Chromhidrosis due to exogenous oxidizing heavy metals: Clinical and laboratory findings

Abstract

Background/ObjectivesChromhidrosis is a rare condition of which there are only a few case reports in the literature. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical, laboratory, and possible environmental factors in 13 patients with chromhidrosis to elucidate causative agents. MethodsData were obtained from the medical records of 13 patients with colored sweating between October 2015 and November 2016 (7 infants <1year of age, 5 adults, 1 adolescent). ResultsPhysical examination was normal in all patients. Nine of 12 had high calculated serum free copper (75%). Urine glutamine was measured in 13 patients and was high in 11 (84.6%). Ten patients drank natural mineral water from Uludag Mountain, and two were exposed to an intrauterine device containing copper. One patient (8%) was not exposed to Uludag Mountain natural water or an intrauterine device. ConclusionWe propose that chronic exposure to water or devices that contain high amounts of heavy metal and ammonium may contribute to CH.