Causes of body odor

Body odor is related to hygiene issues but can also be caused by food, infections, and hormonal changes.

There are two main types of sweat in the body, the most common being apocrine, which involves sweat glands in the armpits and genital area. The other type is eccrine, which involves sweat glands located all over the body. The unpleasant odor is usually caused by sweat mixing with bacteria on the skin and can be influenced by many factors. Here are the causes of body odor.

Food

Garlic, onions, and spicy foods can speed up your metabolism, increasing sweating. Asparagus, broccoli, and Brussels sprouts can allow bacteria to create more sulfur compounds that cause odors on the skin. Alcohol can also cause a fruity body odor due to its conversion to acetone.

Sweat a lot

Excessive sweating can be genetic, the result of an underlying health condition, or a side effect of certain medications such as antidepressants, diabetes medications, thyroid medications, pain relievers, and antibiotics.

Unpleasant odors are often caused by sweat mixed with bacteria on the skin. Photo: Freepik — Unpleasant odors are often caused by sweat mixed with bacteria on the skin. Photo: *Freepik*

Skin infection

Skin infections are often accompanied by symptoms such as redness, inflammation, or the appearance of white, yellow, or red substances on the skin. The skin may also be warm to the touch around the red area.

Skin infections that can cause sour body odor include bacterial infections on the surface of hair follicles, intertriginous infections caused by Corynebacterium minutissimum, and pyoderma.

Hormonal changes

Hormones change during life stages such as puberty, menopause, pregnancy or the postpartum period. Sweat glands can become more active and cause more body odor and for some people.

If you notice increased body odor when consuming certain foods, you may want to eliminate those foods from your diet.

People who drink alcohol regularly or in large quantities should consider cutting back. This can help reduce body odor but also avoid other negative effects of drinking.

People who sweat a lot should change their clothes after exercising. This will help reduce moisture and prevent infections in the buttocks. Prioritize choosing clothes made of cotton or absorbent fabrics to allow sweat to evaporate naturally, avoiding the appearance of bacteria.

Huyen My (According to Livestrong )

Readers send dermatological questions here for doctors to answer

Source link