What Causes Axillary Odor?
Disease description:
I am a very clean person and shower daily, yet I constantly experience an unpleasant sour odor under my arms. After visiting the hospital, I was diagnosed with axillary osmidrosis (bromhidrosis). What causes this condition?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Wan
Axillary odor (bromhidrosis) may be caused by genetic factors. Some individuals have a high density of apocrine glands in the axillae; during hot weather, these glands secrete abundant sweat. Because the underarm area is poorly ventilated, sweat accumulates and undergoes bacterial fermentation, producing an unpleasant odor. During puberty, apocrine gland activity is naturally heightened in adolescents; when organic substances in the sweat are broken down by bacteria, large amounts of unsaturated fatty acids are generated—contributing further to odor production. Additionally, the particularly offensive nature of this odor (often termed “fox odor”) is partly attributable to inadequate personal hygiene practices.
