Humans are social animals who interact with each other all the time. Every person naturally has a body odor, which is usually faint. However, when certain stimuli occur, this faint odor can turn into an unpleasant smell, which we call “body odor”.
Understanding Sweat Glands and Odor Glands
There are two types of sweat glands in humans. The first type is
- sweat glands distributed under the skin all over the body, which function to produce sweat to dissipate heat from inside the body. These sweat glands secrete sweat when the body is in a hot environment or during exercise to prevent the body temperature from rising too high.
- the second type of sweat glands found in the armpits and groin, and sometimes behind the ears or in the neck folds. These are commonly called odor glands. They are present from birth but start functioning during adolescence. Their role is to produce scent, which is a type of sexual characteristic in humans. The secretions from these odor glands contain various fatty acids and are thick liquids. Normally, they have no smell, but when secreted onto the skin surface and come into contact with bacteria or strong-smelling foods we eat, they can cause unpleasant odors.
How Does Body Odor Occur? Is It Related to Excessive Sweating?
Body odor usually comes from odor glands, which is different from sweat produced by sweat glands. Body odor may or may not be associated with excessive sweating. It can be observed that some people have body odor right after exercising, while others do not. Some people may not sweat but have a strong body odor. This shows that the cause of body odor is not related to sweat but other factors, which can be divided into two groups:
- External causes such as bacteria or fungi on the skin, especially in areas with odor glands.
- Internal causes such as the secretion of certain substances from odor glands and sweat glands, including stress, being overweight, eating strong-smelling or spicy foods like spices and garlic, drinking alcohol, using antidepressant medications, excessive sweating disorders, or certain health conditions that can cause different types of body odor, such as diabetes, liver disease, or kidney disease.
Treatment and Prevention of Body Odor
- Maintaining hygiene by cleaning the armpits and groin areas helps reduce the amount of odor-causing substances secreted from odor glands.
- Using antibacterial soap can help reduce bacteria, but it should not be used too often as it may cause dry skin and irritation.
- Avoid staying in very hot, humid, or poorly ventilated areas.
- Using deodorant products after cleaning the body. The main ingredient in deodorants is Aluminium Chloride to reduce sweat production. Some products also contain antibacterial agents and fragrances. People who are allergic to fragrances should choose fragrance-free products or use alum instead. However, perfume should not be used to mask body odor as it can cause unpleasant smells and annoy people around.
- Shaving or laser hair removal in the armpit area to prevent bacteria and accumulation of odor-causing substances.
- Botulinum toxin injections, commonly called Botox, administered by a doctor under the skin of the armpits to reduce the activity of odor glands. This treatment is effective but expensive.
- Surgical removal of odor glands is an effective treatment but may have side effects such as scarring, infection, and requires treatment by a specialized surgeon.
How Does Body Odor Affect Daily Life?
Most people with body odor do not notice their own smell, but it can disturb those around them. It is a sensitive issue to inform the person, so it should be done by someone close, such as family members or close friends, who can gently tell them. Strong body odor may cause a lack of confidence or reduce quality of life. Therefore, close people should encourage and advise proper practices to reduce body odor and restore confidence.
Dr. Praneet Satchajareonpong
Dermatology Clinic, Phyathai 2 Hospital
