Why is bromhidrosis referred to as “axillary osmidrosis”?
Disease description:
My nephew emits a foul odor from his armpits every summer. After seeing a doctor, he was diagnosed with bromhidrosis. Why is bromhidrosis also called “axillary osmidrosis”?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Liu Wan
Axillary osmidrosis—commonly known as “fox odor” or bromhidrosis—is a condition characterized by the secretion of thick, pale-yellow sweat from the axillary (underarm) apocrine glands. This sweat contains abundant bacteria that metabolize it into unsaturated fatty acids, producing a distinctive, unpleasant odor. The odor closely resembles that emitted from a fox’s anal glands, hence the colloquial term “fox odor.” Numerous treatment options are available for fox odor, including traditional surgical excision of the apocrine glands, laser therapy, and localized botulinum toxin injections.
