Having an unpleasant body odor can affect one's self-confidence. A sudden change in body odor can also lead to a lack of confidence. What causes body odor to change, and how can it be overcome?

Causes of changes in body odor

Everyone has a unique and distinctive body odor. Many factors influence our body odor, such as food and beverages consumed, medications taken, and health issues experienced. However, if your normal body odor suddenly turns unpleasant and this condition does not disappear, it may indicate an underlying health problem.

These changes in body odor usually occur in specific areas, such as the genitals, armpits, feet, mouth, and throat. You may also be able to smell unpleasant odors from stool, urine, ear wax, or genital fluids. These changes in body odor can vary, and the scent may be foul, fishy, or sour.

The other symptoms you experience may also depend on the cause. If the change in odor is due to an infection, it may also be accompanied by other symptoms such as redness, rash, and itching.

Some of the causes of changes in body odor to look out for can include:

Diet change

Some foods can trigger excessive gas production, leading to changes in sweat, urine, and stool aroma. These foods, for example:

• Broccoli
• Cauliflower
• Cabbage
• Bok choy
• Asparagus

In addition to the gas-inducing foods above, foods with a strong taste and aroma, such as garlic, onions, and radishes, can also cause changes in body odor. Smoking and drinking alcohol can also cause changes in bad breath and body odor.

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Stress

Stress and anxiety can sometimes cause you to sweat more, leading to stronger body odor. A study in 2016 revealed that hyperhidrosis and stress affect each other. Many people with the condition of hyperhidrosis experience stress, especially if excessive sweating affects their confidence levels.

Diabetes 

Uncontrolled diabetes can lead to the complication of diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a condition characterized by high levels of ketones in the body. Ketones build up to dangerous levels in the body and are excreted into the blood and urine. This condition is usually characterized by fruity-smelling breath.

Vaginal infection

Some vaginal infections, such as vaginal yeast infections, trichomoniasis, and bacterial vaginosis, can cause sudden changes in vaginal odor. Other types of infections that occur outside the vagina can also cause changes in body odor in the affected area.

Skin infections

Skin infections can also cause body odor in certain areas, such as bacterial infection of the axillary hair follicles (trichomycosis axillaris), superficial bacterial skin infection (erythrasma), intertrigo, and candidiasis.

Cancer

Some people with advanced cancer report unpleasant body odor. This is usually caused by cancerous infected wounds, which is usually experienced by 5% of cancer patients. Some conditions, such as gynecological tumors, can also cause foul-smelling vaginal discharge.

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How to deal with body odor?

It needs to be adjusted to the cause to overcome changes in body odor. If a fungal or bacterial infection causes it, treatment can be done by giving antifungal drugs and antibiotics. However, if a wound is caused due to cancer, the doctor may recommend wound infection treatment.

Some body odor treatments that you can also do include:

• Use antiprespirant or deodorant
• Ensure that the feet are not damp
• Maintain good oral hygiene
• Keeping clothes clean
• Gently clean sensitive areas such as the genital area and anus
• Shower twice a day with clean water and soap

Changes in body odor do not always indicate a serious health problem, but if it occurs continuously and does not improve immediately, you should consult a doctor. If you have health-related questions, you can consult a doctor or use the consultation feature available on the Ai Care application.

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