Summary about Disease
Chromhidrosis is a rare condition characterized by the secretion of colored sweat. The sweat can be black, blue, green, yellow, or brown. It is a chronic condition with no cure.
Symptoms
The primary symptom is colored sweat, usually in the armpits (axillary), face, or areola (around the nipple). The color can vary. The sweating is not usually associated with increased sweat volume or odor. Some people may experience slight itching or discomfort.
Causes
There are two main types:
Apocrine chromhidrosis: Caused by the production of lipofuscin, a pigment, in the apocrine sweat glands. This pigment can fluoresce under ultraviolet light.
Eccrine chromhidrosis: Much rarer, typically involves the introduction of dyes or chemicals into the sweat glands, either internally (ingested medications or dyes) or externally (contact with colored substances). Pseudo chromhidrosis can occur when colorless sweat mixes with chemicals on the skin.
Medicine Used
There is no single, universally effective treatment. Options may include:
Topical capsaicin: May deplete neuropeptides in nerve fibers, reducing sweating.
Botulinum toxin (Botox) injections: Can temporarily paralyze the muscles that stimulate sweat glands.
Topical clonazepam: Can reduce the frequency of sweating
In severe cases, surgery: To remove apocrine sweat glands, may be considered as a last resort.
Is Communicable
No, chromhidrosis is not communicable (not contagious). It is not caused by an infection and cannot be spread to other people.
Precautions
There are no specific precautions to prevent chromhidrosis, as it is often related to internal factors. General measures include:
Good hygiene: Regular washing of the affected area.
Avoidance of triggers: If a specific food, activity, or substance is identified as a trigger, avoid it.
Consultation with a dermatologist: For proper diagnosis and management.
How long does an outbreak last?
Chromhidrosis is a chronic condition, meaning it is persistent and ongoing. There are not exactly "outbreaks". Rather, it is persistent or intermittent secretion of colored sweat. The duration of the symptoms varies from person to person and can last for years. The effectiveness of treatment also varies.
How is it diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically involves:
Physical examination: Visual assessment of the colored sweat.
Patient history: Including medications, diet, and potential exposure to dyes or chemicals.
Microscopic examination of sweat: To identify lipofuscin granules.
Wood's lamp examination: Ultraviolet light can make lipofuscin in apocrine sweat fluoresce.
Rule out other causes: Other conditions with similar symptoms need to be excluded.
Timeline of Symptoms
Onset: Can occur at any age, but apocrine chromhidrosis typically begins around puberty.
Progression: Usually a gradual onset of colored sweating.
Duration: Chronic, with symptoms persisting for years.
Variability: The frequency and intensity of colored sweating may fluctuate.
Important Considerations
Psychological impact: Chromhidrosis can cause significant distress and impact quality of life due to social embarrassment.
Differential diagnosis: It's essential to rule out other causes of colored sweat, such as contact with dyes or medications.
Treatment goals: Management aims to reduce the frequency and severity of symptoms and improve quality of life. The success of treatments varies.
Reassurance: The condition is not harmful to physical health, although the psychological impact can be significant.