What term refers to foul-smelling perspiration caused by bacteria, often noticeable in the armpits or feet?

The term that refers to foul-smelling perspiration caused by bacteria, often noticeable in areas such as the armpits or feet, is bromhidrosis. This condition occurs when sweat produced by the apocrine glands, which are concentrated in certain areas of the body, comes into contact with bacteria on the skin's surface. The bacteria then break down the sweat, producing odoriferous compounds that result in the characteristic foul smell associated with bromhidrosis.

Hyperhidrosis refers to excessive sweating, which can occur in various parts of the body but does not specifically denote foul-smelling perspiration. Anhidrosis indicates a lack of sweating, which is the opposite of what is being described. Odoriferous perspiration, while descriptive, is not the specific medical term used to define the condition characterized by unpleasant odors resulting from bacterial action on sweat. Bromhidrosis is the precise term that captures this phenomenon.