Thank you for the information. What you have is called Bromhidrosis. This can be a very frustrating problem to treat both for the patient and physician.

The cause of the odour is often an overgrowth of surface bacteria in the arm pits and other body areas coupled with excessive secretion from apocrine glands (these are the glands responsible for every persons characteristic body odour). These bacteria break down the fatty component of apocrine secretions leading to the formation of foul smelling molecules and these are responsible for the bad body odour.

Here is what I would recommend:

Use an anti perspirant like Driclor lotion/spray twice a day in the arm pits. Before applying the antiperspirant use 1% Clindamycin lotion over the affected areas.

Zeasorb-AF powder twice a day applied 10-15 minutes after the Driclor

An antibacterial soap containing triclosan (e.g. soapex, dial antibacterial soap, medsop) for bathing daily

If you're overweight then getting on an exercise regimen to reduce the weight will also help by causing less folds/bunching up of skin in the axillary region (arm-pits) thereby decreasing the sweating/oily secretions in the area. This will also help reduce the darkening.

Shaving of the hair in the arm-pits. Do this carefully only in the direction of hair growth to prevent ingrown hair. Permanent hair removal by laser/electrolysis is also an option.

If this does not give desired results then a 6 week course of oral tetracycline can be considered but this will require a prescription. I would recommend Capsule Doxycycline 100 mg twice a day.

Of the above the Clindamycin lotion and the Doxycycline will require a prescription and should be discussed with your doctor. The rest can be started straightaway.

Please let me know if you require any clarification regarding my answer. Regards.

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