Underarm perspiration becomes smelly when it reaches bacteria on the skin. Sometimes, severe body odor signals another medical condition, notes the Mayo Clinic. Most underarm sweating occurs in excessive heat, when someone is nervous or anxious and while exercising or working. While perspiration can be a nuisance, the odor that accompanies it can be more troublesome.
Over-the-Counter Products
Over-the-counter deodorants and antiperspirants can effectively treat underarm odor for most people. Antiperspirants that contain aluminum or metallic salts block the sweat pores under the arm and keep underarms dry, creating no sweat to mix with skin bacteria. Deodorants don't stop the perspiration, but they usually contain alcohol that turns the skin slightly acidic and repels bacteria. Scented deodorants add another layer that can mask any odor that does develop.
Prescriptions
Your doctor can prescribe a stronger antiperspirant that contains added aluminum chloride if you haven't been able to manage underarm odor with over-the-counter products. Brands such as Xerac and Drysol are applied at night to the underarms. Possible side effects of the stronger products include redness, swelling and itching. Washing the solutions off in the morning helps to alleviate continued discomfort throughout the day.
Botox
Botulinum toxin, manufactured under the brand name Botox, is used to treat severe underarm sweating, or primary auxiliary hyperhidrosis, that doesn't respond to topical treatments. The poison is injected into the skin under the arms and blocks the chemical signals that come from the nerves and stimulate the sweat glands. Serious side effects can result from the use of Botox and include botulism. Symptoms of botulism poisoning include loss of muscle strength, trouble breathing and loss of bladder control. Botulism can affect vision and speaking.
Surgery
Doctors at Global Laser Cosmetics report that there are a number of surgeries available for severe cases of underarm sweating. Endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, or ETS, is a popular procedure that involves interrupting the nerve signals from the spinal column that cause sweating. Patients are put under general anesthesia for this procedure that often results in excessive sweating in other areas of the body, referred to as compensatory sweating. Other surgeries involve removing the sweat glands from under the arms and liposuction that removes excessive fat that causes sweat and bacteria to form.
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