicles being destroyed and atrophy or slight scarring resulting--_folliculitis decalvans_.
#Does conspicuous hair loss occur in sycosis?#
Ordinarily not; the hairs are, especially at first, usually firmly seated, but in those cases in which suppuration is active, and has involved the follicles, they may, as a rule, be easily extracted. In some cases destruction of the follicles ensues and slight scarring and permanent hair loss result.
#State the character of the subjective symptoms.#
Pain and itching and a sense of burning, variable as to degree, may be present.
Essentially chronic, the inflammatory action being of a subacute or sluggish character, with acute exacerbations.
Upon the upper lip it may have its origin in a nasal catarrh. Entrance into the follicles of pyogenic micrococci is now regarded as the essential factor. This view being accepted, carries with it the possibility of contagiousness.
It is seen in the male sex only, usually in those between the ages of twenty-five and fifty; and is met with in those in good and bad health, and among rich and poor. It is comparatively infrequent.
