The skin contains two types of sudoriferous glands, the eccrine and apocrine, whose secretions can cause problematic body odour. The eccrine glands, found in large numbers all over the body, secrete a watery liquid known as perspiration which helps control body temperature, this liquid is normally odourless unless it is contaminated with other secretions or skin debris, that can lead to the production of unpleasant odours.

The apocrine glands are far fewer in number, mostly found underarms (axilla) and in the ano-genital area, these glands produce small amounts of a waxy substance into nearby hair follicles, however, the amount of wax produced by Bromhydrosis sufferers is far greater than normal. It is the action of the normally occurring bacterial skin flora in breaking down the excessive amounts of this “waxy food” that causes the problematic odours. Successful treatment therefore depends on reducing the skin bacteria and apocrine gland activity.