Chromhidrosis

CHROMIDIA, see Cell. CHROM(H)IDROSIS, chromhidrosis, stearrhola, colored sweat, a rarely occurring peculiar anomaly of perspiration, expressed by the abnormal coloration of sweat in various colors (yellow, red, green, blue, black). The coloring matter, secreted together with sweat, often of intense coloration, is deposited in the form of a fine powdery dust in the folds and grooves of the skin, accumulating especially in the mouths of the excretory ducts of the sweat glands. Chromhidrosis arises mostly on the lower eyelids, but can pass to the upper eyelids, forehead, cheeks, and capture the circumference of the mouth and nose. The affected areas appear sometimes painful and inflamed. Usually, chromhidrosis is not accompanied by subjective disorders, but can persist stubbornly sometimes for years. Some researchers believe that indigo is part of the coloring matter, others attribute the blue coloration to the action of pyocyanin. Chromhidrosis has also been observed after internal administration of certain alimentary and medicinal coloring substances or after their inhalation. Green, resp. bluish sweat can be secreted in workers dealing with copper; Clapton often noted this phenomenon in chronic poisoning by this metal. Collmann and Scherer saw in a patient taking iron preparations an indigo-blue coloration of sweat by sesquioxide of iron. In Temple's case, in a man using potassium iodide, a pinkish coloration of the hair on the beard and head was observed. From true chromhidrosis, one should distinguish cases of secretion of normal sweat colored due to the absorption of coloring matter from the outside. This coloration, mostly red or yellowish in color, is observed predominantly in the armpits and in the genital area and depends on the wearing of colored clothing. Sweat can also be colored after its secretion by a pigment produced by microorganisms located on the hair. Here, chromogenic bacteria play a large role, apparently identical with Leptothrix or Trichomycosis palmellina (Eberth, Balzer, Barthelemy, and others). Chromhidrosis in most cases occurs in young, hysterical, and anaemic women, in whom one can establish, along with nervous, mental, and digestive disorders, also menstruation anomalies. Chromhidrosis is often found in completely healthy subjects. The nature of the coloring matter and the mechanism of development of chromhidrosis are not yet clear. There is no doubt that the coloring matter, arising under the influence of nervous disorder, is not formed in the sweat glands, but comes from the blood, as evidenced by Maker's observation, where blue coloration of saliva was noted at times.-The diagnosis of chromhidrosis should be made with caution, taking into account the possibility of simulation. For this purpose, it is recommended to use Spring's method, i.e., to clean the colored places with oil and cover them with collodion, under which the colored sweat appears again.-Treatment boils down to removing the coloring matter with oil and eliminating the underlying affliction (intestinal and menstrual disorders). In general, from the use of therapeutic measures, not entirely satisfactory results are obtained, et al.