Body odor can be an embarrassing, but generally harmless, condition that is fairly easy to treat. The cause of body odor is directly tied to your body's temperature regulation system--specifically your sweat glands. Perspiration itself has little if any smell. However, when the moisture comes into contact with bacteria on your skin, it can create an offensive smell.
Physical Activity
The Mayo Clinic says it's not only natural, but healthy, to sweat when you are physically active and/or spend time in a hot environment. When your body temperature escalates, your autonomic nervous system notifies the apocrine glands (restricted mainly to the armpits and groin) to emit a fatty sweat directly into the tubule of the gland. When the tubule wall tightens, the sweat is forced to the surface of your skin where bacteria breaks it down. This decomposition often causes an unpleasant smell.
Hygiene
Many people who have body odor may be lacking in personal hygiene. Good hygiene, which includes regular bathing or showering, helps to control the amount of bacteria on your skin. Since certain fabrics such as cotton, more readily absorb odors, it's also important to frequently launder your clothes.
Anxiety
Perspiration and its subsequent odor can be triggered by anxiety and nervousness. Stress-induced sweating often occurs in your armpits, palms, soles of your feet and on your face. Your mood can also affect how much you perspire and the way it smells.
Medical Conditions
Individuals with certain medical conditions may be more prone to body odor. These may include kidney and liver diseases, fungal infection and diabetes. People with a disorder characterized by excessive sweating known as hyperhidrosis may also be more inclined to exude a foul smell when perspiring.
Dietary Considerations
Sometimes body odor is the direct result of the foods you consume. For example, some people who eat large amounts of meat or who are vegetarians have a very distinctive body odor. When foods that contain large amounts of choline, such as eggs, fish, liver and legumes are not sufficiently metabolized, they may cause a "fishy" odor. Spicy foods such as garlic, onions and curry may also cause body odor.
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