Body odor is smelled when sweat comes in contact with bacteria on the skin. Sweat itself is odorless, but when bacteria on your skin mix with sweat, it creates an odor. Body odor can be sweet, sour, tangy, or even smell like onions. As a result, you may have an unpleasant body odor instead of sweat. Conversely, a person can sweat profusely, but not smell. This is because body odor is a result of the type of bacteria on your skin and how those bacteria interact with sweat, not the sweat itself.
Sweating is the secretion of fluid from sweat glands on the surface of the skin. There are two types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. Apocrine glands are involved in the production of body odor.
Eccrine glands
Eccrine glands secrete sweat directly onto the surface of the skin. As sweat evaporates, it cools the skin and regulates body temperature. Does not emit odor. When your body temperature rises due to strenuous exercise or heat, your skin cools as sweat evaporates. Eccrine glands cover most of the body, including the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet.
Apocrine glands
Apocrine glands open in hair follicles. A hair follicle is a tube-like structure that holds hair to the skin. There are apocrine glands in the groin and armpits. These glands produce scented sweat when they come into contact with bacteria on the skin.Apocrine glands do not become active until puberty, so they cannot smell an infant’s body odor.Sweating is a natural process in the body. However, certain foods, hygiene practices, or genetics can cause sweat to smell bad when it comes in contact with your skin. A change in sweating or body odor may indicate a medical condition.
Why Does Sweat Smell?
There are several possible reasons for the smell of sweat. For example, certain drugs, supplements, or foods can make your sweat smell worse. Remember, sweat itself does not smell. It’s a skin bacterium combined with sweat.
Several diseases and disorders are associated with changes in a person’s normal body odor:
Diabetes. gout. menopause
hyperthyroidism. liver disease. kidney disease. Infection. If you have diabetes, a change in body odor can be a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis.High ketone levels make your blood more acidic and your body smelling fruitier. If you have liver or kidney disease, toxins build up in your body, which can make the smell smell like bleach.
Can certain foods cause body odor?
The proverb “is what you eat” applies to body odor. Eating foods high in sulfur can cause body odor. Sulfur smells like rotten eggs. When secreted by the body along with sweat, it can prevent unpleasant odors.Sulfur-rich foods include:
Onions. garlic. cabbage. broccoli. cauliflower. red meat. Other common dietary triggers for bad odors include
monosodium glutamate (MSG). caffeine. Spices such as curry and cumin. Hot sauce or other spicy food. alcohol. Eliminating or reducing these triggers can help improve body odor.
How to get rid of body odor naturally?
If you want a more natural approach to treating underarm body odor, there may be options that work.Ask your doctor:
Baking Soda: Make a paste with baking soda and water. Apply the paste to your armpits and let it dry. Baking soda balances the acidity of your skin and reduces odor.
Green Tea: Place a green tea bag in warm water. Place a steeped tea bag under your armpits for a few minutes a day.Green tea can help unclog pores and reduce sweating.
Apple cider vinegar: Mix apple cider vinegar and water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture on your armpits. The acid in vinegar helps kill bacteria.
Lemon juice: Mix lemon juice and water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture under your arm. The citric acid in lemon juice kills bacteria.
