Do I have the ABCC11 gene?

The gene variant is known as ABCC11 and the study authors said that the consistency of earwax is a good indication of those who have it. People who have dry earwax as opposed to sticky earwax are highly likely to have the ABCC11 variant and therefore do not produce under arm body odour.

Does everyone have the ABCC11 gene?

Two percent of people carry an unusual form of a specific gene (ABCC11) that means their armpits never smell. The finding came from new research involving 6,495 women who are enrolled in the Children of the 90s study at the University of Bristol, England, and was published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology.

What race has the most ABCC11 gene?

The white men in the study had greater amounts of 11 of the VOCs than the East Asian men in the study. East Asian and Native American people were already known to have a form of the ABCC11 gene that causes the dry type of earwax and produces less underarm body order, compared with other ethnicities.

Can a person have no body odor?

According to a group of researchers from the University of Bristol in the UK, 2 percent of people (at least in their survey) carry a rare version of the gene ABCC11 that prevents their armpits from producing an offensive odor.

Is ABCC11 gene dominant?

A SNP in the ABCC11 gene on chromosome 16 at base position 538 of either a guanine or adenine determines two distinct groups of phenotypes. These respectively code for glycine and arginine in the gene's protein product. Dominant inheritance of the GG or GA genotype is observed while the AA genotype is recessive.

The Most Massive Earwax Removed in One Scoop

Does dry earwax mean no body odor?

Several years ago ago, scientists discovered that a gene called ABCC11 determined whether people produced wet or dry earwax. Interestingly, people who produce the "dry" version of earwax also lack a chemical in their armpits that bacteria feed on to cause underarm odor.

Why don't I stink when I sweat?

As the sweat evaporates, it helps cool your skin and regulate your body temperature. The sweat produced by eccrine glands is mainly salt and other electrolytes. Eccrine gland sweat lacks the fats and other compounds that can smell when broken down by bacteria. Therefore, it's less likely to produce a smell.

What race does not have body odor?

ABCC11: the “no body odor gene”

Genetic variants that cause a loss of function of the ABCC11 gene are very common among East Asian populations (80-90% of the population). In other population groups, it is rare to have no body odor.

Why can't I smell my own body odor?

“Basically, your nose goes numb to your own stank so you don't go mad.” It's the same reason why you can't smell your own home: Your sense of smell is quick to adapt and slow to reset. So. Not to freak you out or anything, but maybe you do smell — maybe all the time, or maybe on particularly sweaty days.

Do South Asians have wet earwax?

Earwax comes in two types, wet and dry. The wet form predominates in Africa and Europe, where 97 percent or more of the people have it, and the dry form among East Asians, while populations of Southern and Central Asia are roughly half and half.

What does the ABCC11 gene do?

In this study, we provide evidence that the gene ABCC11 (MRP8), which encodes an apical efflux pump, is crucial for the formation of the characteristic axillary odor and that a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) 538G → A, which is prominent among Asian people, leads to a nearly complete loss of the typical odor ...

What protein does ABCC11 code for?

Human ABCC11 (multidrug resistance-associated protein 8, MRP8) is a member of the ABC protein family [6–9]. Its gene encodes a 1382-amino acid transporter protein that contains two ATP-binding cassettes and twelve transmembrane helices.

Do I need deodorant if I don't smell?

For most, putting on deodorant is a necessary ritual on par with brushing teeth or washing hands. But for people who produce no armpit stench, it is totally unnecessary. Despite that, nearly three-quarters of those people still use deodorant daily, a new study finds.

How do I know my natural scent?

The best way to determine your own smell character is to not take a shower following your workout and don't rinse your hair or spritz on body spray. Give yourself at least two hours and write down what you felt about your own smell, then again after taking a bath to "feel" the smell, and to see the difference in smell.

How do I know if I stink?

"It's almost like a white-noise reset to the olfactory system," says Dalton. Try this: sniff coffee or charcoal for a full minute. Then go back and take a whiff of your underarm or other potentially offending area. In a pinch, you could even smell the crook of your elbow, which contains few sweat glands.

Is it true that you can't smell yourself?

In fact, according to research published in Nature, your nose can detect about one trillion smells! But your own underarms could reek and you might not be able to tell: Humans are prone to what scientists call olfactory fatigue; our sense of smell just gets plain tired out by familiar odors and stops detecting them.

Which race has the strongest body odor?

Although there is some controversy on the subject of "racial" variation in body odor, it is determined that African blacks probably produce the greatest amount of apocrine sweat, which is the known substrate for axillary odor.

Why do I not have BO?

Some People Don't Have Body Odor -- At All

That's because they're genetically predisposed not to have smelly sweat. Researchers say there are around one million body odor-free people worldwide who have a gene variant known as ABCC11.

Why does it smell when I open my legs?

Sweating in the groin area can attract fungus and bacteria that can lead to a bad smell. Showering after exercise or athletic activity can help reduce the bad-smelling effects of smells related to sweating. Putting on clean, dry clothes after a sweat session can also help.

Why do my armpits not sweat?

Some people aren't able to sweat typically because their sweat glands are no longer functioning properly. This condition is known as hypohidrosis, or anhidrosis. It can affect your entire body, a single area, or scattered areas. The inability to sweat can cause overheating.

How can I naturally change my scent?

Does everyone have body odor?

Everyone has a unique body odor (BO), which can be pleasant or subtle, but when we think of BO, we usually think of an unpleasant smell. Changes to body odor may be due to puberty, excessive sweating, or poor hygiene. Sudden changes are typically caused by the environment, medications, or foods that you eat.

Should I wear deodorant if I don't sweat?

If you want to control sweating and avoid underarm wetness, you should use an antiperspirant. But if you don't sweat excessively, and just want to limit body odor and smell fresh, deodorant is all you'll need.

Do Asians need deodorant?

The A allele is very common in East Asians, and as expected, most people in this population don't need to use deodorant. And so they don't use it—it's estimated that only 7% of North East Asians regularly use deodorant.

What is wet earwax?

Wet, pale yellow or white earwax could indicate that there is pus in your ear canal. This pale discharge is a warning signal from your immune system that you need to consult a doctor. Pus in the ear is often a symptom of an ear infection.