Body odor emanates from bacteria on the skin, which breaks down sweat produced by the apocrine glands. These are located in your breasts, as well as the armpits and genitals. The waste products that are excreted by bacteria in the process are what produce the foul odor.
While sweat itself doesn't smell, you may develop body odor when there is the presence of bacteria on your skin. This is particularly why sweaty breasts smell sour or musky. Body odor comes from bacteria on the skin, which breaks down sweat produced by the apocrine glands.
Sweat smelling like vinegar: What to know. Sweat can smell like vinegar because of diseases such as diabetes, trichomycosis, and kidney disease, or because of hormone changes, certain foods, or skin infections. Sweat is released by sweat glands that are found throughout the body.
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.
A person living with a health condition such as diabetes or kidney disease may also have sweat that smells like ammonia.
Apocrine glands tend to create that foul smell because they release substances such as fat and proteins when they release sweat.
There's no reason to feel embarrassed or self-conscious—there are lots of things you can do to keep your bod under control. The facts? The sour or musky smell coming from your chest area is typically caused by bacteria breeding in your sweat. Okay, that's a pretty gross statement, but there's no reason to panic.
Simple antiperspirants can prevent your underboob area from sweating, and dermatologists find it a safe way to handle the problem. You can also change your bras and shirts, opting for breathable bras and cotton tops so that moisture doesn't get trapped inside.
The main causes are sweat rash, 'skin to skin' rubbing and the growth of yeast which appear as a rash in the skin fold under the breast. This is commonly known as Intertrigo. If untreated, it may worsen, become infected and possibly spread to other parts of the body.
The primary culprits are bacteria, sweat and body oils, which build up inside synthetic fabrics and cause a literal stink.
Washing your bras frequently and giving them a day or two of rest between wears will help prevent odours. If you find you're particularly sweaty, air out your bra before putting in the hamper so that it has a chance to dry.
When you're attracted to someone, you're more likely to be drawn to their smell.” Some say that we release pheromones (oxytocin), also referred to as “love hormones,” when there's an attraction — causing one to be drawn to someone's smell, she explains.
Technically, it'll be labelled as olfactory hallucinations or phantosmia. The olfactory (pertaining to smell) receptors transmit signals to the brain, where the smell is perceived.
Some people think their partner smells so good because of pheromones, which are chemicals that act like hormones outside of the body, influencing others' behavior, Dr. Navya Mysore, M.D., a provider at One Medical. In animals, pheromones signal that it's time to mate, or warn that an enemy is approaching.
A drop in oestrogen levels in the menopause can leave some women with relatively more male hormone (testosterone). This can cause them to have more bacteria in their sweat, and that sweat may smell more. It's also why acne and skin changes can become an issue in the menopause.
A rash under your breast or breasts, between the folds of skin, is usually caused by a benign (not cancer) skin condition called intertrigo. It is a very common condition that can occur throughout life. You may hear it called candida intertrigo.
Bacteria love sweets, so eating too much sugar can cause an overgrowth of yeast on your skin, which in turn converts those sugars into alcohols that cause you to smell anything but sweet, according to Edward Group, a certified clinical nutritionist.
Diabetes and acetone-like breath
If the body cannot get its energy from glucose, it starts burning fat for fuel instead. The process of breaking down fat for energy releases byproducts called ketones. Acetone is a type of ketone, and it is the same fruity-smelling substance found in some nail polish removers.
Some people with diabetes compare the smell of insulin to the scent of Band-Aids, printer ink, Lysol, or new plastic shower curtain liners (4). Apparently, phenols are responsible for the aroma associated with insulin (5).
When you gain weight, you may develop more skin folds. These folds can hold sweat and bacteria, which create ideal conditions for strong body odor.
To sum it up, the key to preventing irritation and odor is to keep your skin dry, cool, and PH balanced. If you find that the above doesn't help, please consult a doctor or dermatologist if it's within your means. In the long run, this will save you both time and money.