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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Sour Body Smell, Matted Hair, Heavy Set. Lack Of Hygiene Or Medical Condition?

I have a co-worker who is heavy set and she smells sour when she gets out of her chair or walks by, or in the bathroom it is awful. I don't know if this is lack of hygiene, or a medical condition. It seems to be getting worse. Sometimes it looks like she just crawls out of bed and comes to work (hair matted in the back). Any ideas?
Mon, 17 Jun 2013
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Dermatologist 's  Response
Hi

Thanks for your query

There is a medical condition called bromhidrosis.

Patients present with particularly offensive body odor that most commonly originates from the axillary region. However, the condition may also occur as genital or plantar bromhidrosis. The odor has been described as pungent, rancid, musty, or sour in character.

Inadequate hygiene and medical or dermatologic conditions associated with hyperhidrosis or overgrowth of bacteria may further contribute to its development. Examples include the following:
Obesity
Diabetes mellitus
Intertrigo
Erythrasma

Conservative measures, which aim to reduce bacterial florae and maintain a dry environment, include improved hygiene and topical therapy.
measures, such as adequate washing of the axillary vault, prompt removal of sweaty clothing, and the use of topical deodorant (which covers the odor and decreases bacterial counts) are beneficial in cases of apocrine bromhidrosis.

Use of topical antibiotics such as clindamycin and erythromycin and antiseptic soaps may yield clinical benefit by limiting the growth of the contributory bacteria .

Hope it helps

Dr Geetika Paul
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Sour Body Smell, Matted Hair, Heavy Set. Lack Of Hygiene Or Medical Condition?

Hi Thanks for your query There is a medical condition called bromhidrosis. Patients present with particularly offensive body odor that most commonly originates from the axillary region. However, the condition may also occur as genital or plantar bromhidrosis. The odor has been described as pungent, rancid, musty, or sour in character. Inadequate hygiene and medical or dermatologic conditions associated with hyperhidrosis or overgrowth of bacteria may further contribute to its development. Examples include the following: Obesity Diabetes mellitus Intertrigo Erythrasma Conservative measures, which aim to reduce bacterial florae and maintain a dry environment, include improved hygiene and topical therapy. measures, such as adequate washing of the axillary vault, prompt removal of sweaty clothing, and the use of topical deodorant (which covers the odor and decreases bacterial counts) are beneficial in cases of apocrine bromhidrosis. Use of topical antibiotics such as clindamycin and erythromycin and antiseptic soaps may yield clinical benefit by limiting the growth of the contributory bacteria . Hope it helps Dr Geetika Paul