Axillary trichomycosis is a harmless growth of bacteria on the hairs in the armpits. The condition produces hard nodules that adhere to the hair, which are cosmetically unattractive. Antibacterial soap or hair shaving can solve the problem.
The bacterium Corynebacterium usually causes the condition. Most of the time, Corynebacterium tenuis is the specific species involved. The bacteria grow together in a group on the hair shaft. Axillary trichomycosis is not dangerous in itself and is not a symptom of any serious condition.
Both men and women can have the condition. Women in many countries tend to shave under their arms, so it may be more prevalent in men in those areas for that reason. The condition can appear at any age from puberty onwards. Found throughout the world, axillary trichomycosis is found in countries with hot or cold climates.
Sometimes axillary trichomycosis simply makes the armpits smell unpleasant and the bacterial clusters are not obvious. With a thorough inspection, the sufferer can see the clumps of bacterial growth on the armpit hairs. These can be yellow, black or red and surround the hair. The group's colors can also affect the color of a person's sweat and can stain the armpits of clothing.
The hair may look like there are pearls or it may look thicker than normal. Clusters are most commonly yellow in temperate countries, although people in tropical countries may also have red or black clusters. The bacteria usually stay on the outside of the hair shaft, but in some rare cases, they enter the hair and destroy it.
Although the condition is harmless, the clumps can be unpleasant. The easiest way to solve the problem is to shave or trim your armpit hair, thus removing clumps of bacteria. Another way to keep the problem under control is to use antiperspirants regularly to keep sweat production down.
Medication can also be helpful in killing the bacteria. Erythromycin and clindamycin creams may help. Benzoyl peroxide cleansing agents are another potentially useful preparation. If the patient can keep the armpits dry and clean, they can prevent bacteria from getting out of control again.
A similar condition can also affect the hairs of the genital tract. In this case, it is called trichomycosis pubis. The genital and armpit regions are the regions usually affected because these areas are moister than other parts of the body.