An interesting and rare medical symptom was mentioned by Kevin, MD today. He links to an article about a Chinese man who began to perspire green sweat. Kevin asks for any ideas. I used my good friends, Google and Pubmed to find some possible explanations:

• Chromhidrosis: a rare condition characterized by the secretion of colored sweat which is caused by the various oxidative states of lipofuscin pigment. The pigment is produced in the apocrine gland. Here is a case report about it. Or an other one in the official journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

• Hyperbilirubinemia: An other case report with the title Green Sweating Spots on Hands and Feet: Unusual Expression of Hyperbilirubinemia

A 56-year-old man, hospitalized for recurrent fever, latent jaundice, and epigastric pain, progressively developed macules on his hands and feet… an increased level of bilirubin may cause a rare transient green discoloration when it is excreted through eccrine sweat glands.

• Pseudomonas infection

• Bleeding diathesis (red sweat)

• Copper exposure (blue sweat)

• Contamination from corynebacteria, paint, chemicals or clothing dye