July 30, 2021
From fresh baked cookies to blossoming flowers and newly cut grass, smells often conjure up cozy feelings – or sometimes hint at what’s for dinner. But what should you do when a smell is unpleasant, and it’s coming from you? While we might be tempted to write off our body odors as no big deal, it’s important to pay attention and understand common reasons behind those funky smells, as well as how to help curb them.
Reason #1: Stress
From deadlines at work, to relationships, to rush-hour traffic and everything in between, there’s no shortage for reasons to be stressed. And when we’re stressed, or even anxious or nervous, we’re more likely to sweat, which indirectly impacts how we smell. Here’s how: one type of sweat that our bodies produce is rich in fat, and when bacteria that naturally lives on our skin breaks down this fat-rich sweat, it creates the unique range of smells we know as body odor. If you’ve noticed your B.O. creeping out at the office, home, or during your commute, it could be that your body is producing sweat as a response to the stress, anxiety or fear you’re feeling.
If you’re worried about your stress levels, or want to help curb your anxiety or worry, solutions such as meditation, exercise and talking with a trusted health professional are great starting points and may help you feel better.
Reason #2: Eating Spicy or Stinky Foods
Whether your weapon of choice is curry powder, hot sauce or spicy mayo, zesting up your food with a punch of heat can lead to some stinky situations. The biggest reason? Spicy foods often cause us to sweat more, which contributes indirectly to our body odors, as mentioned earlier. In addition, strong-smelling foods like garlic and onion are also notorious for causing bad breath – and they contain compounds, such as sulfur, that can be released from your pores and contribute to body odor, too. Other sulfur-containing foods that might add to that stinky smell include broccoli, Brussel sprouts, cabbage and kale.
Before changing your diet now that you’ve read this, though, be sure to talk to your provider or a nutritionist, who can help recommend foods based on your own dietary needs. (Sorry, but you can’t get out of eating broccoli that easily.)
Reason #3: Sickness
Being sick doesn’t only make you feel bad – it can also make you smell bad. Typhoid, for instance, can cause someone to smell like baked bread while yellow fever often gives off the unusual odor of a butcher’s shop. Though those are generally uncommon conditions in the U.S., international travelers have a greater risk of contracting these diseases. More run-of-the-mill ailments like the flu, a cold or bronchitis can still lead to stink on a smaller scale, specifically bad breath from increased mucus production. You may also notice that you’re a little smelly if you have a fever or chills, which contribute to more sweating.
If you think you may have typhoid or yellow fever, seek immediate medical attention, as both are serious conditions. Of course, any time you feel less than your best health-wise, it’s always a good idea to visit your primary care provider who can help you figure out what’s ailing you and prescribe the best treatment.
Reason #4: Skin Infections
If the source of your smell is coming from your shoes, there’s a chance that athlete’s foot could be the source of your stench. Athlete’s foot is a common fungal infection that makes your skin scaly and red, and causes itchy, burning, stinging and smelly feet. If it’s not properly treated, it can spread to other parts of your body, as well as other people, and even can lead to bacterial infections like cellulitis. Be sure to visit your health care provider if you think that your unexpected foot odor is from athlete’s foot: they can provide a topical medicine to help kill the fungus.
Reason #5: UTIs and STDs
If your urine smells strange – and you didn’t eat asparagus – then an urinary tract infection (UTI) may be to blame. Often times, in addition to a burning sensation and increased need to urinate, fishy-smelling urine accompanies a UTI due to the bacteria found within the urine. Similarly, certain bacterial infections like bacterial vaginosis, also known as vaginitis, and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) like chlamydia and gonorrhea, may cause a fishy smell or change in vaginal odor. If you think a UTI, STD or bacterial infection is behind your smell, visit a trusted healthcare partner like MedExpress, who can prescribe you an antibiotic to kill the bacteria, or suggest another treatment type if needed.
Whether you’re thinking about cutting back on the garlic for good or maybe just need to use a little more deodorant after the gym, being mindful of your body’s smells is an important way to gauge your overall health and stay proactive in treating potential conditions.