Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentFAQs
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
FAQs
Trichomycosisis a mild bacterial infection that mainly affects theaxilla, also referred to as the armpit. Other areas of the body, such as the scalp, genitals, or buttocks, can also be affected.
While the infection itself isn’t serious and often comes without any symptoms, it can be uncomfortable.How common the infection is isn’t known since it is not often reported due to a lack of symptoms.
This article discusses symptoms and causes of trichomycosis, as well as how it is diagnosed and treated.
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Trichomycosis Symptoms
While many people with trichomycosis experience no symptoms at all, symptoms can develop. The symptoms are not severe and can cause mild discomfort in the armpit area, the groin, or the area between the buttocks.
Signs of infection from trichomycosis include:
Trichomycosis isn’t severe or serious in nature, and there are no complications associated with the infection.
While the infection itself generally isn’t passed from person to person, there are some risk factors that make it more likely for someone to get it. These risk factors include:
Can Shaving Your Underarms Prevent Trichomycosis?Since bacteria target the hair in the armpit, shaving can help reduce your risk of getting trichomycosis.
Can Shaving Your Underarms Prevent Trichomycosis?
Since bacteria target the hair in the armpit, shaving can help reduce your risk of getting trichomycosis.
Many people don’t notice they have trichomycosis, and diagnosing it doesn’t come with any specific test. Typically, your healthcare provider will conduct a physical exam to check for signs such as the red, yellow, and black bead-like nodules that appear on the hair shaft and other signs of infection.
If more information is needed to make a diagnosis, a solution ofpotassium hydroxidewill be used to help determine if the bacterium is present on the body.
In some cases, a wood’s light exam will be used. This type of test utilizes ultraviolet light to identify the colonization of bacteria on the skin.
Does Trichomycosis Get Worse If It Goes Untreated?While the infection itself won’t become any more severe, it can spread to other parts of the body if it is not diagnosed and treated.
Does Trichomycosis Get Worse If It Goes Untreated?
While the infection itself won’t become any more severe, it can spread to other parts of the body if it is not diagnosed and treated.
The antibiotic typically used iserythromycin. However, other types of antibiotics, such asclindamycin, may be used, as well as antifungal medication known asclotrimazole.
Trichomycosis PreventionOnce the infection has cleared, you can use drying powders and ammonium chloride to stop excessive sweating. This should help ensure that the infection doesn’t return. Continuing to shave the hair can also help prevent infection or recurrence of the condition.
Trichomycosis Prevention
Once the infection has cleared, you can use drying powders and ammonium chloride to stop excessive sweating. This should help ensure that the infection doesn’t return. Continuing to shave the hair can also help prevent infection or recurrence of the condition.
Summary
A Word From Verywell
People may have trichomycosis and not even know it. While it’s scary to think you might have an infection and not be aware of it, having trichomycosis is not serious and doesn’t do any harm to your health. If you suspect you have the infection, make an appointment with your healthcare provider. A provider will be able to diagnose the condition so you can begin easy and effective treatment.
Frequently Asked QuestionsSometimes. Trichomycosis can lead to smelly underarms if a person has the infection. Not many people realize they have it at all, though, in which case it does not cause an odor.While the infection typically occurs in the armpits, it can spread to the genital area and between the buttocks. If it does travel to these areas, the treatment course is the same. You will be required to shave the area and potentially use antibiotic creams to rid your body of the bacteria.While not all people will experience a change in the color of their sweat, some might. In the event that they do, the sweat can be either black, yellow, or red, which can stain clothing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes. Trichomycosis can lead to smelly underarms if a person has the infection. Not many people realize they have it at all, though, in which case it does not cause an odor.
While the infection typically occurs in the armpits, it can spread to the genital area and between the buttocks. If it does travel to these areas, the treatment course is the same. You will be required to shave the area and potentially use antibiotic creams to rid your body of the bacteria.
While not all people will experience a change in the color of their sweat, some might. In the event that they do, the sweat can be either black, yellow, or red, which can stain clothing.
4 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.Bonifaz A, Váquez-González D, Fierro L, Araiza J, Ponce RM.Trichomycosis (trichobacteriosis): clinical and microbiological experience with 56 cases.Int J Trichology.2013;5(1):12-16. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.114704Zawar V.Photoletter to the editor: Trichomycosis (trichobacteriosis) axillaris.J Dermatol Case Rep.2011;5(2):36-7. doi:10.3315/jdcr.2011.1071DermNet.Trichomycosis axillaris.Bonifaz A, Váquez-González D, Fierro L, Araiza J, Ponce RM.Trichomycosis (trichobacteriosis): clinical and microbiological experience with 56 cases.Int J Trichology.2013;5(1):12-16. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.114704
4 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.Bonifaz A, Váquez-González D, Fierro L, Araiza J, Ponce RM.Trichomycosis (trichobacteriosis): clinical and microbiological experience with 56 cases.Int J Trichology.2013;5(1):12-16. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.114704Zawar V.Photoletter to the editor: Trichomycosis (trichobacteriosis) axillaris.J Dermatol Case Rep.2011;5(2):36-7. doi:10.3315/jdcr.2011.1071DermNet.Trichomycosis axillaris.Bonifaz A, Váquez-González D, Fierro L, Araiza J, Ponce RM.Trichomycosis (trichobacteriosis): clinical and microbiological experience with 56 cases.Int J Trichology.2013;5(1):12-16. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.114704
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.
Bonifaz A, Váquez-González D, Fierro L, Araiza J, Ponce RM.Trichomycosis (trichobacteriosis): clinical and microbiological experience with 56 cases.Int J Trichology.2013;5(1):12-16. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.114704Zawar V.Photoletter to the editor: Trichomycosis (trichobacteriosis) axillaris.J Dermatol Case Rep.2011;5(2):36-7. doi:10.3315/jdcr.2011.1071DermNet.Trichomycosis axillaris.Bonifaz A, Váquez-González D, Fierro L, Araiza J, Ponce RM.Trichomycosis (trichobacteriosis): clinical and microbiological experience with 56 cases.Int J Trichology.2013;5(1):12-16. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.114704
Bonifaz A, Váquez-González D, Fierro L, Araiza J, Ponce RM.Trichomycosis (trichobacteriosis): clinical and microbiological experience with 56 cases.Int J Trichology.2013;5(1):12-16. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.114704
Zawar V.Photoletter to the editor: Trichomycosis (trichobacteriosis) axillaris.J Dermatol Case Rep.2011;5(2):36-7. doi:10.3315/jdcr.2011.1071
DermNet.Trichomycosis axillaris.
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