A rare condition characterized by the secretion of colored sweat.
It is caused by the deposition of lipofuscin in the sweat glands, with red, blue, green, yellow, orange and black sweat.
Color of sweat depends on oxidation of lipofuscin granules.
Usually apocrine glands, mainly on the face and underarms.
Involvement of the eccrine glands is rare, it occurs mainly after the ingestion of certain dyes or drugs.
Chromogenic pigments produced by bacteria are implicated in this condition.
Female predominance.
Usually begins in puberty when apocrine secretion is activated.
Most cases idiopathic.
Exacerbated by physical activity, increased ambient temperature, emotional distress, and mechanical stimulation.
May be related to ingestion of drugs and dyes.
Localized phenomenon.
Most common on the face, axillae and breast areolae.
Eccrine involvement associated with good prognosis if offending agents can be eliminated.
Apocrine disease is a chronic process that persists throughout life, and decreases with advancing age.
Goal of treatment is reducing sweat output.
Treatment options: topical aluminum chloride, hexahydrate, topical capsaicin cream, type A botulinum toxin injection.
Aluminum chloride hexahydrate blocks sweat ducts, capsaicin depletes substance P levels in C sensory fibers, and botulinum type A toxin prevents release of acetylcholine at presynaptic motor neuromuscular plate.