Bromidrosis is a chronic condition that causes excessive body odor, mainly affecting people beyond puberty. It is caused by the reaction of bacteria with sweat, and can be treated with antiperspirants, antibacterial agents, and surgical treatments.
Bromidrosis, also known as bromidrosis and more commonly known as body odor, is a chronic condition characterized by excessive body odor emitted by a person’s body. The odor produced is usually an unpleasant odor. As a result, bromidrosis can have negative social consequences, depending on the strength of the odor. Body odor mainly affects people beyond the stage of puberty.
The main cause of bromidrosis is the reaction of bacteria with sweat. The terms “fetid sweat,” referred to by the clinical terms osmidrosis and ozocrotia, and “foul-smelling sweat” are used to describe sweat that emits an unpleasant odor. These may be considered misnomers, however, as sweat by itself produces no odor at all.
Apocrine bromidrosis is the most common form of the condition. This occurs when bacteria on the skin break down secretions, especially oily components, from the apocrine sweat glands, resulting in the release of fatty acids. These substances are responsible for the production of body odor. The apocrine glands, however, have a limited distribution and are found in the armpit, genital area, and breasts.
The eccrine glands, which constitute the other major category of secretion glands in humans, are distributed throughout the skin. Thus, eccrine bromidrosis is the type of condition associated with odor emanating from the whole body. Bromidrosis, however, can be divided based on the area of the body that is affected. For example, axillary bromhidrosis refers to odor coming from the underarms.
Bromidrosis could have other causes. Some doctors suggest that foods such as alcohol, garlic, onions, and some spices are contributing factors. Bromidrosis can also be a result of heredity, lifestyle and overall health.
Hyperhidrosis can be considered related to bromidrosis as a condition leading to the latter. It is characterized by excessive sweating, especially as a reaction to high temperatures. Like bromidrosis, hyperhidrosis may affect the entire body or be concentrated in certain areas.
Bromidrosis, particularly in more extreme cases, can be treated. Antiperspirants such as deodorant are used to combat odor from underarm sweating. For a holistic approach, people suffering from bromhidrosis are encouraged to use antibacterial agents such as antiseptic soap during thorough bathing sessions, as well as sprays or body washes. Dermatologic use of the Clostridium botulinum protein product, botulinum toxin, has been promoted to induce a long-term decrease in sweat production. There are also surgical treatments that involve the removal of part of the skin and/or subcutaneous tissue.
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