Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsRisksSeeking Medical CareTreatmentCoping
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
Risks
Seeking Medical Care
Treatment
Coping
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 Sweat
Eccrine glands are located all over the body, with the highest concentrations in the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
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).
Chromhidrosis Symptoms and Body Parts
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 Chromhidrosis
The 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 Chromhidrosis
Seeing 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)orhematohidrosis (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 Sweating
Reducing 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 antibioticsas bacteria that produce colors can be the culprit.
Chronic Chromhidrosis and Coping
Normal 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 likebody odoror excessive sweating (hyperhidrosis).
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.
Summary
Colored sweat should be talked about with a healthcare provider so that they can figure out the cause and recommend a treatment plan accordingly.
6 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.International Hyperhidrosis Society.Chromhidrosis (colored sweat).DermNet.Eccrine chromhidrosis.Baker LB.Physiology of sweat gland function: The roles of sweating and sweat composition in human health.Temperature (Austin). 2019;6(3):211-259. doi:10.1080/23328940.2019.1632145DermNet.Apocrine chromhidrosis.MedlinePlus.Lipofuscin.DermNet.Pseudochromhidrosis.
6 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.International Hyperhidrosis Society.Chromhidrosis (colored sweat).DermNet.Eccrine chromhidrosis.Baker LB.Physiology of sweat gland function: The roles of sweating and sweat composition in human health.Temperature (Austin). 2019;6(3):211-259. doi:10.1080/23328940.2019.1632145DermNet.Apocrine chromhidrosis.MedlinePlus.Lipofuscin.DermNet.Pseudochromhidrosis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
International Hyperhidrosis Society.Chromhidrosis (colored sweat).DermNet.Eccrine chromhidrosis.Baker LB.Physiology of sweat gland function: The roles of sweating and sweat composition in human health.Temperature (Austin). 2019;6(3):211-259. doi:10.1080/23328940.2019.1632145DermNet.Apocrine chromhidrosis.MedlinePlus.Lipofuscin.DermNet.Pseudochromhidrosis.
International Hyperhidrosis Society.Chromhidrosis (colored sweat).
DermNet.Eccrine chromhidrosis.
Baker LB.Physiology of sweat gland function: The roles of sweating and sweat composition in human health.Temperature (Austin). 2019;6(3):211-259. doi:10.1080/23328940.2019.1632145
DermNet.Apocrine chromhidrosis.
MedlinePlus.Lipofuscin.
DermNet.Pseudochromhidrosis.
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