What Medical Conditions Cause Body Odor?

Body odor is the unpleasant smell of bacteria growing on the skin. Although the bacteria thrive in perspiration, sweat itself is a nearly odorless and natural secretion. Body odor is often connected to armpits, feet and genitalia, but can occur anywhere there are bacteria present. Most of the time establishing better personal hygiene will eliminate body odor, but occasionally the cause is medical, and additional action is necessary to find a solution.

Hormonal Imbalance

• Abnormal hormone imbalances, similar to those experienced during puberty, can cause bad body odor.

Serious Diseases

• Acute liver and kidney diseases often cause body odor, due to the body's inability to filter away toxins.

Metabolic Disorders

• Occasionally, certain metabolic disorders cause the breakdown of organic compounds which are then released through the skin, resulting in body odor.

Skin Conditions

• Skin cancer, hemorrhoids and similar conditions can cause bad smelling discharges on the body's surface.

Perspiration Disorders

• Hyperhidrosis causes excessive perspiration, and bromhidrosis is a medical condition which makes sweat smell badly; both of these conditions can cause body odor.

Enzyme Deficiencies

• About 7 percent of the population is born with enzyme deficiencies that cause a strong, fishy-smelling body odor.