Odour  The diagnosis of Bromhidrosis

The diagnosis of apocrine bromhidrosis can be easily made if the examiner has normal nasal function. There is, however, one very important distinction that must be made between the true bromhidrosis patient and the bromhidrosiphobic individual: the latter being people who have a morbid dread of bodily odours and unreal images about what they smell, or in this case, what they think they smell. This sensory delusion can be an early warning sign of schizophrenia. Olfactory hallucinations may also be a sign of neurological disease. By and large, people with apocrine bromhidrosis are not careless in their personal hygiene. They regularly cleanse their underarms (sometimes several times a day), usually with a germicidal soap. This accomplishes two things: the removal of the apocrine sweat, and temporary inhibition of the underarm bacteria.