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Types of Sweat-Eating Bacteria

Bacteria is a general term used to describe microorganisms. Sweat-eating bacteria refers to the bacteria living on our skin that feed on sweat and dead skin cells. These bacteria eat up the water, salts and amino acids that are excreted by the sweat glands. The nutrients from sweat help the bacteria multiply. Sweat is broken down into fatty acids that have unpleasant, pungent odors which give rise to smelly armpits and feet. The moist areas of the skin are home to the largest number of bacteria. The skin of the human body has two types of sweat glands. You will find apocrine sweat glands where there are plenty of hair follicles, such as the armpits, groin and scalp. They secrete a fatty sweat released when you're under emotional stress. The breakdown of apocrine sweat by bacteria is most frequently responsible for body odor. You'll find eccrine glands over most areas of the body, releasing copious sweat directly onto the skin.

  1. Staphylococcus Epidermidis

    • National Geographic reports in a 2009 article that scientists have discovered that human skin is home to more diverse bacteria than they had originally thought. Prior to this discovery, it was thought that staphylococcus was the dominant bacteria found on skin.

      Staphylococci are pathogens that inhabit the mucous membranes and skin of mammals, feeding on sweat and dead skin cells. Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most common and numerous species of bacteria found on human skin. While this common bacterium is usually harmless, it can become harmful under certain conditions. The bacterium is associated with infections acquired in hospitals, particularly in people with compromised immune systems.

    Corynebacterium

    • The mixture of microorganisms found consistently on a specific area of the body are known as the normal or native flora. In humans, bacteria are the most common and numerous component of the skin flora. The sweat-eating corynebacteria are regular skin flora, often found in the armpit, and can cause acne.

    Micrococcus

    • While not as common as staphylococci, micrococci are inhabitants of the skin and micrococcus luteus is the predominant species. The bacteria that feed on the nutrients in sweat and dead skin cells, is also found in the nasal mucosa as well as in the air, dust and soil.

    Peptostreptococcus

    • The armpits contain many millions of bacteria per square inch, far fewer than the amount of bacteria found on the dry skin of our forearms. Peptostreptococcus is another of the more common bacteria found in the underarm area that thrives in the moist, clammy environment provided by the armpit's sweat.

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