Oregon Esthetician State Board

Excessive sweating at the feet or armpits, often leading to odor, is referred to as?

1. Milia

2. Excoriation

3. Bromidrosis

4. Scale

The correct answer is: Bromidrosis

The term for excessive sweating at the feet or armpits that often results in odor is bromidrosis. This condition involves the presence of perspiration combined with bacteria, leading to a foul smell. The glands in these areas produce sweat, which, when it interacts with skin bacteria, can generate an unpleasant odor. Milia refers to small, white cysts typically found on the skin and is not related to sweating or odor. Excoriation describes a form of skin damage resulting from scratching or abrasion, often associated with conditions that cause itching rather than sweating or odor. Scale is a term used to describe flakes or dry patches on the skin and is not connected to the issue of sweating or odor. Thus, bromidrosis specifically identifies the phenomenon of excessive sweating that is accompanied by an unpleasant smell.