Bromhidrosis (Body Odour) - Symptoms, Causes & Treatment
Medically reviewed by Dr. Anand S. Urhekar, MD, MD Pathology, Clinical Advisor · Last updated July 2026
Excessive or unusually offensive body odour caused by bacterial breakdown of apocrine sweat, most often in the armpits, groin and feet. It is worsened by hyperhidrosis, occlusive clothing, obesity and certain foods, and can cause significant social distress despite normal hygiene.
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Quick Answer
Bromhidrosis is excessive body odour produced when skin bacteria break down apocrine sweat into smelly fatty acids and ammonia. It affects the armpits, groin and feet most, and is aggravated by heavy sweating, synthetic clothing and obesity. Treatment includes antibacterial washes, aluminium chloride antiperspirants, hair removal, topical antibiotics such as clindamycin, and botulinum toxin or specialist procedures for severe cases.
Symptoms
- Persistent unpleasant odour despite normal washing
- Worst in armpits, groin and feet
- Often accompanied by heavy sweating
- Staining of clothing
- Social embarrassment and avoidance
Causes & Risk Factors
- Bacterial breakdown of apocrine sweat
- Hyperhidrosis increasing the substrate available
- Underarm hair trapping sweat and bacteria
- Occlusive synthetic clothing and footwear
- Diet (garlic, spices, alcohol), obesity, diabetes and rarely metabolic disorders
Treatment & Management
- Daily washing with antibacterial or benzoyl peroxide cleanser
- Aluminium chloride antiperspirant applied to dry skin at night
- Removing underarm hair
- Topical clindamycin or erythromycin
- Botulinum toxin injections; microwave or surgical treatment for refractory cases
When to See a Doctor
See a doctor if odour persists despite good hygiene and antiperspirants, if there is a sudden change in body odour, or if it is accompanied by weight loss, sweats or other symptoms — rare metabolic causes should be excluded.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is body odour caused by poor hygiene?
Usually not. Most people with bromhidrosis wash frequently. The problem is the quantity of apocrine sweat and the skin bacteria acting on it, which is why antibacterial and antiperspirant strategies work better than more washing alone.
Does removing underarm hair help?
Yes, meaningfully. Hair traps sweat and provides surface area for bacteria. Shaving or laser hair removal is one of the simplest effective measures.
Medical References
Information on this page is sourced from and verified against reputable medical resources:
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Medical Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. The content on this page should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problem. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for proper medical evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of your condition.