Armpit odor

Japanese: 腋臭症 - えきしゅうしょう

Colloquially known as wakiga, this condition refers to sweat from the armpits (axillae) that gives off an abnormal odor. Sweat secreted from the apocrine glands undergoes chemical changes due to bacteria on the surface of the skin, causing the odor, and becomes noticeable during adolescence. It is hereditary, and is often accompanied by soft ear wax due to one's constitution, and is usually accompanied by hyperhidrosis. The odor becomes stronger when sweating becomes more noticeable due to psychological factors, heat, drinking alcohol, etc., or when localized cleanliness of the armpits is lacking. In some cases, there is a neurotic element to the condition, such as the patient being the only one concerned about it.

[Hiromi Mizutani]

Conservative treatment

First, the armpits are cleaned and shaved. Armpit hair is a gathering place for armpit secretions, dirt, and bacteria, and can be the source of bad odors. Shave the hair as short as possible and keep it clean. Use a razor or depilatory cream, or remove the hairs one by one. Also, use soap containing a disinfectant on a regular basis. Additionally, use a topical application. Liquids containing aluminum chloride are often used as antiperspirants. These not only suppress sweating but also have a disinfecting effect. They are even more effective when used in combination with an ointment containing an antibiotic.

[Hiromi Mizutani]

Definitive treatment

There are several ways to do this:

(1) Although axillary skin excision is currently the most widely performed method, it is not considered a simple operation, as the scars are easily noticeable and the local area needs to be immobilized for about one month after surgery. In addition, the excision is often small due to concerns about scars.

(2) Electrosurgery uses an electric current to destroy hair follicles one by one, blocking the outlet of the apocrine glands but leaving the eccrine glands intact, so it does not cure excessive sweating.

(3) The subcutaneous tissue removal method, invented by Masumi Inaba and also called the Inaba method, is a method of removing subcutaneous tissue including eccrine and apocrine glands using a sharp blade of a special subcutaneous tissue remover made for this purpose. A method of postoperative pressure fixation has also been devised, called the tie over method.

Other methods include suction, ultrasound, and a combination of these. Surgery can significantly reduce the odor, but it is difficult to eliminate it completely.

[Hiromi Mizutani]

[Reference items] | Sweat | Sweat glands | Hyperhidrosis

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

Japanese:

俗にわきがともいい、わきの下（腋窩(えきか)）の汗が異常な臭気を発するものをいう。アポクリン腺(せん)から分泌される汗が皮膚表面の細菌によって化学変化を受けて臭気を発し、思春期に顕著になる。遺伝性で、体質的に軟耳脂（軟らかい耳垢(みみあか)）を伴うことが多く、通常は多汗症を合併する。精神的な原因、温熱、飲酒などで発汗が顕著になったり、腋窩の局所的清潔を欠く場合などには臭気が強くなる。なかには自分だけ気にしているといった神経症的要素もある。

［水谷ひろみ］

保存的療法

まず腋窩の清拭(せいしき)と剃毛(ていもう)がある。わきの下の毛は、腋窩分泌物、垢、細菌などの集合場所で悪臭のもとになる。できるだけ短く剃毛し、清潔に保つようにする。かみそり、脱毛クリームなどを用いるか、1本ずつ抜去する。また、殺菌剤を含むせっけんを常用する。さらに局所塗布剤を使用する。制汗剤としては塩化アルミニウム入りの液剤がよく使われる。これは発汗を抑制するとともに殺菌作用も兼ねている。これに抗生物質含有軟膏(なんこう)を併用すれば、さらに有効である。

［水谷ひろみ］