August 12, 2024
From fresh baked cookies to blossoming flowers and newly cut grass, smells often conjure up cozy feelings – or sometimes hint at what’s for dinner. But what should you do when a smell is unpleasant, and it’s coming from you? While we might be tempted to write off our body odors as no big deal, it’s important to pay attention and understand common reasons behind those funky smells, as well as how to help curb them.
Reason #1: Stress
From deadlines at work, to relationships, to rush-hour traffic and everything in between, there’s no shortage for reasons to be stressed. And when we’re stressed, or even anxious or nervous, we’re more likely to sweat, which indirectly impacts how we smell. Here’s how: one type of sweat that our bodies produce is rich in fat, and when bacteria that naturally lives on our skin breaks down this fat-rich sweat, it creates the unique range of smells we know as body odor. If you’ve noticed your B.O. creeping out at the office, home, or during your commute, it could be that your body is producing sweat as a response to the stress, anxiety or fear you’re feeling.
If you’re worried about your stress levels, or want to help curb your anxiety or worry, solutions such as meditation, exercise and talking with a trusted health professional are great starting points and may help you feel better.
Reason #2: Eating Spicy or Stinky Foods
Whether your weapon of choice is curry powder, hot sauce or spicy mayo, zesting up your food with a punch of heat can lead to some stinky situations. The biggest reason? Spicy foods often cause us to sweat more, which contributes indirectly to our body odors, as mentioned earlier. Have you noticed your sweat or body odor smells like onions? Strong-smelling foods like garlic and onion are notorious for causing bad breath – and they contain compounds, such as sulfur, that can be released from your pores and contribute to body odor, too. Other sulfur-containing foods that might add to that stinky smell include broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage and kale.
Before making any changes to your diet, be sure to talk to your provider or a nutritionist, who can help recommend foods based on your own dietary needs. (Sorry, but you can’t get out of eating broccoli that easily.)
Reason #3: Underlying Conditions or Illnesses
Being sick doesn’t only make you feel bad – it can also make you smell bad. Common ailments like the flu, a cold or bronchitis can lead you to stink on a smaller scale, specifically bad breath from increased mucus production. You may also notice that you’re a little smelly if you have a fever or chills, which contribute to more sweating. In some more serious cases, consistent or sudden body odor can indicate a chronic problem or illness which can have distinct scents:
UTIs and STDs - If your urine smells like sulfur – and you didn’t eat asparagus – then an urinary tract infection (UTI) may be to blame. If your urine smells fishy, there’s a burning sensation or an increased need to urinate, it could be a UTI caused by bacteria in the urine. Similarly, certain bacterial infections like bacterial vaginosis, also known as vaginitis, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like chlamydia and gonorrhea, may cause a fishy smell or change in vaginal odor. If you think a UTI, STD or bacterial infection is behind your smell, visit a trusted healthcare partner like MedExpress, who can help establish a diagnosis and prescribe antibiotics, if appropriate, or suggest other treatment types.
Uncontrolled Diabetes - High levels of blood glucose can increase body odor. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a serious condition in which your body lacks insulin, depriving cells of the sugar they need for energy. One of the symptoms is a distinct, fruity breath smell.1 If your urine smells sweet or fruity that can also serve as a warning sign of diabetes.
Liver or Kidney Problems - The kidneys and liver help remove toxins from our bodies. When they cannot function properly, toxins can build up in the blood and digestive tract, creating odor. 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. If you have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid) or Grave’s disease, your body can produce an excessive amount of sweat, even if you aren’t doing anything to exert yourself. Thyroids are responsible for regulating the metabolism so having one that is overactive can lead to rapid heartbeat, poor sleep a lot of sweat.
Typhoid and Yellow Fever - Typhoid can cause someone to smell like baked bread while yellow fever often gives off the unusual odor of a butcher’s shop. Though those are generally uncommon conditions in the U.S., international travelers have a greater risk of contracting these diseases.
Talk to a healthcare professional promptly if body odor has suddenly changed and there's no clear reason why - it could be a sign of something more serious.
Reason #4: Skin Infections
If the source of your smell is coming from your shoes, there’s a chance that athlete’s foot could be the source of your stench. Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that makes your skin scaly and red, and causes itchy, burning, stinging and smelly feet. If it’s not properly treated, it can spread to other parts of your body, as well as other people, and even can lead to bacterial infections like cellulitis. Be sure to visit your health care provider if you think that your unexpected foot odor is from athlete’s foot; they can provide medication and guidance to help get rid of the fungus.
Reason #5: Hormonal Imbalances
Hormones are chemicals that coordinate different functions in your body by carrying messages through your blood to your organs, skin, muscles and other tissues. These signals tell your body what to do and when to do it. Hormonal fluctuations can be a cause of why you may smell. For some women sweating may increase from early teen years to perimenopause which is the transition from reproductive adulthood to menopause (1 year after the last menstruation).2
Estrogen known as the primary “female” hormone promotes the growth and health of the female reproductive organs. Estrogen levels generally decline during perimenopause in an irregular way and drop during menopause. When this happens the body often mistakes this as a sign that it’s overheating. This hormonal change can then lead hot flashes and night sweats which can contribute to body odor.
People who are pregnant often report waves of sweatiness in response to the massive hormonal increase as well as when the person is postpartum, night sweats happen because of low levels of estrogen. Hormones are produced by glands, so if you don't know the source of your hormone imbalance but suspect you have one, see a doctor as hormone and glandular problems can be serious.
For the most part body odor and sweating is just an unpleasant part of life. Whether you’re thinking about cutting back on the garlic or maybe just need to use a little more deodorant after the gym, being mindful of your body’s smells is an important way to gauge your overall health and stay proactive in treating potential conditions that could be more serious.
Originally published November 2022. Updated August 2024.
References:
1 CDC. About Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Last Updated May 15, 2024. Accessed August 2024.
2 CeMCOR. Last updated 2022. Accessed October 11, 2022.