Armpit Odor Disorder

Sweating and armpit odor can be troublesome for many. Perspiration can cause a disagreeable odor when it makes contact with bacteria on your skin. According to the Mayo Clinic, sometimes changes in body odor can be a sign of a health problem such as low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) or an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism). Most of the time, home remedies and lifestyle adjustments can solve problems with armpit odor and sweating.

Hyperhidrosis and UnderarmOdor

• The National Institute of Health (NIH) says hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes extreme and unpredictable sweating. People who suffer from this may sweat while at rest or when the temperature is cool.

  Although sweat doesn't typically have an unpleasant smell, when germs and bacteria on your skin begin to break down from the perspiration, they produce an odor.

  When excessive sweating affects armpits, hands or feet, it's called primary hyperhidrosis. NIH says nearly 3 percent of the U.S. population suffers from the condition and it appears to be hereditary.

Physiological Considerations

• Your body's temperature regulation system (sweat glands) controls armpit (and overall body) odor and perspiration. Your skin has both eccrine and apocrine glands. Eccrine glands occur over most of your body and open directly onto the top layer of the skin. Apocrine glands develop where there is a large supply of hair follicles, such as on your armpits and scalp. The bacterial breakdown of apocrine sweat often causes an odor.

Symptoms

• Sweating and underarm odor is commonly the result of strenuous physical exercise, nervousness and hot temperatures. How much you sweat and the type of odor produced can vary depending on diet, medical conditions, hormone levels and even your mood.

  You should contact your doctor if you begin sweating more than usual, if it's disrupting your daily functioning or if there is a detectable change in your body odor. A change in body odor may be a sign of certain medical conditions, such as kidney failure.

Treatment

• Often armpit odor and sweating can be successfully treated with over-the-counter (OTC) antiperspirant and deodorant. Deodorants are typically alcohol-based and cause your skin to become acidic. This makes your skin unappealing to bacteria.

  Antiperspirants contain aluminium-based compounds that temporarily inhibit the sweat pore. This reduces the amount of perspiration that comes into contact with your skin.

  In stubborn cases, your doctor may recommend prescription-strength antiperspirants such as Drysol, or Xerac.

Lifestyle Changes

• There are several steps you can take to help reduce sweating and armpit odor. Wear cotton, wool and silk clothing. These fabrics allow your skin to breathe.

  Relaxation techniques including mediation and yoga can help you learn to manage the stress that causes perspiration and armpit odor.

  If foods or beverages cause you to sweat excessively or your make your perspiration have an unpleasant smell, you may want to stay away from strongly flavored foods such as garlic and onions. It also may help to eliminate caffeinated drinks from your diet.