If you wake up with particularly bad breath, have stinky armpits after a workout, or really need a shower after a long day, consider yourself in good company. As humans, some level of pervasive odor is normal and can usually be removed by brushing your teeth or applying deodorant. But did you know that a sudden increase in body odor or any smell that seems “off” could be a sign of an underlying health issue?
As Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy, a primary care physician in Doctor Spring, says, there are some telltale signs that your body odor may be a side effect, and it might be time to see your doctor. "Pay attention to whether you are sweating or smelling even with a lack of activity, if you have other symptoms, or if the smell is new or worsening, as these may be caused by more than just sweating," he tells Bustle.
Keep an eye out (or nose) for sour body odor or sweat odor that smells like bread dough, no matter how weird it may seem. While you're at it, check for odors that aren't sweat-related, too. Some odors emanating from your mouth, scalp, feet, or vaginal area may indicate an infection, hormonal imbalance, or other underlying condition that you need to treat as soon as possible.
Feel like you stink more than you should? Read below for a list of various odors that may be signs of health problems.
1. "Sweet" smell
It's one thing to have bad breath in the morning, but it's another thing entirely to have sweet or fruity breath for no apparent reason. In fact, if you notice this or someone else points it out, see your doctor or emergency room immediately.
Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, MD, an attending physician at NYU Langone Medical Center, told us: "This may indicate diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a potentially fatal metabolic disease that may be a symptom of uncontrolled diabetes. Complications.” Busy.
The distinctive smell is the result of the body breaking down fatty acids, which can lead to an increase in ketones, "specifically acetone, which creates a unique smell," adds board-certified dermatologist Dr. Marissa Garsik . "This can be considered a serious medical condition."
2. Bad breath that cannot be eliminated
Do you still have bad breath after brushing, flossing, and gargling? If so, you may have bad breath. "This general term used for bad breath can have a variety of causes, such as poor dental hygiene," as well as more serious problems, Tripathy says.
One of them is periodontitis, also known as gum disease, which is a serious oral infection that can lead to tooth loss. "The odor can also be caused by an underlying health condition, such as acid reflux," says Tripathy.
Acid reflux occurs when stomach contents pass into the throat and mouth. Because of the acid, it can make your breath smell sour or even like poop (yes, poop). Not only is it unpleasant, but over time it can cause damage to the esophagus.
3. Vaginal “fishy smell”
While it's common to have an odor in the vaginal area, if the odor becomes stronger or can be described as "fishy," you may want to see your doctor as this may indicate a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or other infection.
"A 'fishy' odor coming from the vagina may be a sign of bacterial vaginosis (BV)," says Carolyn Mitchell, MD, MPH, a faculty member at the Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology at Massachusetts General Hospital. Caroline Mitchell tells Bustle. "Bacterial vaginosis is a change in the vaginal bacterial community that may lead to increased discharge and odor, especially after sex."
Since this particular infection can lead to other gynecological health problems, it's important to treat it as soon as possible. Typically, this will involve a course of antibiotics.
4. Bad breath after illness
If you develop bad breath after a cold, you may attribute it to residual postnasal drip. That said, "Chronic bad breath can also be a sign of bacterial overgrowth in your gums or even an acute or chronic sinus infection," practicing naturopathic physician Dr. Jennifer Stagg tells Bustle.
It's not uncommon for colds to turn into other illnesses. So if you've been sick recently and have had bad breath since then, this could be a sign of an ongoing infection.
5. Feet smell after bathing
Just like any other part of your body, you may notice that your feet give off a slight feeling of excitement after a long day. This could be caused by dirty socks, odor clinging to them, or sweat buildup. But if you still smell bad after taking a shower or washing your feet, it may mean you have athlete's foot.
"The smell here is classic sweat locker room stench," Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, FAAD, president and co-founder of Modern Dermatology and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital, tells Bustle.
Other symptoms of athlete's foot include redness, blisters and scaly skin on the feet, Robinson said. The red area may also be very itchy, especially when you take off your socks and shoes for the first time.
6. Sweat caused by “stress” smells particularly bad.
While anyone can sweat during times of stress, excessive sweating is especially common for people with anxiety disorders. It coats you with a particularly pungent "stress sweat," especially in your armpits and groin area.
This sweat comes from completely different glands than regular sweat and usually has a stronger smell. If you think anxiety may be the source, talk to a therapist about ways to manage stress and calm your nerves.
7. Skin infections with particularly unpleasant odors
There is a difference between normal body odor and an odor that may be a sign of a skin condition, and it's usually the intensity of the odor. That's why anything on the skin that can be described as "irritating" may be a cause for concern.
For example, some skin infections "may cause a rancid odor as a byproduct of bacterial growth," Stagg says. "Gangrene is dying tissue and has one of the most unpleasant odors, smelling like rotting flesh."
Other skin infections to watch out for include staph infections and fungal infections, which need to be treated by a doctor.
8. Body odor caused by hyperthyroidism
Hormone imbalance is another condition that often leads to excessive sweating, which in turn increases body odor. As Tripathy said, thyroid problems, such as hyperthyroidism, can make you sweat even when you're inactive.
Other symptoms of hyperthyroidism include nervousness, brittle hair, changes in bowel patterns, facial puffiness, increased heart rate, and fatigue.
Any new or worsening odor is caused by excessive sweating. As Stagg says, this is because excess moisture on the skin mixes with natural bacteria, increasing the chance of developing body odor.
9. Sweat smells like ammonia
Some internal health issues can also cause unpleasant body odor. While you shouldn't jump to conclusions or assume the worst, it can be due to serious conditions such as liver and kidney disease. "People with liver and kidney disease may experience unpleasant body odor and bad breath," Stagg said.
Other symptoms of liver disease include abdominal pain and swelling, itchy skin, dark urine, and pale stools. Symptoms of kidney disease include nausea, vomiting, and persistent itching.
"When these organs don't function properly," adds Tripathi, "toxins can build up in the digestive tract and blood. This can cause sweat to smell like ammonia."
10. A unique smell linked to melanoma
While it's not something you can detect on your own, 2013 research from the Monell Chemical Senses Center suggests there may be a distinct odor associated with melanoma and other skin cancer cells. "Researchers found that nanotechnology-based sensors can differentiate between melanoma cells and healthy skin cells," Robinson said. "This odor is detected by an 'electronic nose' and cannot be detected by humans."
That's why it's long been suspected that dogs can "sniff out" cancer, because tumors give off an odor, she added. Although you won't notice it yourself, you can let your dermatologist know about new spots or changes in your skin and get a complete skin exam every year.
11. Lingering sour taste
If you have hyperhidrosis (which causes excessive sweating), you're more likely to suffer from body odor, which is "the result of bacteria and yeast that normally live on the skin breaking down sweat and can be triggered by food and medications," "Robinson said. "The smell here is BO at maximum volume. "
Pungent foods such as garlic or oregano may cause or give off an odor, but the smell has also been described as rancid or "sweet and sour," Robinson said. As for the aforementioned “bread dough” smell? Tripathy says this could be due to a vaginal yeast infection or even an armpit yeast infection.
"The general rule of thumb in all fields of medicine is to focus on changes in the body," Robinson said. "They're almost always telling you something, [so] watch for changes, pay attention to triggers and symptoms, and discuss them with your doctor."
source:
Dr. Jaydeep Tripathy, primary care physician
Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, MD, Physician
Dr. Marisa Garshick, MD, board-certified dermatologist
Caroline Mitchell, MD, MPH, faculty member, Vincent Center for Reproductive Biology
Dr. Jennifer Stagg, practicing naturopathic physician
Deanne Mraz Robinson, MD, FAAD, President and Co-Founder of Modern Dermatology and Assistant Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Yale New Haven Hospital