Sycosis is a chronic, inflammatory affection involving the hair-follicles, usually of the moustache and bearded regions only, and characterized by papules, tubercles, and pustules perforated by hairs.

Describe the symptoms of sycosis.

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 ac.u.minated, 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: 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.

What is the course of the disease?

Essentially chronic, the inflammatory action being of a subacute or sluggish character, with acute exacerbations.

State the causes of sycosis.

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 s.e.x 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.

What is the pathology of sycosis?

The disease is primarily a perifolliculitis, the follicle and its sheath subsequently becoming involved in the inflammatory process.

How would you distinguish sycosis from eczema?

Eczema is rarely sharply limited to the bearded region, but is apt to involve other parts of the face; moreover, the lesions are usually confluent, and there is either an oozing, red crusted surface, or it is dry and scaly.

How would you exclude tinea sycosis in the diagnosis?

In tinea sycosis, or ringworm sycosis, the history of the case is different. The parts are distinctly lumpy and nodular; the hairs are soon involved and become dry, brittle, loose, and fall out, or they may be readily extracted. The superficial type of ringworm sycosis is readily distinguished by the ring-like character of the patches. In doubtful cases, microscopic examination of the hairs may be resorted to.

Give the prognosis of sycosis.

The disease is curable, but almost invariably obstinate and rebellious to treatment. The duration, extent, and character of the inflammatory process must all be considered. An expression of an opinion as to the length of time required for a cure should always be guarded.

Ulerythema sycosiforme is extremely obstinate. Folliculitis decalvans is also rebellious.

How is sycosis to be treated?

Mainly, and often exclusively, by external applications.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 27. Sycosis.]

Is const.i.tutional treatment of no avail in sycosis?

In some instances; but, as a rule, it is negative. If indicated, such remedies as tonics, alteratives, cod-liver oil and the like are to be prescribed.

Describe the external treatment.

Crusting, if present, is to be removed by warm embrocations. If the inflammation is of a high grade, and the parts tender and painful, soothing applications, such as bland oils, black wash and oxide-of-zinc ointment, cold cream and petrolatum, are to be used; boric-acid solution, fifteen grains to the ounce, may be advised in place of black wash.

In most cases, however, astringent and stimulating remedies are demanded from the start, such as: diachylon ointment, alone or with ten to thirty grains of calomel to the ounce; oleate of mercury, as a five- to twenty-per-cent. ointment; precipitated sulphur, one to three drachms to the ounce of benzoated lard, or lard and lanolin; a ten- to twenty-five-per-cent. ichthyol ointment; and resorcin lotion or ointment, ten to twenty per cent. strength.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Fig. 28. Sycosis.]

A change from one application to another will be found necessary in almost all cases.

In obstinate cases the x-ray treatment can be used, as it has proved itself valuable in some instances; as in other diseases, it should be employed cautiously.

What would you advise in regard to shaving?

When bearable (and after a few days' application of soothing remedies it almost always is), it is to be advised in all cases, as it materially aids in the treatment. After a cure is effected it should be continued for some months, until the healthy condition of the parts is thoroughly established.

When is depilation advisable as a therapeutic measure?

When the suppurative process is active, in order to save the follicles from destruction; incising or puncturing the pustules will often accomplish the same end.

Depilation is in all cases a valuable therapeutic measure, but it is painful; as a routine practice, shaving is less objectionable and, upon the whole, is probably as satisfactory. Those who make free use of the x-ray commonly push it to the point of producing depilation.

Dermat.i.tis Papillaris Capillitii.