Bad Body Odor: Bromhidrosis, Hyperhidrosis and Modern Treatments

• August 31, 2025
• By Fernando Amato

Bad body odor is a common complaint in medical offices and can cause great embarrassment. This condition, known as bromhidrosis, is intimately related to the presence of bacteria that decompose the secretion produced by apocrine glands, especially in the armpits and genital area.

Excessive sweating can therefore cause much more than discomfort: it can generate an unpleasant odor, affecting self-esteem, social, and professional life.

Thus, in many patients, bromhidrosis is associated with hyperhidrosis, a condition characterized by excessive sweat production. This combination further intensifies the problem, creating an environment conducive to bacterial proliferation and bad odor.

Fortunately, there are several treatment options, ranging from simple hygiene measures to modern procedures, such as radiofrequency and lipolaser, which offer lasting results and improved quality of life.

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Article Highlights

• 💧 Hyperhidrosis: excessive sweating beyond physiological needs
• 👃 Bromhidrosis: unpleasant odor caused by bacterial action on sweat
• 🔗 Often, both conditions are related
• ⚡ New treatments: radiofrequency and lipolaser as effective alternatives
• 🙌 Significant improvement in self-esteem and social life after treatment

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What is Hyperhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is, however, a condition characterized by the exaggerated production of sweat, beyond the need to maintain a stable body temperature.

Forms of hyperhidrosis

• Primary (idiopathic): usually localized (armpits, palms, soles, face), begins in childhood or adolescence, without apparent cause.
• Secondary: associated with systemic diseases (endocrine, infectious, neurological) or the use of medications.

Impact on the patient's life

Excessive sweating can thus generate difficulties at work, social embarrassment and even isolation. Constant humidity also favors fungal and bacterial infections.

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What is Bromhidrosis?

Bromhidrosis is defined as unpleasant body odor, mainly in the armpits and genital area.

Main associated factors

• Hyperhidrosis: excess sweat creates an ideal environment for bacteria
• Poor hygiene or use of synthetic clothing
• Hormonal changes (puberty, menstrual cycle)
• Diet rich in strong foods (garlic, onion, spices)
• Skin infections

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Relationship between Hyperhidrosis and Bromhidrosis

Axillary hyperhidrosis often potentiates bromhidrosis, as abundant sweat keeps the skin moist and favors bacterial multiplication.

Therefore, treatments that reduce sweat glands can act on both conditions. Thus, procedures such as axillary curettage, axillary liposuction and, more recently, radiofrequency and lipolaser, are increasingly sought after options.

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Treatments for Bad Body Odor

1. Conservative measures

• Strict hygiene with antiseptic soaps
• Deodorants and antiperspirants (aluminum chloride)
• Light and breathable clothing
• Topical antibiotics in specific cases

2. Botulinum toxin

However, the application of botulinum toxin in the armpits temporarily blocks the nerves that stimulate sweat production, reducing the problem for 6 to 9 months.

3. Traditional surgical procedures

• Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy (ETS): indicated in severe cases of hyperhidrosis.
• Curettage or axillary liposuction: selective removal of sweat glands, thus treating both hyperhidrosis and bromhidrosis.

4.Modern treatments: radiofrequency and lipolaser

Radiofrequency

Thus, radiofrequency uses controlled thermal energy to selectively destroy sweat glands. Therefore, the procedure is minimally invasive, with rapid recovery and lasting results.

Lipolaser

Lipolaser is therefore a technique that combines liposuction with laser energy, destroying the apocrine glands responsible for the odor. In addition, it promotes skin retraction, being an effective and safe option.

Therefore, these methods represent advances in the treatment of bromhidrosis, offering a less invasive alternative with better aesthetic results.

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Quality of Life After Treatment

Treated patients report significant improvement in:

• Self-confidence
• Social and emotional life
• Work performance
• Freedom to choose light-colored and light clothing

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FAQ (schema.org/FAQPage)

1. What causes bad body odor?

Mainly the action of bacteria on the sweat from apocrine glands.

2. What is the difference between hyperhidrosis and bromhidrosis?

Hyperhidrosis is excessive sweating, bromhidrosis is sweat with a bad odor.

3. Does hygiene alone resolve bromhidrosis?

Not always. In persistent cases, medical treatment may be necessary.

4. Do antiperspirants work against odor?

Yes, especially those containing aluminum chloride.

5. Does botulinum toxin help against bad odor?

It helps indirectly, by reducing the sweat that feeds bacteria.

6. Is radiofrequency effective?

Yes, it is a modern technique that destroys sweat glands in the armpits.

7. Does lipolaser eliminate the problem definitively?

It significantly reduces the number of glands, offering lasting results.

8. Is there a definitive surgery?

Yes, direct excision or axillary curettage can remove the glands.

9. Who can undergo sympathectomy?

Patients with severe hyperhidrosis refractory to other treatments.

10. Does treatment improve quality of life?

Yes, studies show a great positive impact on self-esteem.

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