Bromhidrosis Meaning, Definition, Symptoms, Medications, Surgery

Learn all about bromhidrosis meaning, definition, symptoms, medications and surgery. Bromhidrosis is a disease presenting as malodor caused by interaction between the discharge of apocrine glands and bacteria.

Bromhidrosis results in sweat that smells sharp, musty or stinging. Furthermore, there is production of too much sweat, which also interferes with everyday living. Apart from foul and heavy body odor, the axillae are the area where the body odor comes alive. Other areas that can be impacted include feet soles and genital areas. Odor can be different for various people. But the most common types range across pungent, musty, acrid or rancid. Skin however, appears normal unless a dermatological condition like erthyrasma is responsible for the BO. In the event of eccrine BO, skin maceration may occur where the keratin or body protein is consumed by bacteria. Moreover, there will be a thick layer of moist and wet keratin which can be physically detected. Also, modifications appear in the areas of the skin and soles of the feet where the skin is rubbed constantly

Firstly, bromhidrosis is noted in those with medical or familial history of the same. Gender is another factor, where men are more prone to BO than women. Also, those infected by Corynebacterium bacteria can also be chronic sufferers of this condition. Even those who suffer from metabolic disorders like amino acid disorders can undergo this condition. Eating certain foods like spices, curry or garlic is equally liable to lead to this condition. Alcohol ingestion is also correlated with bromhidrosis. Body odor is caused by bacteria breaking down sweat and is largely linked to the apocrine glands. Most body odor comes from these.

These glands are found in the breasts, genital area, eyelids, armpits, and ear. In the breasts, they secrete fat droplets into breast milk. In the ear, they help form earwax. Apocrine glands in the skin and the eyelids are sweat glands. Most of the apocrine glands in the skin are located in the groin, armpits, and around the nipples. In the skin, they usually have an odor. They are scent glands.

A study in 2003 showed that people who had Botox injected into their armpits experienced a decrease in body odor. Researchers believe it prevents sweat glands from working. No sweat equals no body odor. The main therapeutic modalities are applying topical agents, liposuction surgery, and elective surgery. Among these, elective surgery is reported to be most effective. However, the efficiency largely depends on surgical technique.

What is Bromhidrosis?

Bromhidrosis is a medical condition where the body releases bad-smells in conjunction with sweat. Perspiration itself lacks odor. It is only when sweat comes into contact with bacteria on the skin that smells emerge.

Bromhidrosis Meaning

Bromhidrosis, also known as osmidrosis, bromidrosis or body odor, is a common phenomenon in post pubertal individuals

Bromhidrosis Definition

Bromhidrosis is an abnormal condition in which the apocrine sweat has an unpleasant odor. The odor is usually caused by bacterial decomposition of perspiration on the skin. It is also called body odor.

Bromhidrosis Symptoms

These are the most common symptoms of bromhidrosis:

• Excessive, unpleasant body odor
• Primary area from where the body odor comes: axillae
• Other areas affected: soles of the feet, genital area
• The odor can be described differently from one patient to the other. However, the most common words used for the description of BO were: pungent, acrid, musty or rancid.
• Skin looks normal in the affected areas. Exception: association with other skin conditions (erythrasma, trichomycosis axillaris).
• In case of eccrine bromhidrosis, the following modifications may occur on the skin in the affected areas:
• Skin maceration (the keratin is consumed by bacteria)
• Thick mat of moist keratin (physical examination will reveal it)
• Modifications appear on the soles of the feet and in areas where the skin rubs together.

Bromhidrosis Medications

• Bromhidrosis medications include two common antibiotics that are clindamycin and erythromycin. Talk to your doctor about getting a prescription for these antibiotics.
• Bacteria have been implicated in the pathogenesis of bromhidrosis; the organisms decompose apocrine secretions, liberating fatty acids that have peculiar smells.
• Clindamycin topical (Cleocin, Clindagel) inhibits bacterial growth by binding to the 50S ribosomal subunit and blocking dissociation of peptidyl t-RNA from ribosomes, arresting RNA-dependent protein synthesis.
• Erythromycin topical (Erythro-Statin 2%, Akne-mycin, Theramycin Z) is a macrolide antimicrobial that inhibits bacterial growth by binding reversibly to the 50S ribosomal subunit and blocking dissociation of peptidyl t-RNA from ribosomes, arresting RNA-dependent protein synthesis. Use 2-4% solution.
• OnabotulinumtoxinA is known to be effective in treating hyperhidrosis. It has also been found to decrease axillary odor in a study of healthy subjects and in one case study in genital bromhidrosis.
• Aluminum chloride topical is an astringent agent used in the management of hyperhidrosis. Its antiperspirant mechanism of action is not known, although creation of aluminum-containing casts within the sweat duct has been postulated. A solution of 20% aluminum chloride in ethyl alcohol is used.

Bromhidrosis Surgery

Bromhidrosis surgery can be useful when self-care and medicinal measures are not effective at treating severe body odor, a doctor can perform a surgical procedure called endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS) that destroys the sweating-controlling nerves below the skin of the armpits. Procedures include:

• Sweat Gland Excision: This invasive procedure involves cutting out your sweat glands. Excision procedures are no longer recommended, so avoid this option.
• Superficial Liposuction: While less invasive than excision, superficial liposuction suctions out your sweat glands and the surrounding fatty tissue.
• Apocrine Gland Removal with Cartilage Shaver: In this procedure, doctors insert a suction-assisted cartilage shave and scrap away the skin tissue that contains your apocrine glands.