Something fishy is going on in my armpits

The African elephant has the strongest sense of smell in the animal kingdom. It possesses 2,000 special genes that help them identify odours as far as 20 kilometres away. Luckily for this pachyderm, it gets to roam the wide savanna instead of navigating open sewers, walking past garbage dumps or  being stuck in a lift with 20 sweaty humans on a humid day.

And let us warn you, Colonel Hathi’s Kenyan cousins are a discerning lot. They can distinguish between members of the Maasai and Kamba tribes based purely on their body odour. So they can definitely tell if you’ve skipped a shower because you woke up late and just used a wet tissue to dab your underarms. But what if you’ve bathed, powdered and sprayed enough deodorant to singlehandedly destroy the ozone layer, yet your armpits refuse to cooperate?

Blame it on puberty. According to Dr Rinky Kapoor, cosmetic dermatologist and dermato-surgeon, The Esthetic Clinics, sebaceous glands present in the face, scalp, underarms and groin become active due to hormonal changes. Their secretions are odourless by themselves, but when they breach the surface of the skin, they come in contact with bacteria which breaks down these compounds, emitting an aroma that can make your toes curl, and not in a fun way.

Another reason for unpleasant body odour is a vicious cocktail of sweat and bacteria. Sweat is largely produced by two glands- eccrine and apocrine. While the former covers most of the body and acts as our personal air conditioner by cooling us down and maintaining body temperature, the latter is present where there are a large number of hair follicles, your armpits, scalp and the genital area.

Like the secretions from the sebaceous glands, sweat too is odourless. That is, until it interacts with the bacteria on our skin.

But just because someone smells like they fell into a pile of muck, doesn’t mean they need to hit the shower. Sometimes, there is an underlying issue that is suddenly causing your pits to double down on the mind-numbing scent.

What causes sudden changes in body odour?

Diet confusion

Kapoor says, “Foods that can cause changes in body odour are usually spicy like chillies. Foods like onion and garlic, rich in phenolic compounds, can also cause alterations in body odour. Even strong tea or strong coffee has a similar effect.”

Cruciferous vegetables, despite their nutritional value, contain large amount of sulphur, which our bodies can’t completely break down. The compounds then evaporate off our skin, leaving behind an odour.

At least now you have an excuse to give your mother when she is forcing you to eat the dreaded aloo gobi ki sabzi.

Stress sweat

Whether you’re stressed about that call with your boss or the pimple that has taken hold of your cheek before a big date or are simply a compulsive overthinker like me, remember that when your stress levels are skyrocketing, your body’s sweat engines go into overdrive.

A 2016 study showed that people who developed a hyperhidrosis disorder (uncontrollable sweating) suffered from high levels of stress.

When the apocrine glands are triggered, they secrete excess sweat that emits a foul odour when mixed with the bacteria on your skin. Your surging stress levels are like a pool party with free cocktails for those bacteria.

Medical conditions affecting body odour

Although it’s quite rare, excessive sweating leading to body odour could also be indicative of an underlying medical condition. For instance, Kapoor talks of a condition called bromhidrosis. “The body odour is so bad that someone can’t stand next to you,” she says.

Another medical condition that is often linked to strong body odour is a rare genetic disorder called trimethylaminuria. This leaves the body unable to break down compounds found in fish, soy and cruciferous vegetables leading to a foul smell emitting from the body.

Medical conditions like kidney failure, liver disease, and diabetes can also change the composition of sweat and alter the smell.

Of course, to avoid smelling like a three-day-old banana peel, we must also pay close attention to personal hygiene. That much is a no-brainer. But what are the problem areas?

Decoding smelly underarms

In 2015, a group of researchers conducted a study that showed that body odour was caused by a bacteria called Staphylococcus Hominis. These bacteria are part of the microbiome of the underarm and are effective at breaking down sweat molecules into compounds known as thioalcohols and releasing unpleasant aromas.

The underarms provide a warm, moist, and dark environment that proves to be an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. When we sweat, it’s like a free-for-all breakfast buffet for these bacteria who in turn, thank us with the fishy odour.

Kapoor explains that the armpits smell because the sebaceous apocrine gland concentration is very high here.

Prevention: While it’s typically not a cause for concern, foul-smelling body odour is not ideal in certain social scenarios nor is it hygienic. A study from 2016 showed that shaving or waxing the armpits significantly reduced armpit odour. No hair means cleansing is more effective. Your parlour didi was right all along.

Avoiding spicy food, using an antiperspirant and trying stress-reducing exercises like meditation might also do the trick.

Bad breath says a lot

I don’t like raw onions. It’s a controversial opinion, I know. Not only do they make me cry harder than I did watching Taare Zameen Par but they also leave an odd aftertaste and a very pungent smell on my breath. It feels icky and uncomfortable. But onions aren’t the only factor for bad breath.

Bad breath or halitosis is caused by the mouth, teeth, or even an underlying health problem. It can be temporary (solved by a pack of trusty chewing gum) or a chronic condition.

According to the Indian Dental Association, bad breath is caused by “the decay of food particles that are not removed from the mouth by brushing and flossing. Oral bacteria use these particles as food and they produce waste that in many instances are compounds of sulphur. This is what produces the foul odour.”

In some cases, stomach or digestive problems, smoking, dental care products, having a dry mouth or other medical conditions like sinus, diabetes, kidney or lung disease can also lead to foul-smelling breath.

Prevention: Brushing and using mouthwash twice a day not only helps in maintaining dental hygiene but also keeps bad breath away. Drinking plenty of water and avoiding cigarettes can also help to keep your breath minty fresh. Also, don’t be like Jake Peralta, go to the dentist every few months for a cleanup.

Smells like feet

Bromodosis, or smelly feet, is a very common condition. Kapoor explains that since there are no apocrine glands in the feet, the foul smell is due to a sweat build up.

She says, “The concentration of sweat glands is very high on the feet and when they interact with the bacteria present on the feet, they smell.” Kapoor added, “Typically, if you wear socks the evaporation of sweat is not there and it creates a warm and humid environment. Sweat stays on the feet and in the socks which is why it smells.”

Being negligent about this sweat and bacterial build-up on your feet can lead to more severe problems like athlete’s foot.

Prevention: Luckily, getting your feet to smell like a rose garden after stuffing them in socks all day is easy, quick and inexpensive

Kapoor says, “To prevent body odour, you have to see to it that you are not in socks all day. Wear open shoes or use antibacterial and antifungal powders. You can also use an aluminium hydrochloride solution which is available in pharmacies.”

Soaking your feet in lukewarm water and using a mild soap to scrub once a day, followed by a relaxing pedicure once every few weeks will also help get rid of the wet doge smell.

Vaginal odours

Even if you’re taking perfect care of your body, unusual vaginal odours are bound to occur from time to time. The good news is that apart from all the other amazing things it can do, your vagina is its own cleaning device. It can naturally maintain the pH levels and keep harmful bacteria at bay.

Dr Surabhi Siddhartha, consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist, Motherhood hospital, Kharghar, says, “In the vaginal area, there are many sweat glands which get blocked due to sweat or any dust, leading to the growth of some bacteria which gives rise to a bad smell. These smells can also be signs of yeast or fungal infection.”

It’s fairly simple to get rid of vaginal odours. Practice good hygiene, change sanitary products frequently while menstruating and use intimate washes. Siddartha adds, “You can just wash with plain water, drink plenty of water, eat less sugar to prevent any infection from flaring up.”

Prevention: The vagina is one of the most sensitive areas in your body. To keep it healthy and happy, switch to a balanced diet with probiotic-rich foods like yoghurt. Avoid using scrubs, douches or deodorants, and wash the area before and immediately after intercourse. Stick to comfy cotton underwear.

If the foul body odour persists or is accompanied by another symptom like itchiness, consult your gynaecologist at once.