<unk>  or<unk>  is a skin disease that affects areas bearing apocrine sweat glands and hair follicles; such as the underarms, groin and buttocks.  It is more commonly found in women and can be present under the breasts.
The disease manifests as clusters of chronic abscesses or boils, sometimes as large as baseballs, that are extremely painful to the touch and may persist for years with occasional to frequent periods of inflammation, culminating in drainage of pus, often leaving open wounds that will not heal. Drainage provides some relief from severe, often debilitating, pressure pain.  Flare-ups may be triggered by stress, perspiration, hormonal changes (such as monthly cycles in women), humid heat, and clothing friction. Persistent lesions may lead to scarring and the formation of sinus tracts, or tunnels connecting the abscesses under the skin. At this stage, complete healing is usually not possible, and progression varies from person to person, with some experiencing remission anywhere from months to years at a time, others may worsen and require surgery in order to live comfortably. Occurrences of bacterial infections and cellulitis (deep tissue inflammation) may occur at these sites.<unk>  pain can be difficult to manage.<unk>  often goes undiagnosed for years because patients are too ashamed to speak with anyone. When they do see a doctor, the disease is frequently misdiagnosed or prescribed treatments are ineffective, temporary and sometimes even harmful. There is no known cure nor any consistently effective treatment. Carbon dioxide laser surgery is currently considered the last resort for those who have advanced to its highest stage, where the affected areas are excised, and the skin is grafted. Surgery doesn't always alleviate the condition, however, and can be very expensive.
It is possible that there is genetic predisposition to the disease. <unk>  is not contagious,  and is not affected nor caused by good or bad hygiene.<unk>  is often called an 'orphan illness', due to little research being conducted on the disease at this time.  Because<unk>  is considered a rare disease, its incidence rate is not well known, but has been estimated as being between 1:24 (4.1%) and 1:600 (0.2%).<unk>  has been referred to by multiple names in the literature, as well as in various cultures.  Some of these are also used to describe different diseases, or specific instances of this disease.
Acne conglobata - not really a synonym - this is a similar process but in classic acne areas of chest and back
Acne Inversa (AI) - a new term struggling for acceptance
Apocrine Acne - a misnomer, out-dated, based on the disproven concept that apocrine glands are primarily involved
Apocrinitis - another misnomer, out-dated, based on the disproven concept that apocrine glands are primarily involved
Fox-den disease - a catchy term not used in medical literature, based on the deep fox den / burrow - like sinuses<unk>  Supportiva - a misspelling
Pyodermia sinifica fistulans - an older term, considered archaic now, misspelled here
Velpeau's disease - commemorating the French surgeon who first described the disease in 1833
Verneuil's disease - recognizing the French surgeon whose name is most often associated with the disorder as a result of his 1854-1865 studies
Hidradenitis suppurativa
Folliculitis decalvans
Lichen myxedematosus
Herpes labialis
Keratosis follicularis spinulosa decalvans
Pseudomonas dermatitis
Tinea cruris
Cutaneous larva migrans