Why Do My Armpits Smell? The Whole Story (2024)

Armpits smell when your sweat comes into contact with the bacteria on your skin. Certain practices may help reduce body odor.

Smelly armpits may make you self-conscious, even though this is a problem most people have dealt with before. Commonly known as body odor (BO) and technically as bromhidrosis, malodorous armpits aren’t usually a cause for concern.

You can take steps to help minimize and prevent armpit odor, which may ease some of your anxiety.

Your body is covered with sweat glands because sweating is an essential function that helps us cool down.

There are two main kinds of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine:

  • Eccrine glands: These cover much of your body and open directly on the skin’s surface.
  • Apocrine glands: These occur in areas that contain a lot of hair follicles, like the groin and armpit. Instead of opening up to the surface of the skin, apocrine glands empty into the hair follicle and then open up to the surface.

When your body heats up, eccrine glands release sweat that cools your body. It’s typically odorless until bacteria on your skin start breaking it down. Certain foods and drinks you’ve consumed, as well as certain kinds of medication, can also cause eccrine sweat to give off an odor.

Apocrine glands work primarily under stress, secreting an odorless fluid. This fluid begins to develop an odor when it comes into contact with bacteria on your skin. These glands don’t start working until puberty, which is why that’s usually the time people start to notice body odor.

While this is normal, some people sweat more than usual. This condition is called hyperhidrosis. People with hyperhidrosis sweat excessively, especially from their hands, feet, and armpits. If your doctor thinks you might have this condition, they can complete tests to confirm a diagnosis and provide treatment.

How to manage smelly armpits depends on the severity and underlying causes of the body odor. The odor might be present due to ineffective hygiene or not using the right products, or there may be an underlying medical condition that needs treatment.

When hygiene is behind smelly armpits

Using an over-the-counter (OTC) antiperspirant or deodorant (or a combination antiperspirant-deodorant) after your daily shower can help remedy armpit odor. Sometimes, you need to try different kinds to see which one works best for you.

Antiperspirants help to reduce the amount of sweat produced by temporarily blocking the pores that release sweat. As less sweat comes to the surface of your skin, less odor results.

Deodorants stop sweat from smelling but don’t stop sweat itself. These products are often alcohol-based, turning your skin acidic. This prevents the odor-triggering bacteria from forming.

When hyperhydrosis is causing armpit body odor

If OTC deodorants aren’t effective, talk with your doctor about prescription-strength deodorant or Botox injections.

Although many are familiar with Botox for its use in smoothing facial wrinkles, it has several other practical applications. A Botox injection into the sweat glands can decrease both sweating and odor. This is a common treatment for people with hyperhidrosis.

Botox isn’t a permanent solution, though. The effects of the injections only last a few months, so you’ll need to repeat the procedure as often as necessary.

You can take some measures to prevent underarm odor from developing in the first place.

  • Taking daily showers with soap. Regularly showering after strenuous activities like working out or playing sports gets rid of the bacteria and sweat that cause odors.
  • Wearing loose-fitting, breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, and moisture-wicking blends. This is especially important if you sweat a lot. These will allow your body to stay cooler better than constricting clothes made from nonbreathable fabrics.
  • Removing hair. A 2016 study found that shaving or waxing the armpits significantly reduced armpit odor. This is because cleaning is more effective on shaved or waxed skin.
  • Relieving stress. Since the stress reaction can cause sweat glands to produce sweat, stress management and anxiety-reduction techniques can help you modulate your stress reaction and minimize your physiological sweat response.

Here are some additional DIY body odor life hacks that you can try at home. Find what works best for you, especially during the different seasons.

If you’ve used multiple kinds of deodorants or antiperspirants and nothing helps to reduce your underarm odor, talk with your doctor.

They can rule out underlying medical conditions and recommend stronger treatments.

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. While it might cause people to be self-conscious, there are many solutions that can help.

Antiperspirant or deodorizing sprays can help you manage body odor in the armpits. If these don’t have an effect, your doctor might prescribe stronger sprays or recommend Botox injections.

Good hygiene, loose-fitting clothes, reducing stress, and possibly shaving or waxing the area might help prevent or reduce body odor.

Why Do My Armpits Smell? The Whole Story (2024)

FAQs

Why Do My Armpits Smell? The Whole Story? ›

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. While it might cause people to be self-conscious, there are many solutions that can help.

What does it mean if your armpits smell all the time? ›

The number of sweat glands isn't the only factor in body odor. Remember, hormonal changes—including those stemming from a rise in stress and or anxiety—can contribute to stinky armpits. Menopause can also lead to a change in an individual's typical scent.

Why do my armpits smell so bad even with deodorant female? ›

Even if you're using deodorant, you might still experience smelly armpits. This could be due to various factors such as diet, stress, hormonal changes, or even the type of bacteria present in your underarms.

Why do my armpits smell bad even after a shower? ›

Interestingly, sweat is not the cause of body odor. Bacteria is. So, smelly armpits can occur with and without sweat. The odor occurs due to the action of specific bacteria that are optimized in damp skin folds and from perturbations in the skin barrier function often linked to skin pH imbalance.

How to fix smelly armpits? ›

The following suggestions may help:
  1. Bathe daily. Regular bathing, especially with an antibacterial soap, reduces the growth of bacteria on your skin.
  2. Choose clothing to suit your activity. For daily wear, choose natural fabrics, such as cotton, wool and silk. ...
  3. Try relaxation techniques. ...
  4. Change your diet.

Why do my armpits smell bad even with good hygiene? ›

If sweating is excessive, it can cause smelly armpits even if a person washes regularly and uses deodorant or antiperspirant. The first thing that a doctor will recommend is usually a prescription strength antiperspirant. Sometimes, these might burn or irritate the skin.

Why do I smell bad even with good hygiene down there? ›

A strong vaginal 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 vaginal itching, burning and discharge.

How to detox armpits? ›

To do an underarm detox, use 1 tablespoon of bentonite clay (a natural, detoxifying clay) mixed with 1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar, which has cleansing properties, and 1 teaspoon of water. Apply the paste to your underarms for around 10 minutes daily for a week or more until your underarm odor subsides.

What does diabetic sweat smell like? ›

If you have diabetes, a change in body odor could be a sign of diabetes-related ketoacidosis. High ketone levels cause your blood to become acidic and your body odor to be fruity. In the case of liver or kidney disease, your odor may give off a bleach-like smell due to toxin buildup in your body.

Does shaving armpits reduce smell? ›

Shave or Trim:

If you have body hair, consider shaving or trimming it as needed. Hair can trap sweat and bacteria, providing an environment for odour to develop. Removing or trimming body hair could help reduce bacterial growth and improve the effectiveness of deodorant or antiperspirant.

How to stop bo smell? ›

Do
  1. wash your armpits, groin and feet at least twice a day with soap and dry thoroughly.
  2. shave your armpits regularly.
  3. use antiperspirants and deodorants.
  4. change and wash your clothes regularly.
  5. wear natural fabrics like cotton, wool and silk.
  6. wear antibacterial socks.

What is the best deodorant for smelly armpits? ›

Give your pits the protection they need with our top pick, the Uriage Clinical Strength Deodorant. It's a roll-on antiperspirant that glides on in just a few swipes to keep sweating at bay. The aluminum-based formula works by reducing underarm wetness, though it also targets odors.

How to properly clean armpits? ›

Futher suggests applying soap to each armpit for at least 30 seconds to ensure it's truly eliminating any odor-causing bacteria. For those with underarm hair, be sure to really work the product into the skin to ensure it's penetrating properly, as hair is particularly prone to trapping bacteria.

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.
Jul 18, 2023

Why do my armpits smell no matter what deodorant I use? ›

Certain foods and drinks you've consumed, as well as certain kinds of medication, can also cause eccrine sweat to give off an odor. Apocrine glands work primarily under stress, secreting an odorless fluid. This fluid begins to develop an odor when it comes into contact with bacteria on your skin.

Why are my armpits so stinky all of a sudden? ›

Changes in body odor may be caused by puberty, too much sweat, or poor hygiene. Sudden changes may be triggered by the environment, your medications, or your food. It could also indicate a health problem.

Why do the armpits of my clothes still smell after washing? ›

The butyric acid can continue to produce molecules that smell. If it isn't completely removed when washed, the clothing can continue to smell.

Why can I smell myself through my pants? ›

Limiting frequent bathing can lead to dirt, sweat and dead skin cells build up leading to Your clothes have a strong smell. You can reduce these effects by showering regularly and washing with mild soap and warm water. Sweating in the groin area can attract fungi and bacteria that lead to bad odors.

What are the 10 causes of body odour? ›

Causes of body odour
  • being overweight.
  • consuming rich or spicy food and drink – such as garlic, spices and alcohol.
  • some types of medication – such as antidepressants.
  • certain medical conditions – a fruity smell can sometimes be a sign of diabetes, while a bleach-like smell may suggest liver or kidney disease.

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