What does bromhidrosis refer to?

Bromhidrosis refers to foul-smelling perspiration, which occurs when the sweat produced on the skin is broken down by bacteria. This breakdown process can create unpleasant odors, commonly associated with areas of the body that have a high concentration of sweat glands, such as the armpits and feet. The term itself is derived from Greek, where "bromos" means "stench" or "foul" and "hidrosis" relates to perspiration. Understanding bromhidrosis is important for recognizing and addressing hygiene-related issues and potential social implications related to body odor.