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

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Chromhidrosis 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.

METHODS: Data were obtained from the medical records of 13 patients with colored sweating between October 2015 and November 2016 (7 infants <1 year of age, 5 adults, 1 adolescent).

RESULTS: Physical 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.

CONCLUSION: We propose that chronic exposure to water or devices that contain high amounts of heavy metal and ammonium may contribute to CH.