What causes axillary odor?
Disease description:
While chatting with a colleague, he told me that his child has developed body odor under the armpits and wanted to know what causes body odor under the arms.
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Wang Xiaoyan
Axillary odor, also known as bromhidrosis, is mainly caused by the following factors:
1. **Genetic factors**: Axillary odor has a hereditary tendency. If there is a family history of axillary odor, the risk of developing the condition increases. Genetic factors play a significant role in its occurrence. Axillary odor is considered an autosomal dominant inherited disorder.
2. **Overactive apocrine glands**: Excessive secretion from the apocrine glands in the armpit area leads to the production of sweat. When this sweat interacts with bacteria on the skin surface, it breaks down and produces a distinctive odor. Particularly during puberty, increased secretion of sex hormones makes the apocrine glands more active, which may intensify the symptoms of axillary odor.
3. **Bacterial proliferation**: The warm and humid environment of the armpits provides ideal conditions for bacterial growth. Bacteria break down organic substances in sweat, producing compounds such as ammonia and fatty acids, which result in unpleasant odors.
4. **Poor lifestyle habits**: Poor personal hygiene habits, such as infrequent bathing and failure to change clothes regularly, can lead to sweat accumulation in the armpit area, creating favorable conditions for bacterial proliferation and thus worsening the symptoms of axillary odor.
