Chromhidrosis Causes and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Isabel Casimiro, MD, PhDMedically reviewed by Isabel Casimiro, MD, PhDChromhidrosis is a condition characterized by colored sweat.Different parts of the body can be affected by chromhidrosis, depending on the type of chromhidrosis and where the affected glands are located. For example, colored sweat may appear on the scalp, face, armpits, breasts, perineum (the spot between the genitals and anus), palms of the hands, and soles of the feet.This article talks about the causes of each type of chromhidrosis, what symptoms look like and where they show up, and how to manage chromhidrosis.
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Causes of Colored SweatThe causes of chromhidrosis differ by the type of chromhidrosis. Eccrine chromhidrosis is caused by natural or synthetic chemicals excreted from the eccrine sweat glands, such as food, dyes, or medications. For example, eccrine chromhidrosis can be caused by the following:Eating large amounts of foods with beta-carotene, an organic compound that gives red, orange, and yellow fruits and vegetables their colorIngesting metals, including copper and mercuryTaking certain medications, including quinine, tartrazine-coated bisacodyl laxatives, clofazimine, rifampicin, and methylene blue (a lab-made dye)Having high amounts of urea in the blood (uremia), which may be a sign of serious kidney problemsHaving high amounts of bilirubin in the blood (hyperbilirubinemia)Eccrine glands are located all over the body, with the highest concentrations in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet. Apocrine chromhidrosis is caused by a buildup of lipofuscin granules in the apocrine sweat glands. Lipofuscin, known as an “aging pigment,” is yellow-brown in color and occurs in certain body organs due to cell age. It's also produced in the apocrine sweat glands.It’s unknown why high amounts of lipofuscin might accumulate in the apocrine glands and lead to colored sweat. The apocrine sweat glands are mainly located in the scalp, face, armpits, breasts, and perineum (the area between the genitals and anus).Pseudochromhidrosis can look like the other types of chromhidrosis but isn’t caused by something in the glands. Rather, it occurs when sweat mixes with something on the skin's surface, such as dyes from clothing or bacteria that produce colors (chromogenic bacteria). For example, the aluminum in some deodorants mixed with sweat is known to cause yellow sweat stains on white clothes.Chromhidrosis Symptoms and Body PartsEccrine chromhidrosis can occur anywhere on the body but is most common on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, where the eccrine glands are concentrated. The sweat caused by eccrine chromhidrosis can be many colors, including red, orange, yellow, green, blue, brown, black, or white, depending on the color of the chemical responsible.Apocrine chromhidrosis usually occurs in the face (especially the cheeks), armpits, breast (specifically the areola—the dark skin around the nipple), and the area near the anus and genitals. Colored sweat may be black, brown, blue, green, or yellow due to apocrine chromhidrosis. This is due to oxidation (a chemical process) of the lipofuscin in the glands. Colored sweat from apocrine chromhidrosis usually occurs after emotional stress or exercise.Both eccrine and apocrine chromhidrosis can cause embarrassing sweat marks on the body or clothing. People with chromhidrosis may need to change their clothing multiple times a day.Some people with chromhidrosis say that they get warm or have a prickling sensation before the colored sweat appears. Some may have such mildly colored sweat and don’t really notice it.Risks of ChromhidrosisThe risks of chromhidrosis depend on the cause. For example, colored sweat from consuming a lot of beta-carotene has different risks than colored sweat due to uremia, which can indicate a serious kidney issue. If you have colored sweat, talk to a healthcare provider so that they can determine the underlying cause and determine the next steps accordingly.Seeing a Provider for ChromhidrosisSeeing colored sweat on your skin or clothes can be concerning. A healthcare provider can determine a cause and treatment A healthcare provider will likely rule out other conditions that could cause colored sweat, such as vesicular hand eczema (a chronic skin condition) or hematohidrosis (sweating blood).A skin examination, skin biopsy (removing a sample of skin for analysis in a lab), or other tests may need to be done to figure out the cause of colored sweat and the type of chromhidrosis, if that is determined to be the cause.How to Reduce Chromhidrosis SweatingReducing or preventing colored sweat will depend on its cause. Depending on the type of chromhidrosis, a healthcare provider can help you figure out the best management or treatment options. For example, temporary treatments for apocrine chromhidrosis may include a topical cream or Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) injections. These treatments will need to be ongoing for continued results. For eccrine chromhidrosis, treating the underlying condition or eliminating the substance that’s causing it (such as a medication) will help prevent colored sweat. Similarly, treating pseudochromhidrosis means removing the external substance, such as using a deodorant without aluminum. Treatment for pseudochromhidrosis commonly involves an antiseptic soap and/or antibiotics as bacteria that produce colors can be the culprit.Chronic Chromhidrosis and CopingNormal sweating and the subsequent sweat marks can be embarrassing, even if the sweat is colored. This can be hard to cope with on top of other things like body odor or excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis).Some types of chromhidrosis are temporary and will go away by addressing the underlying cause. Apocrine chromhidrosis, however, is a chronic condition. In apocrine chromhidrosis, the body makes excessive amounts of lipofuscin or processes lipofuscin at a higher-than-normal rate. It’s not known why this happens.Chronic chromhidrosis can be tiring and embarrassing to deal with on an ongoing basis, especially when it appears on visible body parts, such as the face. If you have chronic chromhidrosis, talk to a healthcare provider about how to manage it effectively and sustainably so that you can feel your best.SummaryChromhidrosis is a condition causing colored sweat. There are three types of chromhidrosis: eccrine chromhidrosis, apocrine chromhidrosis, and pseudochromhidrosis. Chromhidrosis can be treated and managed by addressing the underlying cause, but for apocrine chromhidrosis, which is chronic, treatment will need to be ongoing.Colored sweat should be talked about with a healthcare provider so that they can figure out the cause and recommend a treatment plan accordingly. Read the original article on Verywell Health.
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