Do you sometimes think, "Oh, my body smells?"? Especially when you're in a crowded place, on the bus, or in the office, you feel a little embarrassed and ashamed. Many people think that body odor comes from sweating. But that's not the case. Sweating doesn't necessarily cause body odor. So today, let's learn more about body odor. This is a common problem for many people, so don't worry.
Why does this body smell?
Simply put, your sweat isn't the main cause of body odor. It's the bacteria on your skin that combine with your sweat. Our sweat doesn't have a scent. But when the bacteria on your skin react with this sweat, it creates the smell we smell. This smell can be sour, sweet, or even onion-like.
There are two types of sweat glands in our body.
1. Eccrine glands: These are found all over the body. The sweat from these glands comes directly to the surface of the skin, evaporates, and cools the body. This sweat does not smell.
2. Apocrine glands: These are the most important part of our story. These glands are located in areas where there are hair follicles, such as the armpits and groin. The sweat secreted by these glands combines with bacteria on the skin to produce an odor. These apocrine glands only start to function after we reach puberty . That's why little children don't smell like sweat.
See? It's not the amount of sweat that matters, but the type of bacteria on your skin and how they combine with the sweat that primarily affects body odor.
What are the common causes of body odor?
In addition to the accumulation of bacteria and sweat, several other factors can affect this.
| Reason | How it affects |
|---|---|
| Exercise | Since sweating increases during exercise, the chance of contact with bacteria also increases. |
| Stress | When you feel stressed or afraid, those apocrine glands we talked about are stimulated, and they secrete more sweat, which causes odor. |
| Hot weather | It's normal to sweat more in the heat, which can also cause odor. |
| Weight gain (Obesity) | Fat people have more skin folds. These areas are more likely to trap sweat and bacteria, which can lead to odor. |
| Genetics | Yes, it can be hereditary. Some families are more prone to body odor than others. |
Do food, drink and illness affect body odor?
Yes, absolutely. Sometimes a change in your body odor can be a sign of a medical condition.
The effect of food and drink
The saying "You are what you eat" applies to body odor to some extent.
- Sulfur-rich foods: When you eat foods high in sulfur, such as onions, garlic, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and red meat, that sulfur can be released with sweat and create an unpleasant odor like rotten eggs.
- Foods that increase sweating: Spicy foods (like our curry), coffee, alcohol, and MSG (Ajinomoto) increase sweating. When sweating increases, the chances of odor also increase.
The impact of medical conditions
If your body odor suddenly changes, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. If you notice anything like this , it's best to see a doctor.
| Medical condition | The nature of the odor that may occur |
|---|---|
| Diabetes | In uncontrolled diabetes, especially in the case of Diabetic Ketoacidosis , the body may have a sweet, fruity odor. |
| Liver or Kidney disease | A strong odor like bleach may develop due to the body's failure to eliminate toxins. |
| Other situations | Gout , menopause, overactive thyroid, and some infections can also cause changes in body odor. |
Well, what can you do about this?
Luckily, there are many things you can do with this. Let's take a look at them step by step.
1. Personal hygiene and lifestyle
This is the first and most important step.
- Daily shower: Shower daily using an antibacterial soap. Be especially careful to clean areas that sweat a lot, such as the armpits and groin.
- Keeping your armpits clean: It is very important to remove armpit hair because hair is a breeding ground for bacteria. When hair is gone, sweat evaporates quickly.
- Clean clothes: Wear clean, washed clothes every day. It is best to wear clothes made from fabrics that absorb sweat and allow the skin to breathe, especially cotton.
- Use of antiperspirant: Here it is important to understand the difference between deodorant and antiperspirant. A deodorant covers up odor. An antiperspirant reduces sweating. Using an antiperspirant that contains aluminum is more effective. Apply after showering and drying your body well.
- Reduce stress: Find ways to reduce stress. Things like meditation and exercise can help.
2. Natural care that can be done at home
- Baking soda: Mix it with a little water to make a paste and apply it to your armpits and let it dry. This will balance the acidity of your skin and reduce odor.
- Apple cider vinegar: Mix it with a little water, put it in a spray bottle, and spray it on your armpits. The acid in the vinegar kills bacteria.
- Lemon juice: Mix lemon juice with a little water and spray it on the affected area. The citric acid in lemon also kills bacteria.
3. Medical treatment
If home remedies don't work, you can talk to your doctor and consider these types of treatments.
- Botox® injections: Small injections into the armpits can temporarily stop sweating.
- Special medications: There are medications that can be given to control sweating.
- Other methods: In some severe cases, surgery, antibiotics, or special devices that destroy the sweat glands may be necessary.
When should I see a doctor?
Body odor is usually not a serious condition. However, if you have any of the symptoms below, you should definitely seek medical advice.
- If you sweat excessively for no reason (exercise, no heat).
- If your palms are so sweaty that you can't hold a pen or open a door, it interferes with your daily tasks.
- If you sweat while sleeping at night.
- If your body odor suddenly changes, especially if it smells fruity or like bleach.
- If you frequently develop skin infections in sweaty areas.
At times like this, it's important to see a doctor, get blood or urine tests done if necessary, and find the exact underlying cause.
Take-Home Message
- Your sweat doesn't have a smell. Body odor is caused by bacteria on your skin combining with sweat.
- Good personal hygiene is the first and best solution. Bathing daily, keeping armpits clean, and wearing clean clothes are essential.
- Some foods you eat (onions, garlic, spicy foods) can affect body odor. Be aware of that.
- If your body odor suddenly changes or has an unusual smell, such as fruity/bleach, it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition. So see a doctor immediately.
- Stress can also cause body odor. Try to stay relaxed. This is nothing to be ashamed of, it's a normal condition for most people.
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