Causes of Body Odor
Everyone has their own distinct body odor. But body odor is usually associated with an unpleasant smell. Body odor is what happens when your sweat is mixed up with the bacteria found on the surface of your skin. They can make an unpleasant smell on your body. Sweat in itself doesn’t smell, but when it is mixed with the bacteria that are present in your body, it can cause an odor. This is because body odor is a result of certain bacteria in your skin and how it reacts when mixed with your sweat.
To know more about the causes, symptoms, and prevention of body odor, schedule an appointment with the best primary care doctor in Brooklyn at Doral Health and Wellness.
Sweating is a natural body process, but because of the certain food that you eat, your body hygiene practices, and your genetics, your sweat can smell bad once it mixes with your skin’s bacteria.
Hyperhidrosis is a condition that makes you sweat excessively, thus making you more susceptible to body odor.
The following are the common causes that can affect your body odor:
Medical Condition
There are several reasons why your sweat has a foul odor. Some medical conditions and diseases are associated with the changes in your usual body scent:
- Diabetes
- Menopause
- Overactive thyroid
- Kidney diseases
- Infectious diseases
Hormonal Changes
Hormonal changes can also cause your body odor to smell foul. Some of the menopause symptoms such as hot flashes, hormonal fluctuations, and night sweats cause excessive sweating which can lead to changes in your body odor. Researchers also believe that your body odor can change when you are pregnant, menstruating, or during your ovulation.
Foods
What you eat also affects your body odor. When you eat foods that are rich in sulfur, you can develop body odor. Foods that are rich in sulfur include:
- Red meat
- Onions
- Cauliflower
- Broccoli
- Cabbage
- Garlic
There are also other dietary triggers of body odor, such as:
- Caffeine
- Hot sauce and spicy foods
- Certain spices, like curry and cumin
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
- Alcohol
It is best that you try to eliminate these triggers to help improve your body odor.
Other Factors
There are also other factors that affect your body odor. And they include:
- Exercise
- Stress
- Anxiety
- Obesity
- Genetics
- Weather
A change in your body odor is usually not a sign of a serious medical condition. But it can be a cause of worry especially if it starts to affect your day-to-day routine. If your body odor persists and never goes away, it is best that you set up a doctor’s appointment as it can sometimes be an underlying cause of some medical conditions.
You can contact the best primary care doctor in Brooklyn to provide you with the best comprehensive medical care and health care services. To schedule an appointment, you can visit us at 1797 Pitkin Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11212, or call us at 1-347-384-5690. You can also visit our website at https://doralhw.org or contact us at info@doralhw.org if you have any queries.