What Causes Body Odor?
Body odor is the smell we give off when sweat mixes with the bacteria on our skin, according to Mayo Clinic. In other words, it’s not your sweat that smells bad, as sweat itself does not smell.
There are two main types of sweat glands, according to StatPearls: eccrine and apocrine.
Eccrine glands are found throughout your body. They release sweat to cool you down when you get too hot.
Apocrine glands are found in hairy areas, such as under the arms and on the groin. They release a milky fluid when you’re stressed. Sweat from your apocrine glands can smell especially bad when it mixes with your skin bacteria.
There are numerous reasons scent can linger after you shower.
1. Antiperspirant Mistakes
Do you typically apply your antiperspirant after hopping out of the shower in the morning? It may not be the most effective way to keep sweat and underarm odor at bay.
“Antiperspirants are most effective when used at bedtime,” Dr. Garshick says.
Here’s why: Antiperspirants work by plugging underarm sweat glands to prevent sweat from being released, according to the International Hyperhidrosis Society.
“Because sweat glands are empty at night, they can take up more of that antiperspirant,” Garshick says.
Antiperspirants designed to work for 24 hours may keep sweat at bay even after you’ve showered the next morning.
Make sure, too, that you’re using a true antiperspirant rather than a deodorant, which masks odor but doesn’t actually stop sweat. It’s okay to apply deodorant after a shower.
Shake up your routine and switch to applying your antiperspirant at night if your armpits still smell after your morning shower.
2. Armpit Hair
Underarm hair traps more sweat than skin alone, so the sweat has more time to mix with stink-causing bacteria, says Beth Goldstein, MD, adjunct clinical professor of dermatology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
Hair-covered skin can also be tougher to get squeaky clean, so you might notice your pits are still smelly even though you shower regularly.
If you’ve got a lot of fuzz and are struggling with odor after a shower, consider shaving or waxing. One research review in the journal Skin Research & Technology found that removing underarm hair was effective at minimizing armpit odor.
3. Bacteria Buildup
If showering doesn’t get rid of your underarm odor, you might be dealing with stubborn bacteria.
We all have a mix of “good” and “bad” bacteria living on the surface of our skin, including the skin in our armpits.
“Usually, these bacteria are in a balanced state,” Garshick says. “But occasionally, that balance can become disrupted and cause an overgrowth of certain ‘bad’ bacteria.”
Fortunately, getting rid of bacteria-induced odor can be as easy as switching your body wash or soap.
“Use it daily or twice daily, without scrubbing,” Dr. Goldstein says.
Also, wear moisture-wicking clothing and dry off your armpits completely after showering. Bacteria thrive in warm, damp environments, like your still-wet and sweaty underarms, according to Mayo Clinic, so do your best to make your pits less hospitable.
4. Diet
Consuming some foods and beverages can lead to body odor, according to Cleveland Clinic, including:
- Cruciferous veggies, such as broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower
- Garlic
- Onions
- Red meat
- Spices, such as cumin or curry
- Spicy foods
- Alcohol
- Caffeine
Some of these foods are high in sulfur, which can emit a scent when you excrete it through sweat, while others make you sweat more in general, Cleveland Clinic says. Try paring down or removing these items from your diet if you are concerned about body odor after consuming them.
5. Medication Side Effects
Started a new prescription recently? If it seems like you’re sweating — and smelling — more than usual, even after a shower, the medication might be to blame.
Some medications can cause hyperhidrosis, or excessive sweating, that can potentially make your body odor more noticeable. According to Cleveland Clinic, these medications may include:
- albuterol
- bupropion (Wellbutrin)
- hydrocodone
- insulin
- levothyroxine
- lisinopril
- naproxen
- omeprazole
- sertraline (Zoloft)
Talk with your doctor about your sudden increase in body odor and your prescriptions.
6. Skin Infections
A pimple-like or pus-filled spot in your underarm can often be an odor culprit, especially if you notice that just one armpit smells after showering.
“We have all these little hair follicles in the armpit, and when people shave, there are lots of little portals of entry for potentially problematic bacteria to enter and cause what looks like an ingrown hair,” Garshick says. “But if it’s filled with pus, it could be an infection.”
Allowing the ingrown hair to heal will help get rid of the smell. Stopping shaving until the spot clears up might be enough to do the trick, according to Mayo Clinic. But in some cases, your doctor may need to prescribe a steroid or antibiotic cream to help fight off the infection.
7. Underlying Medical Conditions
Certain conditions or diseases can cause bad body odor or a change in body odor, regardless of how well you wash in the shower, according to Cleveland Clinic. These include:
- Diabetes
- Menopause
- Hyperthyroidism
- Gout
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Some infectious diseases, such as viral or bacterial infections
Some of these conditions, such as menopause and hyperthyroidism, can cause increased sweating, which may make you smell bad even with good hygiene, according to the British Thyroid Foundation.
In other cases, the odor can signal that something is off in your body. Kidney or liver disease, for example, can cause a bleach-like body odor because of a buildup of toxins in your body.
If you suspect a medical condition is behind your body odor, talk to your doctor. They can make a diagnosis and determine the best treatment.
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