The bottom line
Smelly armpits occur when bacteria break down the otherwise odorless sweat on your skin. Some people sweat more than others and have a condition called hyperhidrosis. This excess sweating can lead to body odor.
Why does my armpit smell so bad?
How do I stop my armpits from smelling?
The best way to prevent smelly armpits is to wash daily and after sweating. Using antiperspirant or deodorant and shaving the armpits can also help. Avoiding alcohol and certain foods, such as onions and garlic, will also help prevent smelly armpits in some cases.
Why do my armpits smell so bad all of a sudden?
Your environment, the things you eat, medications you take, shifts in hormone levels, or underlying disorders may all be behind a sudden change in body odor. Changes in body odor can be a normal part of development, such as when an adolescent is going through puberty.
Why do my armpits stink even with deodorant?
Research has found that the salts in antiperspirants can cause an imbalance of bacteria. The aluminum compounds kill off the less smelly bacteria, giving the smellier bacteria more opportunity to thrive, causing more body odour.
Why do my armpits still smell after washing?
"When somebody feels like they're still smelly after the shower, typically it's someone who is more prone to sweating, and may have a buildup of bacteria on the skin in conjunction with the sweat," Marisa Garshick, MD, assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell-New York Presbyterian Medical Center, tells …
Why do I smell bad even with good hygiene?
Sweat glands called "apocrine sweat glands" are found in the armpits, under the breast, and in the groin. As sweating occurs in these areas, bacteria that like warm, moist areas, break down the sweat to produce body odor. Excessive sweating or an overgrowth of bacteria in such areas can result in bromhidrosis.
Why do my armpits smell without sweating?
When hygiene is behind smelly armpits As less sweat comes to the surface of your skin, less odor results. Deodorants stop sweat from smelling but don't stop sweat itself. These products are often alcohol-based, turning your skin acidic.
Why do my armpits smell so bad female?
Apocrine glands work primarily under stress, secreting an odorless fluid. This fluid begins to develop an odor when it comes into contact with bacteria on your skin. These glands don't start working until puberty, which is why that's usually the time people start to notice body odor.
How do you detox your armpits?
Mix one tablespoon bentonite clay, one teaspoon apple cider vinegar, and one to two teaspoons of water. Spread onto your armpits and let sit for five to 20 minutes before washing off with warm water. You can repeat this daily until you notice a decrease in underarm odor.