Bromhidrosis L75.0

Bad-smelling sweat.

One distinguishes 2 forms:

• Apocrine Bromhidrosis
• and
• eccrine bromhidrosis,

the former being far more common.

Metabolic diseases such as trimethylaminuria (fish smell syndrome) can also be the cause.

Decomposition of organic sweat components of the initially odourless, apocrine sweat by coryneform rod bacteria. The decomposition of sweat produces short-chain fatty acids and ammonia. These components are responsible, among other things, for the odour of the sweat. A lack of hygiene favours the occurrence.

• Differential diagnosis of diseases or conditions that are associated with an unpleasant body odor:
• trimethylaminuria (fish smell syndrome)
• Erythrasma
• Pityriasis versicolor
• Pseudobromohidrosis
• Vaginitis caused by Gardnerella vaginalis
• General neglect
• Prompt consumption of garlic
• Displaced cornification disorders associated with hyperhidrosis, e.g. keratosis palmoplantaris transgrediens et progrediens with mutations in SLURP1.
• Darier's disease
• Weeping large area dermatoses
• Gram-negative body infections (e.g. Gram-negative foot infections)

1. Semkova K et al (2015) Hyperhidrosis, bromhidrosis, and chromhidrosis: Fold (intertriginous) dermatosis. Clin Dermatol 33:483-91.