Why does my body odor smell different?

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.

What health issues causes a smelly body odor?

Skin conditions

Internal health issues may result in unpleasant body odors (BO), as well, such as liver and kidney disease and hyperthyroidism, which can lead to excessive sweat and increased BO. Stagg recommends talking with your doctor if you notice a strong smell from your skin.

Why does my sweat smell weird?

Sweating and body odor from activity and exercise is totally normal. The smell that arises is due to the bacteria that live harmlessly on everyone's body. When the bacteria mix with sweat released from your sweat glands, it can create an unpleasant odor.

What your body odor is telling you?

Changes in body odour could also mean you might be sick or have an underlying condition. Conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease can make body odour worse. If you have diabetes and your blood sugar levels get too high, your breath may start to smell fruity.

Can you change the smell of your body odor?

Daily showering, anti-bacterial soap, and the right underarm product can help control body odor. You can also try wearing breathable fabrics, avoiding certain foods, and shaving or trimming body hair.

What causes body odor? - Mel Rosenberg

Why does my armpit BO smell different?

Your armpits have an inherent odor that's totally normal due to apocrine and eccrine glands. Everyone's armpits smell different thanks to genetics, hormones, diet, and other factors. If your armpits suddenly smell especially foul it could be a sign of an infection that needs medical attention.

What does diabetic sweat smell like?

A person living with a health condition such as diabetes or kidney disease may also have sweat that smells like ammonia. A person can try antiperspirants to reduce the amount they sweat, and deodorants to cover up any odors. A doctor can treat any underlying health conditions to help reduce the ammonia smell in sweat.

Can a hormone imbalance cause body odor?

"Women experiencing hormonal fluctuations can certainly experience changes in their body odor," says Dr. Dietz. "When estrogen levels drop during menopause, for example, the body often mistakes this as a sign that it's overheating. This hormonal change then leads to excess sweating, which can contribute to body odor.

Why does my BO smell like onions?

Foods such as garlic, onions, cumin, and curry can also cause changes in body odor. The sulfur-like compounds that the body releases as it breaks down these foods can react with the sweat on the skin, producing body odor that may be different than a person's natural scent.

How can I make my body smell good naturally?

Why did my body odor suddenly changed?

Your environment, the things you eat, medications you take, shifts in hormone levels, or underlying disorders may all be behind a sudden change in body odor. Changes in body odor can be a normal part of development, such as when an adolescent is going through puberty.

What does stress sweat smell like?

But your apocrine glands, usually only found in your armpit area, are activated when you're under psychological stress, explains Preti. This sweat produces a strong, sometimes even sulfurous odor when you're anxious or scared.

Why does my BO smell like vinegar?

Corynebacteria. A bacterial skin infection caused by corynebacteria can cause sweat to smell like vinegar or other strong scents.

Can gut bacteria cause body odor?

Origins of Body Odor Associated with Bacterial Metabolites

The major odorants are small, volatile compounds that may either be produced in situ (skin, oral cavity) or be carried by blood from the gut, which is a major site of bacterial metabolism.

Why do I always feel like I stink?

Olfactory reference syndrome (ORS), also known as olfactory reference disorder, is an underrecognized and often severe condition that has similarities to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). People with ORS think they smell bad, but in reality they don't.

How do you get rid of internal body odor?

Does a woman's body odor change with age?

The bottom line. Body odor naturally changes as you age. For older people, this change in smell is likely due to an increase in levels of a compound called 2-nonenal. No matter the cause, there's no reason to run from these changes.

Why do my armpits smell even after I shower?

The bottom line. Smelly armpits occur when bacteria break down the otherwise odorless sweat on your skin. Some people sweat more than others and have a condition called hyperhidrosis. This excess sweating can lead to body odor.

Why does my night sweat smell sour?

Sweat itself does not smell. But, when bacteria is present, it breaks down acids contained in the sweat produced by apocrine glands and produces the sour, vinegar-like smell in the armpits, breasts, and genital-anal area.

Can high estrogen cause body odor?

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. This is also a time of life filled with high levels of anxiety or stress, which can make you sweat, too.

Does low estrogen cause BO?

Unfortunately, the plummet of estrogen during this menopausal phase triggers a false message to the hypothalamus saying that the body is overheated and needs to be cooled. This causes aging women to be left with unexpected surges of sweat and the resulting body odor that comes along with it.

How do I get rid of hormonal odor?

How come when I open my legs it smells male?

Hyperhidrosis is a condition that causes excessive sweating. Men are especially vulnerable to this in the groin area due to testicles that can rub against their skin, creating friction, and increasing sweating. The extra sweat can attract fungus and bacteria, which leads to bad smells.

What do ketones smell like?

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. If the breath of a person with diabetes smells of acetone, this suggests that there are high levels of ketones in their blood.

What does ketoacidosis smell like?

One of the ketones, acetone (a chemical found in nail polish), can cause your breath to smell like nail polish. When ketones rise to unsafe levels, your chances for diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) increase. Symptoms of DKA include: a sweet and fruity odor on your breath.