Underarm Odor
Common Causes for Underarm Odor
Chances are you have come across someone in your life that has horrible underarm odor, not odor expected after working out, playing sports, or working in the hot sun, but odor that is there 24 hours a day regardless of physical activity. Unfortunately, some people with underarm odor of this type are so accustomed to it that they are not even aware while others know and feel embarrassed to be around people.
Keep in mind that an underarm odor such as this is not the result of excessive sweating but actually bacteria living beneath the skin. Known as anaerobic bacteria, this develops most often when adequate oxygen is not being delivered to the armpit area. However, metabolism can also be a factor in underarm odor, which is a natural means of the body eliminating toxins. Therefore, when a person has a metabolic imbalance, he or she would likely experience a stronger odor.
Of course, poor hygiene can also be a cause of underarm odor, which is corrected easily with regular bathing, wearing clean clothing, and using quality deodorant. Obviously, if you know of someone that has odor because of this, as a friend, it is only fair that the individual be told. Yes, this is hard and probably embarrassing for both people but it also gives that person the opportunity and support to make proper changes.
Sometimes, even environmental toxins can be a contributor to underarm odor. For instance, certain things around the home or work, diet, and products being used might be the problem. In this case, the body is being exposed to toxins that over time, accumulate within the body so when the liver and kidneys can no longer flush the toxins out, the result is underarm odor. The best option in this situation is to go through a good detoxification so all the unhealthy and even dangerous toxins can be flushed out.
Some people have a certain makeup of chemistries that they naturally have an unpleasant underarm odor. For people nearby, the odor is offensive and often, overwhelming. The first thing to consider is diet. Certain foods have been shown to have a direct link on the odor the body produces. As an example, offensive body odor has been directly linked to spicy foods that contain garlic, onion, or even curry, as well as alcohol and coffee. Even eating a lot of legumes, fish, eggs, and other proteins can cause a fishy smell.
Interestingly, even some diseases can cause underarm odor. For instance, people with diabetes, liver disease, hypoglycemia, metabolic dysfunction, parasites, or those going through extreme stress or menopause trigger high levels of sweat and odor. The exact underarm odor would be different for each illness but in all cases, the odor is unpleasant. For people with liver disease, the smell is similar to ammonia whereas for people with diabetes, there is often an odor of varnish or nail polish remover. The thing to remember is that no matter the cause, seeing a doctor for bad underarm odor would be advised so a solution can be identified.