Body odour is the unpleasant smell produced bybacteria on the skin breaking down the acids in your sweat. Anyone who has reached puberty can have it. Self-care can prevent it. You should only see your GP about your body odour if it causes you distress or it changes significantly.
Causes of body odour
Anyone whohas reachedpubertycan produce body odour, as this is when the apocrine sweat glands develop, which produce the sweat that bacteria can quickly break down.
Menare more likely to have body odour because they tend to sweat more than women.
Things that canmake body odour worse include:
- being overweight
- consuming rich or spicy food and drink–such as garlic, spices andalcohol
- some types of medication–such asantidepressants
- certain medical conditions–a fruity smell can sometimes be a sign ofdiabetes, while a bleach-like smell may suggest liver or kidney disease
Excessive sweating
Hyperhidrosisis a condition where a person sweats excessively and much more than the body needs to regulate temperature.
If you have hyperhidrosis, you mayalso havesmelly feet (bromodosis). Smelly feet are caused bywearing shoes and socks that prevent sweat from evaporating or being absorbed, which attracts bacteria.
When to see your GP
See your GP if:
- your sweating or body odour is causing you distress
- you notice a significant change in your body odour
- you suddenly begin to sweat much more than usual
Managingbody odour
Excessive sweating and body odour is an unpleasant problem thatcan affect a person's confidence and self-esteem.
Abody odour problem can usually be managed by getting rid ofexcess skin bacteria–which are responsible for the smell–and keeping the skin in the affected area (usually the armpits) clean and dry.
Self-care advice
Your armpits contain a large numberof apocrine glands, which are responsible for producing body odour.
Keeping your armpits clean and free of bacteria willhelp keep odour under control. Following the below advicecan help you achieve this:
- take a bath or shower every day to kill the bacteria on your skin
- wash your armpits thoroughlyusingan antibacterial soap
- use a deodorant or an antiperspirantafter bathing or showering
- wear natural fibres, such as wool, silk or cotton thatallow your skin to breathe, which means your sweat will evaporate quicker
- wear clean clothes– make sure you wash your clothes regularly
- limit the amount of spicy foods you eat– such as curry or garlic, because they can make your sweat smell; evidence also suggests that eating a lot of red meat tends to make body odour worse
Deodorant and antiperspirant
Deodorants work by using perfume to mask the smell of sweat. Antiperspirants contain aluminium chloride which reduces the amount of sweat produced by your body.
Use roll-on antiperspirants if you sweat heavily, as they tend to be more effective. You may find some more effective than others.
Surgery
Surgery may be recommendedforsevere body odour that can't be treated by self-care measures and over-the-counter products.
Risks associated with surgery include:
- damage to nearby arteries or nerves
- compensatory sweating (increased sweating from other areas of the body)
You should fully discuss the risks of the procedure with your surgeon beforehand.
More useful links
The information on this page has been adapted from original content from the NHS website.
For further information seeterms and conditions.
FAQs
What is the treatment for bromhidrosis?
- Good hygiene with regular washing using soaps and cleansers, deodorant, antiperspirant, removal of sweaty clothing.
- Hair removal by shaving, electrolysis, or lasers.
- Topical antiseptics.
- Exfoliation of areas of keratin degradation.
Bromhidrosis is known as foul-smelling perspiration with or without hyperhidrosis. Apocrine bromhidrosis is the result of apocrine sweat being degraded by cutaneous bacteria, leading to ammonia and short-chain fatty acids. The odor from apocrine bromhidrosis will resemble typical body odor.
Is bromhidrosis curable? ›
Bromhidrosis can often be treated or prevented through changes to your hygiene habits, though there are medical treatment options as well.
When does bromhidrosis start? ›
Causes of body odour
Anyone who has reached puberty can produce body odour, as this is when the apocrine sweat glands develop, which produce the sweat that bacteria can quickly break down. Men are more likely to have body odour because they tend to sweat more than women.
What cream is good for bromhidrosis? ›
Conclusion: Our results indicate that 2% glycopyrronium bromide cream is effective and safe for 12 weeks of application in patients with axillary bromhidrosis.
What naturally kills body odor? ›
How do you get rid of body odor naturally?
- Baking soda: Make a paste using baking soda and water. ...
- Green tea: Put green tea bags in warm water. ...
- Apple cider vinegar: Mix apple cider vinegar with a small amount of water in a spray bottle. ...
- Lemon juice: Mix lemon juice and water in a spray bottle.
TREATING BROMHIDROSIS
When used in conjunction with Perspi-Guard Maximum Strength Antiperspirant – available separately or together in our Sweat Defence System dual pack – the skin will remain dry and odour-free for up to 5 days.
How to eliminate body odor internally? ›
Change your diet.
Caffeinated beverages and spicy or strong-smelling foods may make you sweat more or have body odor that's stronger than usual. Eliminating these foods may help.
What is the smelliest odor? ›
Thioacetone is regarded as one of the worst smelling compounds known to science. This organosulfur compound is known to induce vomiting, unconsciousness and nausea for up to a half-mile radius if exposed to air.
How do I detox my body odor? ›
But you can do a few things to make body odor go away.
- Keep Yourself Squeaky Clean. ...
- Use Antibacterial Soap. ...
- Towel Off Well. ...
- Use 'Industrial Strength' Antiperspirants. ...
- Keep Your Clothes Clean. ...
- Cut Out or Cut Back on Certain Foods or Drinks.
Overactive Thyroid
Overall, strong body odour is likely to have a simple cause but if it is an unexpected and unexplained change or is not going away with the usual changes to personal hygiene, you really should see your doctor.
How to live with bromhidrosis? ›
Antiperspirants, powders, and frequent clothing changes can help in this regard. The next step is to wash regularly with an antibacterial soap like Dial, Safeguard, or Zest. To mask odor, a deodorant may be helpful (many antiperspirants also include deodorants). Sometimes changes in diet can also help.
Why do I smell body odour all the time? ›
Sweating and body odor are common when you exercise or you're too warm. They're also common when you're feeling nervous, anxious or stressed. Unusual changes in sweating — either too much (hyperhidrosis) or too little (anhidrosis) — can be cause for concern. Changes in body odor also may signal a health problem.
What does apocrine Bromhidrosis smell like? ›
Bromhidrosis is more likely to come from your underarm region, as this area hosts several apocrine glands. The smell of bromhidrosis may be reminiscent of something rotting or sour. You may notice some skin changes in the region where the odor is occurring as well, such as redness, rashes, or excessive moisture.
What age is body odor the worst? ›
Both boys and girls deal with body odor, so don't be alarmed, even when it can be overwhelming. It's completely natural and there are things you can do to help. Body odor typically starts in the tween years, between 8-12 years old, and can linger through the teen years.
What medication is used to treat bromhidrosis? ›
Use of topical antibiotics, such as clindamycin, erythromycin, and benzoyl peroxide, as well as antiseptic soaps, may yield clinical benefit by limiting the growth of the contributory bacteria that decompose apocrine secretions, liberating fatty acids that have peculiar smells.
How do I stop smelling like Bo all the time? ›
Do
- wash your armpits, groin and feet at least twice a day with soap and dry thoroughly.
- shave your armpits regularly.
- use antiperspirants and deodorants.
- change and wash your clothes regularly.
- wear natural fabrics like cotton, wool and silk.
- wear antibacterial socks.
Most cases of bromodosis can be treated right at home with careful, regular foot care. Wash feet every day with an antibacterial soap and a brush or washcloth. Dry carefully, especially between the toes to avoid bacteria growth. Keep toenails trimmed short and clean under the nails each day.
How do you detox your body from smell? ›
Self care
- Bathe daily. Regular bathing, especially with an antibacterial soap, reduces the growth of bacteria on your skin.
- Choose clothing to suit your activity. For daily wear, choose natural fabrics, such as cotton, wool and silk. ...
- Try relaxation techniques. ...
- Change your diet.
