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causes of sweet body odor

by Virginia Goyette Published 4 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Disorders That Cause a Sweet Smell on the Body

  • Disorders that Cause a Sweet Smell. There are a number of metabolic disorders that may cause a fruity smell on the breath, a sweet smell on the skin or a ...
  • Maple Syrup Urine Disease. It causes an inability for the body to break down the amino acids valine, leucine and isoleucine. ...
  • Lactic Acidosis. ...
  • Diabetic Ketoacidosis. ...

Sweating and body odor are caused by sweat glands in your body. The two main types of sweat glands are eccrine glands and apocrine glands. Eccrine glands occur over most of your body and open directly onto the surface of the skin.Sweating and body odor are caused by sweat glands in your body. The two main types of sweat glands are eccrine glands and apocrine glands. Eccrine glands occur over most of your body and open directly onto the surface of the skin.27-Oct-2021

Full Answer

What are some ways to reduce body odor?

Tips To Reduce Body Odor

  • Try and stick to an all-natural and aluminum-free deodorant.
  • Shower daily.
  • Spritz vinegar or rubbing alcohol on the sweat-prone areas.
  • Take green supplements such as chlorophyll or wheatgrass to combat body odor internally.
  • Wear clothing made of cotton so that your skin can breathe freely.

More items...

What causes body odor and how can I treat it?

often end up being excreted through the sweat glands in the form of a strong odor. While there are tons of causes of body odor there are a number of ways to treat it. These include taking regular showers, exercising and eating healthy and using deodorant when necessary. Body Odor Treatment Supplements| Lifestyle Changes To Eliminate Body Odor

Does body odor ever go away?

While there is no cure, you can reduce odor by limiting the amount of choline-rich foods in your diet. These foods include milk from wheat-fed cows, eggs, saltwater fish, organ meats (livers, brains, hearts), peanuts, and certain legumes (soy beans, chick peas, and split peas).

What causes bad body odor and its treatments?

The International Hyperhidrosis Society offer the following advice to people who are worried about excessive sweating and body odor:

  • keep the affected area of skin clean and dry
  • use antiperspirant
  • wash regularly with antibacterial soap
  • use a deodorant to mask the odor

What does a sweet body odor mean?

You May Have Diabetes, Or Liver Or Kidney Problems "For example, people with diabetes have trouble breaking down glucose in the body, so you may notice that diabetics' breath often smells sweet because of a build-up of glucose."19-Jun-2019

Why does my sweat smell kind of sweet?

If you have diabetes, a change in body odor could be a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis. High ketone levels cause your blood to become acidic and your body odor to be fruity. In the case of liver or kidney disease, your odor may give off a bleach-like smell due to toxin buildup in your body.04-Mar-2022

What does diabetes body odor smell like?

A fruity smell could indicate diabetes due to having high levels of ketones in the bloodstream, while liver or kidney disease can often lead to a bleach- or ammonia-like smell due to a buildup of toxins in the body.23-Mar-2020

What medical conditions cause body odor?

Sudden change in body odor causesDiet. The foods you eat can sometimes cause a sudden, temporary change in body odor. ... Stress. ... Diabetes (diabetic ketoacidosis) ... Menopause, menstruation, and pregnancy. ... Vaginal infections. ... Skin infections. ... Athlete's foot. ... Cancer.More items...•13-May-2019

Why does my sweat smell like vanilla?

If the sweaty guy standing in line next to you smells like vanilla—or urine—you may have whiffed a steroid in his body odor called androstenone.16-Sept-2007

What does diabetic sweat smell like?

A person living with a health condition such as diabetes or kidney disease may also have sweat that smells like ammonia. A person can try antiperspirants to reduce the amount they sweat, and deodorants to cover up any odors.

What does type 2 diabetes smell like?

Whether a person has type 1 or type 2 diabetes, an acetone-like scent in the breath can indicate diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a potentially life-threatening complication that needs immediate medical attention.

Do diabetics smell sweet?

A person with uncontrolled diabetes may have blood glucose levels that are dangerously high. The body tries to get rid of the extra glucose in the urine, and this can cause a sweet smell.15-Mar-2018

Do diabetics crave sweets?

People who have diabetes may crave sugar when their blood sugar levels drop too low; “treating” the low with sugar helps to bring blood sugar back to a safe level.24-Jul-2017

Can digestive problems cause body odor?

Leaky gut can lead to systemic inflammation, and can also cause autoimmune disorders and many other complications. Hormone imbalance and estrogen dominance are also often associated with leaky gut. Signs and symptoms include digestive issues, bad breath, body odor, bloating, gas, nausea, and constipation.26-Dec-2018

Can kidney problems cause body odor?

Internal health issues may result in unpleasant body odors (BO), as well, such as liver and kidney disease and hyperthyroidism, which can lead to excessive sweat and increased BO. Stagg recommends talking with your doctor if you notice a strong smell from your skin.04-Aug-2017

Why does it smell when I open my legs?

Sweating. Sweating in the groin area can attract fungus and bacteria that can lead to a bad smell. Showering after exercise or athletic activity can help reduce the bad-smelling effects of smells related to sweating. Putting on clean, dry clothes after a sweat session can also help.04-Jun-2020

Why does my sweat smell like sweet onions?

It turns out that when this sulfur compound is mixed with bacteria under the arm, it creates a chemical called thiol — and this chemical is known for smelling like onions.02-Feb-2009

Do diabetics smell like syrup?

A person with uncontrolled diabetes may have blood glucose levels that are dangerously high. The body tries to get rid of the extra glucose in the urine, and this can cause a sweet smell.15-Mar-2018

Why does my body smell?

Body odor is actually the fault of the bacteria that live in sweaty areas of your body. Bacteria aren't the only odoriferous offenders though. It also depends on which sweat glands are doing the sweating. You have different types of sweat glands in your skin— eccrine glands and apocrine glands .

Why does my armpit smell?

It's the sweat produced by apocrine glands that is responsible for body odor because it is high in protein that, when broken down by bacteria, causes a stink. Apocrine glands are found in select areas of the body, namely your armpits, groin, and pubic area. This explains why body odor mostly develops in your armpits and groin area, ...

What to do if you don't sweat?

If you don't sweat much but get body odor, deodorants are the way to go. If you're a sweater, make sure you get a product that is labeled both an antiperspirant and deodorant. If you get major B.O., look for a stronger product with higher percentages of active ingredients.

How to get rid of sweat odor?

Natural fibers breathe, allowing the sweat to evaporate away. Avoid fabrics that trap sweat against the skin. These allow for a better breeding ground for body odor to develop. When working out, opt for moisture-wicking fabrics. 5 .

What to do if you don't notice body odor?

If you've done everything to help reduce body odor and aren't noticing improvement, give your doctor a call. You may have something different going on that needs addressing (a fungal infection, for example). Or, you just may need a stronger treatment to get body odor under control.

What does it mean when your body smells like bleach?

In some cases, an odd body odor can be a sign of something more serious. For example, a bleach-like or urine-like smell may mean kidney or liver problems. If you notice an odd change in your normal body odor or feel something is just not right, contact your doctor.

What to use to get rid of stinky skin?

If regular showers aren't doing the trick, use an anti-bacterial soap or body wash like Dial, or a benzoyl peroxide cleanser. These washes can help reduce the number of bacteria on your skin so there is less to turn sweat into stink.

Why does my body smell like sweat?

The two main types of sweat glands are eccrine glands and apocrine glands. Eccrine glands occur over most of your body and open directly onto the surface of the skin. When your body temperature rises, these glands release fluids that cool your body as they evaporate.

Can you have an anhidrosis if you sweat?

Unusual changes in sweating — either excessive perspiration (hyperhidrosis) or little or no perspiration (anhidrosis) — can be cause for concern. Changes in body odor also may signal a health problem. Otherwise, lifestyle and home treatments can usually help with normal sweating and body odor.

Why does my urine smell sweet?

This is because the body is trying to get rid of the excess blood sugar and is disposing of glucose through your urine.

Why does my urine smell like maple syrup?

Fruity sweat: may be a sign of diabetes. Bleach sweat: you might have a liver or kidney disease. Why do I randomly smell syrup? Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is a disorder in which the body cannot break down certain parts of proteins. The urine of people with this condition can smell like maple syrup.

In This Article

Nobody likes stinky sweat or putrid-smelling pits. Still, if your perspiration produces a perfumey plume or a saccharine scent, you might be confused. And, perhaps, kind of delighted. A sweet bouquet of sweat is better than bad BO, right?

1. The Smell: Fruity

Fruity-scented sweat (or breath) could be a sign of a serious complication of diabetes called diabetic ketoacidosis

2. The Smell: Burnt Sugar (or Maple Syrup)

If your sweat, urine or earwax has an aroma of burnt sugar, you may be dealing with maple syrup urine disease (MSUD).

3. The Smell: Maple Syrup

When your sweat serves up a wafting scent of waffles and maple syrup, your diet may be the reason. Yep, what you put on your plate can produce a perfumey perspiration.

What causes body odor?

You probably notice body odor most when you’re sweating. Your body has two main types of sweat glands — eccrine and apocrine — that release fluid (sweat) onto your skin’s surface when you’re hot. Sweat serves an important purpose. As perspiration evaporates, it cools your body temperature.

What diseases can cause body odor?

People who sweat more than usual may be diagnosed with the condition hyperhidrosis. Primary hyperhidrosis is a relatively rare condition that happens without a specific cause. Secondary hyperhidrosis is related to a medical problem, such as hot flashes with menopause, an infection, or an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).

How to get rid of body odor

The easiest way to eliminate body odor is by taking a bath or shower, which will remove bacteria from your skin. However, for many people a daily shower or bath may not be necessary.

Why does sweat make my body smell?

If you’ve been working out, excessive sweat may be the culprit. If you don’t wear antiperspirant or practice healthy hygiene habits, sweat can mix with bacteria, causing an unpleasant smell. If body odor is persistent and accompanied by other symptoms, it may be something else.

Why does my body smell?

Changes to body odor may be due to puberty, excessive sweating, or poor hygiene. Sudden changes are typically caused by the environment, medications, or foods that you eat. However, body odor, especially sudden and persistent changes to your normal odor, can sometimes be a sign of an underlying condition.

Why does my breath smell fruity?

Additionally, DKA causes your breath to have a fruity odor. Medical Emergency. If you have diabetes and experience a sudden fruity smell in your breath accompanied by frequent urination and a very high blood glucose level, see a doctor immediately. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a medical emergency.

What does sudden change in body odor mean?

Sudden change in body odor symptoms. A sudden change in body odor typically occurs in a specific area of the body. Common areas include the: You may also notice a sudden smell from your stool, urine, earwax, or genital discharge. No matter the location, the odor can vary.

Why does urine smell so strong?

A bacterial UTI occurs when bacteria enter your urinary tract and multiply. This type of infection can cause your urine to produce a strong odor, along with affecting the sensation, frequency, urgency, and appearance of your urine .

What causes a fishy smell in the vagina?

Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age and often produces a fishy odor. Its other symptoms are similar to those of a yeast infection. Trichomoniasis, a type of parasitic sexually transmitted infection, often has no symptoms but may change vaginal odor.

Why does my throat smell like beer?

This is a bacterial infection that occurs in the lungs, throat, and neck, causing breath to have a foul smell. Swelling in ulcerated lymph nodes may also produce a smell of stale beer. Toxin poisoning. If you ingest certain toxins, your body odor may be affected.

Why does my sweat smell like bread dough?

A key ingredient for the delicious smell of baking bread is yeast, which is decidedly less appetising when it appears on your body.

Why does my sweat smell like vinegar?

A vinegary smell could be related to a few different health conditions.

Why does my sweat smell sweet?

If your sweat or your breath smells unusually sweet, this could be because of a higher count of ketones in your bloodstream.

How can I stop smelly sweat?

If you suspect there could be a medical reason behind your body odour, get that checked out first and foremost.

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