Body odor is caused by a mix of bacteria and sweat on your skin. Your body odor can change due to hormones, the food you eat, infection, medications or underlying conditions like diabetes. Prescription-strength antiperspirants or medications may help.
ODOR AFTER A SHOWER IS DUE TO LINGERING BACTERIA
In addition to bacteria, oftentimes there is deodorant residue and other impurities that are trapped in the underarm pores and within the hair if you have armpit hair.
Description. Trimethylaminuria is a disorder in which the body is unable to break down trimethylamine, a chemical compound that has a pungent odor. Trimethylamine has been described as smelling like rotten or decaying fish.
Sudden changes to body odor
Eating some foods, including garlic and onion , can make sweat smell different. Alcohol can also have this effect. Consuming certain foods and drinks may, therefore, lead to a sudden change in body odor around the armpits. Stress and anxiety can make people sweat more than usual.
Some medical conditions can cause a change in body odor, including: Liver disease. Diabetes. Kidney disease.
Individuals with certain medical conditions are more susceptible to having body odour. These can include diabetes, urinary tract infections, an overactive thyroid, kidney and liver dysfunction and a genetic disorder called trimethylaminuria.
In women, hormone levels change throughout the menstrual cycle, throughout pregnancy, during postpartum, or as a result of using medication with hormonal side effects. All of these changes can contribute to the intensity and pleasantness of body odor and there may be a link between our scent and attraction (5).
When the sweat from your glands meets the bacteria on your skin, it breaks down into products called thioalcohols. The thioalcohols give off a strong, often sulfurous scent that can also be comparable to onions or meat. Genetics plays a role in how many thioalcohols your body produces.
Some metabolic diseases can cause a distinctive body odor, particularly in their later stages. These include diabetes, as well as advanced kidney and liver disease.
The scent of fetor hepaticus is more distinct and smells like sulfur. It happens as a result of liver disease. Learn more about fetor hepaticus and how to manage the condition.
Both white vinegar and Apple Cider Vinegar or ACV are acidic in nature and have antimicrobial properties. It neutralises the environment in the underarm area and destroys the bacteria. It also works by lowering the pH of the underarm area and unclogs the pores of your skin.
A person living with a health condition such as diabetes or kidney disease may also have sweat that smells like ammonia.
During menopause, your hormonal balance shifts. This shift can also lead to stronger body odor. Estrogen and progesterone levels fall relative to your testosterone, while cortisol tends to increase. Higher levels of both testosterone and cortisol have been linked to stronger body odor.
Symptoms of hormonal imbalances that affect your metabolism include: Slow heartbeat or rapid heartbeat (tachycardia). Unexplained weight gain or weight loss. Fatigue.
Menopause and body odour. It's not uncommon for body odour to change during the menopause. Hot flushes cause the body to sweat more and a permanent change in odour can be caused by changes in hormone levels.
Kids start to have body odor around the time puberty starts and hormones change. Usually, this happens when females are 8–13 years old, and males are 9–14.
The menopausal drop in estrogen also leaves our bodies with relatively higher levels of testosterone — produced by our ovaries in small amounts — than before. This can attract more bacteria to sweat, making it smell funkier.
- Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) - This vitamin helps with olfactory dysfunction and thus helps with complete or partial loss of body odor. So people who are sweating the most should eat vitamin B12 food sources such as fish, meat, eggs, etc.
There are plenty of treatment options for an increased body odor during menopause. Remember to keep your body clean. Bathing frequently and gently scrubbing all the places where sweat and bacteria collect will reduce odor. For underarms, consider using an antiperspirant to help manage the sweat.
Hormone imbalances and body odor often go together. Dips in estrogen can trigger hot flashes and night sweats, meaning you simply sweat more, which in turn can result in more odor.