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Suggest Treatment For Bad Body Odor And Acne
Question: 1. About 10 years ago, I noticed a foul odor coming from my armpits a few hours after using my usual scented deodorant. I switched to unscented deodorant, and it didn't seem to help. I then stopped wearing deodorant, and the odor was not as severe but it was still there. I went to see a dermatologist a couple of years ago and they prescribed benzoyl peroxide 5-10%. I cant use it every day, because it burns my arm pits. I can no longer ever wear deodorant because the odd odor appears in a couple of hours. If I go more then two days without the benzoyl peroxide, the odor returns. I am wondering what the cause of this could be and why did it appear suddenly? Is there a way to treat the root cause and try to get back to normal?
2. I developed what appeared to be acne on the back of my neck and chest/upper abdomen a few months ago. I went to the Derm because it wouldn't go away. She prescribed monocycline BID and I took it for 5 weeks with minimal improvement. She said I had to take it indefinitely and I stopped because I wasn't comfortable with that. She diagnosed me with cellulitis. It is slowly going away on its own with benzoyl peroxide. Do you have any thoughts? Thank you!
2. I developed what appeared to be acne on the back of my neck and chest/upper abdomen a few months ago. I went to the Derm because it wouldn't go away. She prescribed monocycline BID and I took it for 5 weeks with minimal improvement. She said I had to take it indefinitely and I stopped because I wasn't comfortable with that. She diagnosed me with cellulitis. It is slowly going away on its own with benzoyl peroxide. Do you have any thoughts? Thank you!
Brief Answer:
Aluminium chloride hexahydrate lot; benzoyl peroxide+ketoconazole body wash
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query and I hope to help you as much as I can.
Body Odor is due to bacterial action on human sweat.
Apart from continuing to maintain good hygiene practices like bathing twice daily, measures to reduce axillary sweating would help counter body odor too.
If I was the treating doctor I would suggest you to use aluminium chloride hexahydrate 20% lotion, once daily at night.
It is available on prescription of a dermatologist.
The mechanism of action is that it blocks the sweat duct and thus reduces sweat output.
It is also antibacterial and therefore has a dual mode of action in bad odor due to sweat.
Sites that produce the most sweat e.g axilla are the main targets of this product.
If this lotion fails to provide desired results, local injections of botulinum toxin can be tried.
Botulinum toxin inhibits the local nerve pathway that causes sweat secretion and thus would prove beneficial.
Regarding your second query...
I suggest a possibility of either Acne Or Pityrosporum folliculitis (a yeast infection).
Pityrosporum folliculitis is a common differential diagnosis of acne. Unlike acne Pityrosporum folliculitis is usually itchy.
Pityrosporum folliculitis commonly affects areas rich in sebaceous glands i.e torso and chest.
Antibiotics don't really do anything for pityrosporum folliculitis.
I suggest you to continue with benzoyl peroxide twice daily.
In addition you may use a antifungal lotion/ ketoconazole lotion as a body wash e.g Nizoral is an OTC brand of 1% ketoconazole.
It can be used daily at the time of bath. Lather it well on the affected areas and allow it to act for 5-10 minutes before rinsing it off.
Regards
Aluminium chloride hexahydrate lot; benzoyl peroxide+ketoconazole body wash
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us.
I have gone through your query and I hope to help you as much as I can.
Body Odor is due to bacterial action on human sweat.
Apart from continuing to maintain good hygiene practices like bathing twice daily, measures to reduce axillary sweating would help counter body odor too.
If I was the treating doctor I would suggest you to use aluminium chloride hexahydrate 20% lotion, once daily at night.
It is available on prescription of a dermatologist.
The mechanism of action is that it blocks the sweat duct and thus reduces sweat output.
It is also antibacterial and therefore has a dual mode of action in bad odor due to sweat.
Sites that produce the most sweat e.g axilla are the main targets of this product.
If this lotion fails to provide desired results, local injections of botulinum toxin can be tried.
Botulinum toxin inhibits the local nerve pathway that causes sweat secretion and thus would prove beneficial.
Regarding your second query...
I suggest a possibility of either Acne Or Pityrosporum folliculitis (a yeast infection).
Pityrosporum folliculitis is a common differential diagnosis of acne. Unlike acne Pityrosporum folliculitis is usually itchy.
Pityrosporum folliculitis commonly affects areas rich in sebaceous glands i.e torso and chest.
Antibiotics don't really do anything for pityrosporum folliculitis.
I suggest you to continue with benzoyl peroxide twice daily.
In addition you may use a antifungal lotion/ ketoconazole lotion as a body wash e.g Nizoral is an OTC brand of 1% ketoconazole.
It can be used daily at the time of bath. Lather it well on the affected areas and allow it to act for 5-10 minutes before rinsing it off.
Regards
Note: Hope the answers resolves your concerns, however for further guidance of skin related queries consult our Dermatologist.Click here to book a consultation
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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