Some drugs alter body odour through their own odour, or via their effects on sweat, breath odour, saliva, or the microflora of the skin or mucous membranes.
Some body odours come from substances that emanate from the body and are present insecretions, exhaled air or expelled gas. Other odours come from substances formed by themicroflora on the skin or mucous membranes. Each person has a unique body odour that varies with age, the menstrual cycle, heat, hygiene practices, emotions (such as stress or pain), physical exercise, diet, and the consumption of particular foods (such as garlic or spices) orsubstances such as alcohol or tobacco.
Many drugs alter body odour, through various mechanisms. Some increase sweat production, including adrenaline, amphetamines, pseudoephedrine, tramadol, the antidepressants fluoxetine, paroxetine and venlafaxine, pregabalin, gabapentin, codeine, omeprazole, and drugs that trigger hot flushes.
Some drugs alter mouth odour by interfering with gastrointestinal transit and causing eructation (belching): nicotine, peppermint essential oil and HIV protease inhibitors. Others decrease saliva production or alter the local microflora: some antidepressants and neuroleptics, opioids, and antiseptic mouthwashes.
Some drugs are odorous themselves or produce odorous compounds: lithium, bisphosphonates. Yet others alter the composition of the microflora (antibiotics, antiseptics and antifungals) or disrupt the endocrine system.
Abnormal body odour can have social, psychological and other consequences. If these becometoo troublesome for the patient or the people around them, and a drug appears responsible, there are various options to consider: the drug could be replaced, stopped, orcontinued with intensified hygiene measures, or the patient could accept the odour and possibly modify it withcosmetics.
©Prescrire 1 July 2022
Source: "Drug-induced abnormal body odour" PrescrireInternational 2022; 31 (239): 187-189. Subscribersonly.
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FAQs
Body odor can be a side effect of antidepressants. Sweating is a common adverse effect of these medications. Approximately 7-19% of people taking antidepressants experience increased sweating. Both tricyclic antidepressants and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) cause sweating.
What is most responsible for body odor? ›
Body odor is primarily caused by apocrine sweat glands that become activated during puberty. These sweat glands develop in hairy regions like the armpits, genitals and scalp, where they secrete an oily fluid comprised of proteins, lipids and steroids.
Which hormone is responsible for body smell? ›
Stress causes the release of stress related hormones, called catecholamines, which activate the apocrine glands, leading to increased rates of sweating (9). This sweat is broken down by bacteria on the skin into fatty acids that contribute to increased body odor, causing more intense or less pleasant odors.
What compounds are responsible for body odor? ›
The main components of human axillary odor are unsaturated or hydroxylated branched fatty acids with E-3-methylhex-2-enoic acid (E-3M2H) and 3-hydroxy-3-methylhexanoic acid (HMHA), sulfanylalkanols and particularly 3-methyl-3-sulfanylhexan-1-ol (3M3SH), and the odoriferous steroids androstenone (5α-androst-16-en-3-one) ...
What is the best drugs for body odour? ›
Aluminum chloride: A doctor or dermatologist may recommend prescription antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride. Aluminum chloride is absorbed into the skin and reduces the amount a person sweats. Prescription antiperspirants can contain 10–30% aluminum chloride.
What organ affects body odor? ›
Sweating is the secretion of fluids by sweat glands onto your skin's surface. There are two types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. Apocrine glands are responsible for producing body odor.
What naturally kills body odor? ›
Popular Kitchen Ingredients That Significantly Reduce Body Odour:
- Rock Salt. Rock salt or sendha namak possesses powerful cleansing properties, which eliminates surplus sweat and influences the action of microbes dwelling on the surface of the skin. ...
- Green Tea Bags. ...
- Baking Soda. ...
- Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
- Tomato Juice.
It has a distinctive smell — some say, like rotten eggs and garlic. It's a serious symptom. If you notice it, you should seek care right away.
What does kidney disease body odor smell like? ›
Kidney disease can cause build of urea and make your sweat and urine smell like ammonia. Thyroid Issues - Thyroid glands regulate many bodily functions, including our sweat response.
Which soap is best for body odour? ›
Bathing regularly with mild soap and warm water cleanses the body but a good antibacterial soap will remove the germs too. The Dettol Soap has antibacterial properties and is especially effective in eliminating odour-causing bacteria from the skin and keeping you fresh and fragrant.
The following suggestions may help:
- 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.
A strong vagin*l odor may be a sign of vaginitis, or it may be a temporary smell related to your hygiene, lifestyle or other changes. Take note of whether you have other symptoms. If the odor is related to an infection, you'll usually notice other changes, like vagin*l itching, burning and discharge.
What autoimmune disease causes body odor? ›
Disease Overview
Trimethylaminuria is a rare disorder in which the body is not able to metabolize the chemical trimethylamine, and this causes body odor.
What is the natural scent of a woman called? ›
Pheromones in humans may be present in bodily secretions such as urine, sem*n or vagin*l secretions, breast milk and potentially also saliva and breath, yet most attention thus far has been directed toward axillary sweat.
What regulates body odor? ›
Our body odors are primarily due to the elements from skin gland excretions and bacterial activity. The human skin contains three types of exocrine glands: eccrine, sebaceous, and apocrine glands.
What medications cause smell disorders? ›
Official answer
- Antibiotics: amoxicillin, azithromycin and ciprofloxacin.
- Blood pressure medication: amlodipine and enalapril.
- Statin drugs (lower cholesterol): atorvastatin, lovastatin and pravastatin.
- Thyroid medication: levothyroxine.
Bromhidrosis, also known as osmidrosis or ozochrotia, is an unpleasant or offensive body odour due to any cause including poor hygiene, infections, diet or medications, or inherited metabolic disorders. It may be associated with hyperhidrosis.
What chemical imbalance causes body odor? ›
Trimethylaminuria is a rare disorder in which the body is not able to metabolize the chemical trimethylamine, and this causes body odor. Trimethylamine is the chemical that gives rotten fish a bad smell.
What drug causes long-term loss of smell? ›
Loss of smell can be caused by: Medicines that change or decrease the ability to detect odors, such as amphetamines, estrogen, naphazoline, trifluoperazine, long-term use of nasal decongestants, reserpine, and possibly zinc-based products.
