Why Are My Armpits Smelling So Bad Recently?
Smelly underarms. The smell can be nerve-wracking, unpleasant, and aggravating at times. Sometimes the smell of your underarms can indicate a medical issue. However, sweat, a natural biological process that prevents overheating, is typically to blame for odorous armpits.
You might ask yourself, “why are my armpits smelling so bad lately?” Armpit odor is a common symptom of different health conditions. For example, it may indicate liver disease or diabetes or an inability to metabolize certain foods or medications. If you have ever had armpit odor, it can signify that you need to see a doctor.
Menopause
Armpit odor can be an embarrassing and unpleasant symptom during menopause. Thankfully, it can easily be managed. You can use deodorant and wash your armpits regularly. The smell will also subside once your body has readjusted to the hormonal changes associated with menopause.
Sweat is one of the leading causes of menopause body odor. Hot flushes cause you to sweat, and they can get trapped underneath your clothes. If this happens, it’s best to change clothing to avoid the smell. However, if you can’t change your clothes often, avoid wearing anything too tight or revealing.
During menopause, estrogen levels in the body decrease. As a result, the hypothalamus receives a false signal that your body is overheated, and it responds by increasing sweat production, which increases body odor. Various treatments are available to help women deal with this condition, including natural remedies like zinc and magnesium, which can help banish body odor. However, if the symptoms persist, consult your doctor.
Your body odor will change during menopause, and your regular deodorant may no longer work. You may need to try different kinds of deodorant to find the one that suits your needs. You may even need to use a medicated deodorant.
The vaginal pH level is affected by menopause, which can lead to a foul vaginal odor. As a result, you may feel uncomfortable and itchy. You may even develop a vaginal infection. To treat this, it’s best to consult a gynecologist.
Stress
A pimple-like or pus-filled spot in the armpit may cause the odor. A new medication can also cause it. A doctor can conduct a physical exam to rule out underlying illnesses. If you notice that one armpit smells worse after a shower, it may be a sign of a disease.
Stress and hormone changes can also make your armpits smell bad. In addition, anxiety causes apocrine glands to secrete more sweat than usual. Sweat from these glands mixes with bacteria from the skin’s surface and can lead to a body odor.
If you suffer from excessive sweating, you may want to consider getting a surgical procedure. An endoscopic thoracic sympathectomy, or ETS, is one way to reduce underarm sweating. While this procedure isn’t a cure, it can help with your quality of life. If you don’t want to go under the knife, you can also use a hand-held device that uses electromagnetic waves to destroy sweat glands.
The odor in your armpit is a result of bacteria in your sweat. These bacteria secrete thioalcohol, which is a molecule produced in the armpits. As the bacteria break down these molecules, they release an odor. An infection may also cause the odor.
If you’re frequently exercising, you should shower after every workout to avoid bacteria buildup. Also, it would help if you shaved often. This can prevent bacteria from developing in your armpits.
Natural remedies
If you suffer from a lousy armpit odor, there are many natural remedies you can try. For example, green tea has antibacterial properties and can help you prevent sweating. Soak a green tea bag in water and place it under your armpits. This remedy will remove the odor and reduce the amount of sweating you experience.
Apple cider vinegar is another natural remedy that can be applied to your armpits. It contains citric acid, which is a good antibacterial. In addition, the acid helps destroy bacteria that cause a foul odor. Try applying this mixture to your armpits with a cotton ball twice daily.
Rose water is another natural remedy you can try. Rose water has astringent properties that can reduce the size of your pores. This reduces sweat production by inhibiting bacteria that cause body odor. Mix rose water and apple cider vinegar and spray it on the affected area.
Lavender has antibacterial properties and a pleasant, soft fragrance. Mixing lavender oil with baking soda or cornstarch will help your body eliminate sweat and reduce body odor. A mixture of lemon juice and vinegar will also reduce bacteria in the area. A cotton ball soaked in apple cider vinegar and water can also be applied to affected areas to treat foul armpit odor.
Lemon juice and baking soda are two other effective treatments for armpit odor. Baking soda is a common household ingredient and is widely used to help eliminate body odor. However, there are no scientific studies to support the use of baking soda, and some users report both positive and negative effects.
Medical conditions
If you have noticed that your armpits have been smelling so bad recently, it may be a sign that you have a medical condition. Hyperhidrosis is a common medical condition affecting about 3% of the population and causes the sweat glands to become more active. While this condition is usually harmless, it can cause an unpleasant odor, as sweat mixes with bacteria and produces an odor.
Fortunately, there are several remedies available to help stop your armpits from smelling so severely:
- You can wash them daily and apply an antiperspirant.
- You can avoid certain foods and alcohol.
- Make sure to wear clean clothes.
Other things that cause armpits to smell so severely include changes in diet, alcohol, and spicy foods. If the problem is persistent, you should visit your doctor. If you’ve been using antiperspirants, the chemicals can increase the harmful bacteria in your armpit microbiome. Stopping antiperspirants can also cause sudden changes in your armpit odor.
A doctor can recommend antiperspirants or other treatments if the problem is chronic. Botox injections are an option, but these may burn or irritate your skin. Botox injections, also called Botox, block the chemicals that cause sweat glands to function. These treatments may take time to take effect. However, they can help treat armpit odor.
Clothing
Some people’s armpits can become smelly because of certain medical conditions. For instance, women may have a condition called trimethylaminuria, which prevents their bodies from breaking down certain compounds naturally occurring in fish, soy, and cruciferous vegetables. People with kidney failure, liver disease, and diabetes may also experience this problem. Depending on the cause, they may have to take prescription-strength antiperspirants.
Other causes of body odor include changes in diet, alcohol, and medications. Inflammatory diseases may also trigger a change in body odor. In addition, the warm moist environment of the armpit is a breeding ground for bacteria. These microbes can produce unpleasant odors and even be embarrassing. Since the 1950s, scientists have studied the bacteria responsible for body odor. The armpit microbiome contains various bacteria, including Staphylococcus and Corynebacterium species. Some bacteria break down the odorless sweat glands, creating a stinky body odor.
In addition to a change in the bacterial odor, some medications can cause excessive sweating. Some commonly prescribed drugs can cause this problem, including antidepressants, penicillin, and bromides. Infections such as brucellosis, HIV, malaria, and endocarditis may also contribute to this problem.
Some people use antiperspirants, which have been shown to reduce the amount of body odor. However, they may not be a permanent solution and can worsen body odor when the user stops using antiperspirants after a long time. Those with lousy armpit odor may want to consider a men’s deodorant.
If excessive sweating is the cause of the problem, it’s best to consult a doctor. You can try using prescription-strength antiperspirant, which helps to reduce sweat, but sometimes causes irritation or burning. In such cases, your doctor may recommend other treatments, including botulinum toxin injections (sometimes referred to as Botox), which can block the chemical that triggers the sweat glands.