People whose sweat has a strong unpleasant odor are particularly unpleasant. They are affected by bromhidrosis. The strong odor is caused by bacteria that decompose the secreted sweat on the skin. Affected individuals are particularly burdened in their social life and often have to deal with accompanying psychological symptoms: They are often ostracized at work and in their leisure time and are severely isolated socially. Reduced sweating, on the other hand, is referred to as hypohidrosis. Find out what lies behind the two disorders of sweat production here.
Bromhidrosis – strong smelling sweat.
In most cases, bromhidrosis is accompanied by increased sweat production. Behind foul-smelling sweat can also be a disease; also some medications change the smell of sweat.
Especially if bromhidrosis is new to you, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Options for therapy range from small simple methods of treatment to surgical intervention.
Therapy for bromhidrosis
Bromhidrosis for which no other cause has been found must be treated by a dermatologist. To counteract sweat and bacteria, the underarm hair is shaved. An alcoholic solution is then applied. Since the underarm region is very sensitive, shaving and treatment must be done very carefully so as not to further irritate the stressed skin.
In very severe cases, it is possible to surgically remove the sweat glands or cut the connection to the nerves that control the sweat glands. Depending on whether the excessive sweating is a predisposition or has psychological causes, psychotherapeutic treatment may also be considered.
Hypohidrosis – decreased sweating.
Decreased sweating or sweat secretion as in hypohidrosis is rarely pathological. However, there are diseases in which decreased sweat production up to its complete cessation (anhidrosis) is part of the symptom picture and causes discomfort:
- A very dry skin that ages quickly and tends to damage.
- Reduced tear and saliva production
- Sensitivity to temperature changes (both cold and heat are poorly tolerated).
- The tendency to heat accumulation and fever
Such hypohidrosis occurs, for example, in Fabry disease, diabetes mellitus, as a result of nerve damage or skin diseases, but can also be one of side effects of certain drugs (for example, antidepressants). Therapeutically, one can ultimately only do something symptomatically against the dry skin in hypohidrosis.
