Why does stale sweat smell

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Symptoms Causes Treatment Prevention Seeking medical help Summary Everyone has a unique body odor BO , which can be pleasant or subtle, but when we think of BO, we usually think of an unpleasant smell. Sudden change in body odor symptoms. Sudden change in body odor causes. Sudden change in body odor treatments. Healthy habits. When to see a doctor. Read this next. Medically reviewed by Kevin Martinez, MD.

Medically reviewed by Suzanne Falck, MD. Medically reviewed by Kevin Martinez, M. Medically reviewed by Deborah Weatherspoon, Ph. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Sweating and body odor are common when you exercise or you're too warm.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Goldsmith LA, et al. Biology of eccrine and apocrine glands. In: Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. New York, N. This can stop sweat from drying on the skin, mixing with bacteria, and producing odors. A person can wash with antibacterial soap to reduce the amount of bacteria that may mix with sweat and cause odors. A person may also be able to reduce their risk of fungal skin infections by washing frequently.

If a person notices that eating certain spices, seasonings, or foods makes their sweat smell like vinegar, they can try reducing the amount of those foods they eat, or removing them from their diet completely.

Stress can cause an increase in sweating. By reducing the stressors in their life, a person may be able to also reduce the amount they sweat and any odors that occur because of sweating.

If a person notices their sweat smells like vinegar, they should look out for other symptoms of underlying conditions. For example, other symptoms of diabetes, along with a change in body odor, include :. Other symptoms of kidney disease include :. If a person develops a rash, signs of infection, or experiences unexplained weight loss or weight gain, they should contact a doctor for advice. The International Hyperhidrosis Society recommends :. However, there are other treatments that can help a person who is concerned about the smell of their sweat.

They include:. Microwave thermolysis uses microwave energy to destroy the sweat glands and stop them from working. A study concluded that microwave thermolysis is effective against excessive sweating. Another study in Asian people found that microwave thermolysis was effective specifically for sweat with bad odors.

A person can get Botox injections to stop sweating. Botox is the name for botulinum toxin A, which stops the eccrine glands from releasing sweat. Treatment with Botox can last for 6 to 9 months. A person can try prescription antiperspirants if over-the-counter antiperspirants are not working for them. Prescription antiperspirants can contain higher amounts of active ingredients such as metallic salts, including aluminum chloride hexahydrate.

A person may also try antifungal skin creams if excessive sweating has caused a fungal skin infection, such as candidiasis. A person can decrease the smell of their sweat by keeping their skin and clothes dry, washing regularly with antibacterial soap, or using medications to treat underlying health conditions. A person can also change their diet if they notice their sweat smells like vinegar when they eat particular foods. If you're not one of the lucky ones and are left scouring search results for answers to "why does my sweat smell," the good news is you have more control over your stench than you think.

Turns out, your armpit doesn't smell because of the sweat itself, but rather it's the bacteria that feast on your perspiration that causes the sweat to smell. Here are nine possible answers to the age-old question of "why does my sweat smell? Go easy on your body; it's just doing its job.

If just imagining a blind date makes you sweat, you're not alone. A majority of people report breaking out into a nervous sweat when confronted with something stressful. Anxiety activates the hormone cortisol in your body, which in turn kicks your sweat glands into high gear. The sweat then gets trapped in your leggings or tank, combines with bacteria, and suddenly you have smelly sweat on your hands. Natural fibers including cotton, wool, and linen soak up sweat from your skin and allow it to evaporate.

But while synthetic fibers including Rayon, polyester, nylon, and even some natural fibers such as silk look pretty, their ability to repel water and sweat will make your sweat smell worse in the end.