Trichomycosis Palmellina

TRICHOMYCOSIS PALMELLINA, a common skin disease, described under this name in 1875 by Pick (Jos. Pick). In persons of both sexes who sweat heavily and are not sufficiently clean, more often in blondes, the hairs of the armpits are covered over almost their entire length or in certain places with a sticky mass of yellow, reddish-yellow, or brown color. Fresh deposits are easily removed, older ones with more difficulty. Sometimes all the hairs of the armpits are completely affected. The deposits consist of accumulations of cocci forming a homogeneous mass surrounding the hair like a cuff. Methylene blue stains them well. The diagnosis presents no difficulties purely clinically. The cholesterol ester, which gives these masses their characteristic color, is a product of the apocrine glands and epidermal fat. Prevention consists in maintaining cleanliness of the skin in the armpits. Treatment: deposits are removed by washing with soap, preferably sulfur or tar, wiping with sublimate alcohol or potassium permanganate solution; at night, a 2-3% sulfur-salicylic ointment is rubbed in.