Chromhidrosis Linked to Personal Care Products

TL;DR

This paper reports two cases where colored personal care products caused a rare condition called chromhidrosis, where sweat appears colored.

Contribution

It is the first to document a link between over-the-counter personal care products and eccrine chromhidrosis.

Findings

Two cases of eccrine chromhidrosis were linked to personal care products containing specific colorants.

The products contained FD&C Blue No. 1, D&C Red No. 33, and Ext. D&C Violet No. 2.

Healthcare professionals should consider colored personal care products in diagnosing chromhidrosis.

Abstract

Eccrine chromhidrosis (CH) is a rare condition characterized by the excretion of colored sweat from eccrine glands. This case report contributes to the medical literature by highlighting two instances of eccrine CH linked to over-the-counter personal care products, an association not previously documented. These products contained FD&C Blue No. 1, D&C Red No. 33, and Ext. D&C Violet No. 2, which are known colorants in various consumer items. These cases underscore the potential for personal care products containing colored dyes to cause eccrine CH. The medical community and consumers must be vigilant about product ingredients to facilitate an accurate diagnosis and promote informed usage. Healthcare professionals should consider the role of colored personal care products in their differential diagnosis of CH to recognize and address potential risks effectively. These cases emphasize the need to actively include colored personal care products in medical considerations to ensure that healthcare practices and consumer awareness properly recognize and address potential risks associated with these products.

Figures