Underarm body odor causes stress in social social situations and can cause self-esteem to plummet. Healthy people sweat, and the Mayo Clinic says that for most people the odor that results is manageable with careful hygiene and over-the-counter deodorants.The Mayo Clinic experts also suggest avoiding foods like onions or garlic if a person perceives a link between diet and underarm odor. However, in some cases, underarm odor signals a serious problem.
Sweat Glands
Experts at the Mayo Clinic explain the two types of sweat glands. Eccrine glands cover most of the skin surface and open directly to the surface of the skin. Apocrine sweat glands are embedded in hairy areas like the scalp, groin and underarms. Built up sweat in the apocrine gland tubule pushes to the surface of the skin when a person is under stress. On the skin's surface, normal skin bacteria begin to break apocrine sweat down causing underarm body odor. Mayo clinic experts recommend applying over-the-counter antiperspirants at night, or try fragrance-free brands.
Excessive Sweat
Excessive Sweat or hyperhydrosis occurs when the body secretes sweat without any warning or trigger according to the American Academy of Dermatology. People who suffer from hyperhydrosis may sweat in cool temperatures or in the absence of stress. In addition to the discomfort and embarrassment of underarm body odor, excessive sweating may result because of an underlying condition such as thyroid disorder or low blood sugar. A family physician may refer an otherwise healthy person to a dermatologist to discuss options for controlling sweat and body odor. When over the counter antiperspirants ad deodorants fail, a doctor may prescribe aluminum chloride to control sweat.
Trimethylaminuria
The National Institutes of Health's National Library of Medicine describes trimethylaminuria as an uncommon genetic disorder in which the body becomes unable to break down trimethylamine, a compound the body makes through the process of digesting food. Too much trimethylamine in the body produces a fishy odor in the sweat, urine and breath of those affected. Genetic testing is available and treatment options include low dose antibiotics to control the production of some intestinal bacteria. Avoiding choline, which is present in foods such as egg yolks and soybeans, can also prove effective according to geneticists at the National Institutes of Health.
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