Sometimes the cause of extreme body odor is obvious, as is the solution. Other times, you need to embark on a detective hunt to find out what's causing you or someone you care about to develop that objectionable smell. When you realize--or you're told--that you have excessive body odor, you want to get rid of it so you're more pleasant to be around.
Body's Metabolism
Perspiration is odorless. When the moisture is affected by your body's metabolism, unpleasant body odor can be the result. As your body metabolizes food and drink, it's also ridding itself of the waste it won't be using.
If you develop a metabolic imbalance, you can develop a stronger body odor, according to the Hyperhidrosis website.
Stress
Your body's apocrine glands secrete a fatty type of sweat straight into the tubule of the gland. When you are under additional emotional stress from work or home issues, the walls of the apocrine gland tubule begin to contract, pushing the sweat straight to your skin's surface.
Bacteria residing on the surface of your skin interact with this fatty sweat, causing the sweat to break down, causing additional body odor, according to the website of the Riverside Regional Medical Center in Virginia.
Poor Hygiene
Neglecting to take regular showers or wash clothing causes a buildup of body odor. As the odor builds on your body and clothing, it becomes more noticeable and unpleasant, according to the Hyperhidrosis website. The simplest solution is to wash your clothing and shower on a more regular basis.
Natural fibers such as silk, cotton and wool are less likely to accumulate body odor because they allow your skin to breathe, so your perspiration can dry.
Drugs
Some drugs can make you sweat excessively. These include some antipsychotic drugs, acetaminophen, aspirin, thyroxine--thyroid hormone--and morphine.
If you're using any of these kinds of hormones or medications and you begin to sweat more, this can cause excess body odor, according to the Riverside website.
Disease
Some diseases, such as diabetes, can cause you to develop a stronger body odor. If you're diabetic and you rely on insulin to control your blood glucose, your sweat can smell like acetone or nail polish remover.
Other conditions, such as metabolic imbalances, parasites or menopause can cause you to start sweating more. As this happens, body odor becomes more obvious, according to the Hyperhidrosis website.
Foods and Beverages
You are what you eat. When it comes to perspiration and body odor, the foods you eat and beverages you drink can contribute to additional sweating. Spicy foods or hot beverages such as coffee can make you sweat. Drinking alcohol also can cause an increase in perspiration.
As you sweat more, you also develop more body odor, according to the Riverside website.
Member Comments