NONNEOPLASTIC DISORDERS OF THE ECCRINE GLANDS

Eccrine glands are uniquely susceptible to a variety of pathologic pro cesses. Alteration in the rate of sweat secretion manifests as hypohid rosis and hyperhidrosis. Obstruction of the eccrine duct leads to mili aria. The excretion of drugs into eccrine sweat may be a contributory factor in neutrophilic eccrine hidradenitis (NEH), syringosquamous met aplasia (SSM), coma bulla, and erythema multiforme (EM). Alterations i n the electrolyte composition of eccrine sweat can be observed in seve ral systemic diseases, most notably cystic fibrosis. This article summ arizes current knowledge of eccrine gland pathophysiology.