“The earliest known clinical description of sarcoidosis was recorded by Jonathan Hutchinson in 1875, who observed purplish, nodular, sharply circumscribed lesions on a patient’s fingers, forearms, and legs, along with nontender swelling of a finger, marking the first recognition of the disease in medical literature.

In 1877, the Norwegian physician C.W. Boeck described a peculiar skin lesion that would later be recognized as a manifestation of sarcoidosis.

The term “sarcoidosis” was introduced in 1899 by the British dermatologist Robert J. W. Hutchinson, who highlighted the systemic nature of the condition, distinguishing it from other skin diseases and tuberculosis-like conditions. Early on, the disease was primarily considered a dermatological curiosity, but by the early 20th century, its systemic involvement, including the lungs, lymph nodes, and other organs, became evident.

Over the decades, understanding of sarcoidosis expanded significantly, with advances in radiographic imaging, histopathology, and immunology clarifying its multisystem nature. Despite these developments, the exact cause remains unknown, though genetic predisposition and environmental triggers are implicated. Today, sarcoidosis is recognized as a non-infectious granulomatous disease that can affect multiple organs, with skin manifestations being among the earliest observed signs.”

JAMA Dermatology (SARCOIDOSIS | JAMA Dermatology | JAMA Network) and SPRYPT.com (The Historical Context of Sarcoidosis)