What makes body odour worse

Some people develop this disorder due to genetics, an underlying health condition, or while taking certain medications. According to research , hyperhidrosis and stress are connected.

Many people who develop this condition experience stress, especially if the excess sweating affects their self-esteem or confidence. Hyperhidrosis is often diagnosed in people with mental health conditions, such as social anxiety , which may influence its onset.

It leads to high blood sugar. If blood sugar levels get very high, a complication called diabetic ketoacidosis DKA can occur. Ketones build up to dangerous levels in the body and are secreted into the blood and urine.

Additionally, DKA causes your breath to have a fruity odor. If you have diabetes and experience a sudden fruity smell in your breath accompanied by frequent urination and a very high blood glucose level, see a doctor immediately.

Diabetic ketoacidosis is a medical emergency. Have you ever thought you might smell different during your period? Research has found that women at high fertility within their menstrual cycle actually put out a different, perceived to be more attractive, scent to men than those at low fertility in their cycle.

Other times, hormone fluctuations may cause a change in body odor or vaginal odor. This may not necessarily be unpleasant — just different. Several vaginal infections , such as a vaginal parasite infection or bacterial vaginosis, may cause a sudden change in vaginal odor. Other types of infections that occur outside of the vagina may also cause a change in body odor in the affected area.

Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age and often produces a fishy odor. Its other symptoms are similar to those of a yeast infection.

Trichomoniasis , a type of parasitic sexually transmitted infection, often has no symptoms but may change vaginal odor. Discharge can smell bad, change color, or become frothy.

If your skin develops an infection, either new or due to a preexisting condition, you may experience a sudden smell at the site of the infection. Some types of skin infections or conditions that might cause a smell include:. Fungus thrives in the warm, moist environment of your shoes and socks. Can cancer smell? These wounds occur in around 5 percent of people with cancer. Some people with gynecological tumors do complain of unpleasant-smelling vaginal discharge. This results from certain acids that occur, which can be reduced by using the antibiotic metronidazole.

For instance, scurvy — vitamin C deficiency — can cause sweat to smell putrid. If your hyperhidrosis is secondary to an underlying condition, treating that condition should help your symptoms.

It can also help to make lifestyle changes where you bathe daily, choose clothing based on breathable, natural materials, and change socks often to let your feet get some air. Infections will be treated differently depending on the cause and severity. Treatments are usually done with an antibiotic or antifungal agent. These are typically topical, but may be oral or intravenous as well.

These glands produce a thick, transparent liquid, which can smell quite potent when it mixes with bacteria on the skin. When someone exercises, their body sweats to help them maintain a steady temperature. When this sweat mixes with bacteria on the skin and then dries, it can smell.

People usually refer to this body odor as BO. Some foods can lead to a change in body odor. The high fiber content of cruciferous vegetables — such as cabbage, cauliflower, and kale — can, for example, add an egg-like smell to the gas that a person passes. Asparagus often leads to smelly urine. Foods such as garlic, onions, cumin, and curry can also cause changes in body odor. Some medications can cause excessive sweating, which can lead to changes in body odor in some people. Some of the most common examples of these drugs include:.

However, it is important to note that not everyone taking the medication will experience side effects. People with hyperhidrosis sweat excessively from the eccrine glands. Eccrine sweat does not tend to lead to body odor, but it can do if it mixes with apocrine sweat.

A person may have primary hyperhidrosis, meaning that it happens on its own, or the excessive sweating may be a symptom of another medical condition. It can also be a side effect of some medications. Trimethylaminuria is a rare genetic condition. People who have it are unable to break down a chemical compound called trimethylamine. The compound leaves the body in the sweat, urine, and breath, giving off a smell resembling that of rotten egg, fish, or garbage.

Body odor may be a sign of diabetes in some people. It happens when there is too much glucose in the blood. Diabetes is a long-term condition, meaning that there is no cure, but people can manage it. Sometimes, body odor can be a sign of kidney disease, which means that the kidneys are damaged and unable to filter the blood in the way that they should.

Other symptoms include:. Biology of eccrine and apocrine glands. In: Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. New York, N. Accessed July 6, Natural Medicines. Accessed July 7, Kanlayavattanakul M, et al.

Body malodours and their topical treatment agents. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. Shirasu M, et al. The scent of disease: Volatile organic compounds of the human body related to disease and disorder. Journal of Biochemistry. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology.