Many people feel self-conscious about body or breath odor and may wish to cover it up with deodorant, perfume or mouthwash. But by just masking smells, people could be ignoring serious health issues, according to medical experts.
Catch your breath
Do you notice your breath smelling fruity? It may not just be the peach you had with lunch, but rather a very serious medical complication of diabetes. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) occurs when your body is running low on insulin, causing your blood sugar to spike, Robert GabbaytellsMen's Health. Gabbay, chief medical officer at the Joslin Diabetes Center in Boston, said that the condition is more common in people with type 1 diabetes than type 2.
With this condition, your body isn't creating the energy needed to function properly, and it breaks down fatty acids for fuel, which creates a build-up of acidic chemicals called ketones in the blood. One such acid, acetone, causes the fruity smell, Gabbay said. DKA can be a significant health problem, even leading todiabetic coma or death, according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA).If you notice the smell along withother symptomssuch as avery dry mouth, difficulty breathing and abdominal pain, ADA recommends contacting your health care provider or going to the emergency room immediately.
On the other side of the breath spectrum, a foul smell could be a warning sign of undiagnosed sleep apnea, especially if you brush your teeth regularly. Sleep apnea causes breathing to stop and start while you sleep andmakes your mouth very dry, a common cause of bad breath.The condition leaves sufferers chronically tired and also at greater risk for diabetes, stroke, heart disease and memory loss.If you have good dentalhygienebut are still waking up with bad breath, it may be time to talk with your doctor.
Skin conditions
While some body odor is normal, a particularly strong smell could be a sign of skin disease, doctor and author Jennifer StaggtellsBustle."Skin infections can present with a putrid odor from the byproducts of bacterial growth.Gangrene, which is dying tissue, has one of the most offensive odors and smells like rotting meat."
Internal health issues may result in unpleasant body odors (BO), as well, such as liver and kidney disease andhyperthyroidism, which can lead to excessive sweat and increased BO. Stagg recommends talking with your doctor if you notice a strong smell from your skin.
Other smelly symptoms to watch:
- Stinky feet: You may have a fungal infection. Watch for dry, scaly skin around your toes, redness and blisters, which may be signs of athlete’s foot, according to theAmerican Podiatric Medical Association. Untreated athlete's foot can lead to bacterial infections like cellulitis.
- Odorous stools: This could be a sign of lactose intolerance,Shape.comreports. If you notice your gas or bowel movements are more smelly after eating or drinking dairy, you may want to check in with your doctor to make adjustments to your diet.
- Pungent urine: If you notice a strong chemical smell when you urinate, you may have a urinary tract infection.When bacteria, typically E. coli, enteryour urinary tract and urethra they multiply in your bladder, causing an infection.The smell is one of the signs of a high white blood cell count in the urine, a very reliable indicator of urinary tract infections, according to theNew York TimesHealth Guide.
FAQs
You may need to call your doctor if an odd odor sticks around. A urinary tract infection (UTI), bladder inflammation, and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes can trigger unusual smells. So can metabolic disorders, diabetic ketoacidosis (a complication of diabetes), and gastrointestinal-bladder fistulas.
Can body odor indicate illness? ›
Several medical conditions and diseases are associated with changes in a person's usual body scent: Diabetes. Gout. Menopause.
How to get rid of bacteria that cause body odor? ›
The following suggestions may help:
- Bathe daily. Regular bathing, especially with an antibacterial soap, reduces the growth of bacteria on your skin.
- Choose clothing to suit your activity. For daily wear, choose natural fabrics, such as cotton, wool and silk. ...
- Try relaxation techniques. ...
- Change your diet.
Several diseases have been discovered to harbor signature scents on the body in recent studies, including people with typhoid fever reported to smell like baked bread, people with yellow fever smelling like a butcher's shop and the glandular disease scrofula leaving people smelling like stale beer – subtle scents ...
What does kidney disease body odor smell like? ›
Kidney disease can cause build of urea and make your sweat and urine smell like ammonia. Thyroid Issues - Thyroid glands regulate many bodily functions, including our sweat response.
What diseases give off an odor? ›
A urinary tract infection (UTI), bladder inflammation, and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes can trigger unusual smells. So can metabolic disorders, diabetic ketoacidosis (a complication of diabetes), and gastrointestinal-bladder fistulas.
Does body odor mean you have toxins? ›
NOT THE WHOLE STORY. Although poor personal hygiene typically is the primary contributor to body odor, there can be other causes as well, including a nutrient deficiency, gastrointestinal problems, medical conditions, and the presence of certain toxins in the body.
What autoimmune disease causes body odor? ›
Disease Overview
Trimethylaminuria is a rare disorder in which the body is not able to metabolize the chemical trimethylamine, and this causes body odor.
What naturally kills body odor? ›
Popular Kitchen Ingredients That Significantly Reduce Body Odour:
- Rock Salt. Rock salt or sendha namak possesses powerful cleansing properties, which eliminates surplus sweat and influences the action of microbes dwelling on the surface of the skin. ...
- Green Tea Bags. ...
- Baking Soda. ...
- Apple Cider Vinegar. ...
- Tomato Juice.
Origins of Body Odor Associated with Bacterial Metabolites
The major odorants are small, volatile compounds that may either be produced in situ (skin, oral cavity) or be carried by blood from the gut, which is a major site of bacterial metabolism.
Causes of body odour
- being overweight.
- consuming rich or spicy food and drink – such as garlic, spices and alcohol.
- some types of medication – such as antidepressants.
- certain medical conditions – a fruity smell can sometimes be a sign of diabetes, while a bleach-like smell may suggest liver or kidney disease.
Finally, an overactive thyroid can cause the body to smell due to the increase in sweat due to the hyperfunction of the thyroid gland. Thyroid dysfunction has many long-term and immediate-term health implications. If you are sweating too much, take it seriously.
Can hypothyroidism cause bad body odor? ›
While thyroid disorders don't directly cause sour-smelling sweat at night, a change in thyroid hormone production can impact the rate of sweating. In turn, more sweat can result in body odor.
What does liver failure smell like? ›
Fetor hepaticus means “fetid liver” or “liver stench”. It's a type of chronic bad breath that's actually a symptom of liver disease. It has a distinctive smell — some say, like rotten eggs and garlic. It's a serious symptom.
What does liver failure body odor smell like? ›
“In the case of liver disease, sufferers can experience excessive sweating and a foul-smelling odor that's been likened to rotten eggs; which is the result of a blood-sugar spike, causes both fruity-smelling breath and a pungent body odor; and excessive sweat and odor can occur in people with due to their overactive ...
Why have I suddenly developed body odour? ›
Causes of body odour
hormonal changes. being overweight. having a condition like diabetes, kidney disease or liver disease. certain types of medicine, such as antidepressants.
What does stress body odor smell like? ›
One of the few odor-active components similar to the tension-stress odor had a more intense sulfurous and alliaceous scent than the others.
