bubble_chart Concept

Armpit sweating refers to the local perspiration under the armpits and even the sides of the body.

This symptom is mentioned in "Yilin Shengmo", Zhangshi Yitong, Leizheng Zhicai, and other medical texts, where it is also referred to as "sweating of the sides". Although the names differ, the essence is the same.

bubble_chart Pattern Analysis

1. Liver Deficiency with Internal Heat︰Sweating in the armpits without odor, dreamfulness and easy fright, vexation and insomnia, dizziness and lack of strength, complexion without luster, afternoon tidal fever or vexing heat in the chest, palms and soles, dry mouth and throat, red tongue with scant coating, wiry-thin-rapid pulse. Mostly caused by prolonged illness and physical weakness, or excessive labor and desire leading to depletion of essence and blood, liver yin deficiency, blood deficiency failing to nourish the liver, resulting in armpit sweating. The key points of differentiation: sweating in the armpits without odor, accompanied by signs of liver deficiency with internal heat (such as dreamfulness and easy fright, vexation and insomnia, or five-center fever, dry mouth and throat). Treatment should focus on enriching yin and emolliating the liver to clear heat. The recommended formulas are Six-Ingredient Rehmannia Pill and All-Along Decoction with modifications, and external application of Mufan Dan to rub the armpits.
2. Liver-gallbladder Dampness-heat︰Sweating in the armpits with foul odor, chest tightness, anorexia, bitter taste in the mouth with stickiness, thirst without desire to drink, heavy body and fatigue, scanty dark yellow urine, yellow greasy tongue coating, and wiry rapid pulse. This condition is mostly caused by the invasion and accumulation of dampness-heat in the liver and gallbladder, impairing their free coursing and discharging functions, leading to dampness-heat traveling along the channels. As recorded in Zabing Yuanliu Xizhu (Detailed Notes on the Origins and Courses of Various Diseases), under "Various Sweating Conditions": "There is sweating in both armpits... if it persists for a long time without healing, it is due to dampness-heat multiple abscesses." The key points for diagnosis include sweating in the armpits with foul odor, accompanied by symptoms of dampness-heat accumulation in the liver and gallbladder (chest tightness, anorexia, bitter taste in the mouth with stickiness, thirst without desire to drink, heavy body and fatigue, scanty dark urine, yellow greasy tongue coating, and wiry rapid pulse). The treatment principle is to clear heat and drain dampness, using modified Gentian Liver-Draining Decoction, and applying Mu Fan Dan (Oyster Shell and Alum Elixir) externally to the sweating areas.

The symptom of armpit sweating can manifest in both deficiency and excess pattern. Clinically, armpit odor is often accompanied by excessive and foul-smelling armpit sweating. The disease cause may be due to the accumulation of dampness-heat or hereditary factors. It can also be treated based on the pattern differentiation of liver-gallbladder dampness-heat armpit sweating, or through surgical intervention.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Leizheng Zhicai．Sweating Syndrome: "Shaoyang with heat... or armpit sweating, flank sweating. It must be understood that when it arises from the interlocking of yin and yang, and where the interlocking of yin and yang is vented, it is all due to the disharmony of yin and yang in the half-exterior and half-interior syndrome, Minor Bupleurum Decoction, Peripatetic Powder are all suitable formulas."
2. Zabing Yuanliu Xizhu．Various Sweating Origins: "Sweating due to liver deficiency must be restricted in its dispersion, suitable is Peony Root Decoction." "Sweating originates from the liver, suitable are Jujube Seed, Chinese Yam."