Clogged Sweat Glands Armpit May 2026

1. Introduction Clogged sweat glands in the armpit are a common but often misunderstood condition. The axilla contains a high density of two distinct types of sweat glands—eccrine and apocrine—each with different functions and susceptibilities to blockage. Obstruction can lead to several clinical entities, ranging from benign and self-limiting (e.g., miliaria) to chronic, inflammatory, and scarring diseases (e.g., hidradenitis suppurativa). Proper diagnosis is critical, as mismanagement can worsen outcomes. 2. Anatomy & Physiology of Axillary Sweat Glands | Feature | Eccrine Glands | Apocrine Glands | |---------|----------------|------------------| | Distribution | Entire skin, dense in palms, soles, axillae | Mainly axillae, groin, perineum, areolae | | Duct opening | Directly onto skin surface | Into hair follicle (pilosebaceous unit) | | Secretion | Watery, hypotonic (NaCl, water, electrolytes) | Thick, oily, odorless precursor; odor from bacterial breakdown | | Innervation | Cholinergic (sympathetic) | Adrenergic (sympathetic) | | Function | Thermoregulation | Pheromone/scent production | | Onset | Birth | Puberty |