What's that smell? What causes armpit odor?
Have you ever caught a whiff of a foul odor after finishing an intense workout or spending an afternoon outside in the heat, only to realize the odor was coming from you? The smell goes with the sweat, and some of us give off a stronger and more pungent scent than others.
Most of the time body odor isn't a problem and a shower will quickly wash it away. But if you notice a change in body odor or you're sweating much more than usual, it could be a sign of a medical condition that needs treatment.
Treatment
If you're concerned about sweating and body odor, the solution may be simple: an antiperspirant or deodorant.
- Antiperspirant. Antiperspirants contain aluminium-based compounds that temporarily block sweat pores, thereby reducing the amount of sweat that reaches your skin.
- Deodorant. Deodorants can eliminate odor but not sweat. They're usually alcohol-based and turn your skin acidic, making it less attractive to bacteria. Deodorants often contain perfume fragrances intended to mask odor.
If nonprescription products don't help control your sweating, your doctor may prescribe a stronger product. These are strong solutions that can cause rashy, swollen and itchy skin in some people.
Self care
You can do a number of things on your own to reduce sweating and body odor. 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. These allow your skin to breathe. For exercise wear, you might prefer synthetic fabrics developed to wick moisture away from your skin.
- Try relaxation techniques. Consider relaxation techniques, such as yoga, meditation or biofeedback. These practices can teach you to control the stress that triggers sweating.
- 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.
Other Body Odor Preventions
- Put on an antiperspirant at bedtime. This gives the product a chance to work while you sleep and are not sweating. If you apply antiperspirants after showering in the morning, the sweat you accumulate will wash away the product and render you defenseless against daytime sweating. Remember, deodorants do not prevent sweating. They mainly mask the smell of the sweat on your skin. Antiperspirants are chemical agents that reduce sweating.
- Many antiperspirant preparations also contain a deodorant, which helps to mask the smell. Check the product you use to make sure it contains an antiperspirant as well as a deodorant.
- Keep your underarms dry. Bacteria have a hard time breeding in dry areas of the body. Shaving your underarms regularly will also help prevent the accumulation of bacteria and can reduce sweat and odor.
Sweating is an essential bodily function and is perfectly normal. When the liquid dries, it can smell. Most people will have smelly armpits at times. Washing daily and after exercising, wearing clean clothes every day, and using antiperspirant or deodorant should usually prevent the problem. Some people have a condition that makes them sweat too much. Doctors call this hyperhidrosis, and it can sometimes lead to body odor. Various factors can cause a sudden change in armpit odor. These include certain foods and medications. Anyone who finds that smelly armpits are affecting their quality of life should speak with a doctor.
Yang H, Xu G, Huang CL, et al. Effectiveness and complications of improved liposuction-curettage through mini-incisions for the treatment of axillary osmidrosis. Plast Surg (Oakv) 2017;25(4):234–41. [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Jie D, Yan C, Hui C. [Surgical treatment of axillary osmidrosis]. Chinese Journal of Aesthetic Medicine. 2008;(10):1555–57. [in Chinees] [Google Scholar]Yongxian R, Maoliang C. [Progress in the treatment of osmidrosis]. Chinese Journal of Aesthetic Medicine. 2016;25(04):98–100. [in Chinees] [Google Scholar]
Hutton B, Salanti G, Caldwell DM, et al. The PRISMA extension statement for reporting of systematic reviews incorporating network meta-analyses of health care interventions: checklist and explanations. Ann Intern Med. 2015;162(11):777–84. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
Yanxia Z, Xiaoming Z. Analysis of the efficacy of three methods in the treatment of axillary osmidrosis. Jiangxi Med J. 2005;(12):849–50. [Google Scholar]