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Chromhidrosis is a rare condition causing pigmented sweat

Question asked:

“Chromhidrosis is a rare condition in which sweat becomes pigmented due to accumulation of lipofuscin in apocrine sweat glands.”
True
Confidence: High Checked on September 19, 2026

Summary

Chromhidrosis is indeed a rare disorder characterized by pigmented sweat. The pigmentation results from the accumulation of lipofuscin granules within the apocrine sweat glands. This explanation is consistently reported across medical references.

Sources 59 searched

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  • Chromhidrosis - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf

    In 1954 Walter Shelley and Harry Hurley determined that lipofuscin granules are responsible for the pigmentation of the sweat seen in apocrine chromhidrosis. Lipofuscin is a yellow-brown pigment that is usually found in the cytoplasm of cells of various organs and is not specific to apocrine ...

  • Histology, Lipofuscin - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf - NIH

    Identification of extensive lipofuscin granules in apocrine glands helps differentiate the etiologic process from toxin-induced pseudochromhidrosis and extrinsic pigment–induced eccrine chromhidrosis.[35] The role of lipofuscin in most other pathologies remains poorly defined. The correlation between age-related macular degeneration and lipofuscin accumulation has been hypothesized but remains highly controversial.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
sciencedirect.com
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  • Pink Eccrine Chromhidrosis Induced by Excessive Consumption of an Energy Drink - PMC

    The histology of the skin biopsy taken from the axilla was non-specific, providing no evidence of pseudochromhidrosis and revealing no lipofuscin granules in the apocrine glands. In the absence of an aetiology, further questioning, particularly about the patient's dietary habits, revealed an excessive consumption of a pink energy drink, which had been consumed daily for months. The diagnosis of eccrine chromhidrosis due to food colouring was therefore considered.

dermnetnz.org
  • Apocrine chromhidrosis

    ... Apocrine chromhidrosis is rare. It usually starts after puberty once the apocrine glands have matured, but has also been reported in infants. Chromhidrosis occurs in both sexes. Apocrine chromhidrosis is due to lipofuscin granules in the apocrine sweat glands.

en.wikipedia.org
  • Chromhidrosis - Wikipedia

    It is caused by the deposition of lipofuscin in the sweat glands. Cases of red, blue, green, yellow, pink, and black sweat have been reported. Usually, chromhidrosis affects the apocrine glands, mainly on the face and underarms. A limited number of treatment options exist, including regular application of capsaicin cream, and prolonged relief may be provided by botulinum toxin treatment. Chromogenic pigments ...

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