Starting with a cornification disorder, there is an accumulation and retention of horny cells in the excretory duct of oil glands and in the area of hair roots. The horny cells get in contact with bacteria which leads to an inflammation of the oil glands and the hair roots and causes thus a purulent melting of their content. From here, the inflammation can spread and thus include sweat glands. In that way painful abscesses and ulceration may occur which may then cause a fistula. The bacterial infection though is not the trigger but the secondary cause. The main reason why certain body areas like the anal region or armpits are affected more often, are the well growing condition for bacteria. Factors are for example high skin temperature, skin moisture and a basic pH value of the skin.
