You smell like yeast under your breasts because of a common fungal infection called candidiasis, caused by the Candida yeast that thrives in warm, moist skin folds, leading to an unpleasant, sometimes sour or yeasty odor, redness, itching, and rash, often exacerbated by sweat, humidity, tight clothing, or breastfeeding. Keeping the area dry, wearing breathable fabrics, and using antifungal treatments are key to resolving it.
Treatment for a yeast infection under your breasts may include an antifungal medication. Your healthcare provider may recommend an antifungal cream, ointment or other solution. You can buy many antifungal creams over-the-counter. Your healthcare provider may prescribe a stronger antifungal option if necessary.
Risk factors for intertrigo include obesity, incontinence, poor hygiene, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), and medical conditions that suppress your immune system. These can include diabetes, HIV, and other conditions.
Mild-to-moderate yeast infections typically clear up with the use of an OTC antifungal cream, such as clotrimazole (Mycelex). Keeping the affected skin clean and dry can help speed up the healing process and lower the risk of reinfection.
Kill the yeast on your shirts and bras and baby's clothes by adding 1 cup of white vinegar (per whole load) to the rinse cycle of your laundry. Wash bras in hot water with a vinegar rinse at the end of every day (if hand washing, a tablespoon of vinegar in a bowl full of water then rinse again with warm water).
Underbreasts and skin folds: In people with excess body weight or larger breasts, sweat accumulates in skin folds, leading to bacterial and fungal growth that worsens odor. The smell is often yeasty or sour. Fungal infections, like yeast, can also contribute to the odor.
Skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis as well as lichen sclerosus, an inflammatory condition that is more common in postmenopausal people, can mimic symptoms of a yeast infection. The symptoms of lichen sclerosus are primarily severe itching.
A yeast infection usually goes away after about a week of treatment. But it's important to use the medicine for as long as your doctor tells you to. Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety.
Thankfully, there are many effective ways to help minimize boob sweat or prevent it altogether.
Miconazole Powder. Antifungal powder treats fungal or yeast infections in your skin. This medication contains miconazole and it comes as a topical powder. You can apply this powder to your affected skin as directed.
To control moisture, advise patients to avoid tight clothing; use pH-balanced liquid soap, cleansers, or disposable wipes; and pat skinfolds dry, rather than aggressively rubbing. Hair dryers set on cold also can be used to dry skinfolds.
Factors such as poor hygiene, antibiotics and even pregnancy can put a woman at higher risk for developing a yeast infection.
Have you noticed that the sweat under your breasts has a unique smell? Zamborsky says that scent comes from your apocrine glands.
Foul-smelling odour (if it has become infected with candida)
Products that can help with breast sweat
A whole-body deodorant, for example, can provide odor control while respecting the delicate skin beneath the breasts.
Best anti-perspirants for stopping underboob sweat
Both Nazarian and dermatologist Dr. Heidi Waldorf say that Dove's alcohol-free anti-perspirants are gentle enough for the task, in part because they contain moisturizing ingredients that soothe skin while the product works to stop sweat.
The main causes of intertrigo are moisture (such as sweating), heat and 'skin to skin' rubbing. A warm environment encourages infection by yeast, fungus or bacteria. The growth of yeast which appears as a rash in the skin fold under the breast.
Cotton Pads
These 100% cotton, reusable pads are designed to create a barrier between your bra and your skin to absorb sweat and prevent chafing. (Bonus: Protecting your bras from perspiration means you don't have to wash them as often!)
Use topical anti-fungal and/or anti-bacterial creams: Your healthcare provider may recommend a topical steroid cream to help combat fungal and bacterial overgrowth that contributes to inflammation. You can buy anti-fungal and anti-bacterial creams at your local pharmacy without a prescription.
It is a very common condition that can be easily treated and managed. It can be particularly common in people who have diabetes, as diabetes can make the skin more prone to fungal and bacterial infections. If left untreated, under-breast soreness can worsen and spread to other parts of the body.
Vaginal candidiasis (yeast infection)
Vaginal itching or soreness. Pain during sexual intercourse. Pain or discomfort when urinating. Abnormal vaginal discharge.
The vaginal pH rises—meaning it becomes less acidic and more alkaline. This matters because yeast don't like high pH. So when your estrogen levels are low, your risk of yeast infections is actually lower—even though everything else down there may feel miserable.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
Some sexually transmitted infections, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, or trichomoniasis, can cause unusual discharge, itching, and discomfort. STIs often require prescription antibiotics and should not be self-treated with over-the-counter yeast infection treatments.