Bromhidrosisor osmidrosis, is an unpleasant odor usually caused by bacteria on your skin breaking down secretions from your apocrine sweat glands. Apocrine glands begin to work during puberty and are located under the arms and around the groin.
Bromhidrosis is often associated with hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating. If left untreated, it can negatively affect mental health; however, there are many options to help reduce your body odor.
Bromhidrosis describes an unpleasant body odor that usually occurs under the armpits and is often associated with hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating. The severity of the odor varies from person to person and may not go away with improved hygiene. The smell may worsen after exercising or eating spicy or garlic-infused foods.
Bromhidrosis can affect individuals in other ways. Experiencing bromhidrosis does not necessarily mean that a person has poor hygiene. It can negatively affect a person’s body image and mental health.
If you experience unpleasant body odor, you are probably looking for a cause.
Most people experience some body odor after sweating, such as in hot environments or after exercise, which improves after showering. If you have frequent body odor, it could also be caused by bacteria or other health conditions.
Bacteria
Your body has two main types of sweat glands—eccrine and apocrine. Your eccrine glands produce the clear, odorless fluid you associate with sweating. They are found throughout the body and are important for regulating body temperature.
Your apocrine glands are located under your arms and around your groin. They start working around puberty and release a clear substance called mucus when you sweat.
When this substance breaks down on your skin, it can cause body odor. In some individuals, this bacterial breakdown can cause a stronger odor and require treatment to manage.
Some conditions that can increase how much you sweat and worsen body odor include:
- hyperhidrosis: A medical condition that causes excessive sweating
- Hyperthyroidism: A medical condition caused by an overactive thyroid gland
diabetes
Individuals with uncontrolled diabetes can experience very high blood glucose concentrations, which can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis. When this happens, the body uses fat for energy and produces ketones. Ketones are more acidic and are released through sweat glands and your breath, causing a vinegary or fruity smell.
Kidney diseases
The kidneys break down a substance called urea. When you have kidney disease, your kidneys no longer address urea as it should, and it is then released through sweat. As a result, people with kidney disease may have body odor that smells like vinegar.
Although bromhidrosis is usually physically harmless, it can negatively affect your body image and mental health. Seek medical attention if you’ve tried changing your hygiene practices but still have body odor.
Your healthcare provider may ask about the frequency and severity of your sweating and odor, your hygiene practices, and what products, if any, you currently use to help manage your symptoms. They can also address underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease.
There are several treatments that help manage bromhidrosis. The goal is to reduce body odor by reducing underarm sweat. Here are some of the treatment options:
- Hygiene practices: Maintaining good hygiene, such as washing your body frequently with soap and changing your clothes frequently, can help limit the amount of bacteria and sweat on your skin. Using over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription antibacterial soaps can also help.
- Deodorants and antiperspirants: Deodorants mask the smell of body odor, while antiperspirants reduce the amount of sweat. By reducing the moisture under the arms, less sweat will be available to break down bacteria and your body odor will be reduced. Most antiperspirants use aluminum as an active ingredient. There are both OTC and prescription options.
- Botulinum toxin A injections: This option targets your sweat glands and reduces their ability to sweat. Although a common treatment, this approach is not permanent and requires additional injections over time to maintain effectiveness.
- Microwave therapy: Microwave rays damage your sweat glands and reduce body odor.
- Surgical treatment: In some cases, surgical treatment may be necessary to control body odor. Many different surgical techniques can remove the sweat glands under your arms. These procedures are often not the first choice of treatment.
If you have an underlying condition that causes body odor, such as diabetes, treating the underlying condition can help reduce your body odor. Your healthcare team can help you find the best treatment options.
Bacteria under your arms create body odor by breaking down secretions from your apocrine glands, so try to change your hygiene practices and keep your armpits as dry as possible. You can also consider the following tips to reduce body odor:
- Avoid eating spicy foods or foods rich in garlic
- Take a shower soon after exercise and wash your clothes after exercise
- Consider shirt inserts that you can change when you sweat to keep your underarms dry
- Wear breathable clothing such as cotton
- Shave often under your arms
Although body odor usually has no harmful complications to physical health, body odor can harm your self-image and mental health. Individuals with bromhidrosis may isolate themselves due to concerns about body odor. In the long term, they may experience anxiety and depression.
In one study, 23 of 34 people with bromhidrosis were diagnosed with depression. The stress of maintaining good hygiene can also lead to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) in people with bromhidrosis.
If you’re struggling with your mental health because of your body odor, a mental health professional can help.
Bromhidrosis is an unpleasant body odor caused by the breakdown of secretions from your apocrine glands that are released with sweat.
Bromidrosis is usually associated with excessive sweating, and treatments often focus on reducing sweating. Underlying health conditions like diabetes and kidney disease can also cause body odor.
Although usually physically harmless, bromhidrosis can worsen your mental health. A healthcare team can help you navigate treatment options and provide mental health support for this condition.