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What Causes A Change In Body Odor?

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Posted on Tue, 14 Jul 2015
Question: Good afternoon. I have a quick question involving body odor. About 1-2 months ago my body odor suddenly changed from an onion-like smell to smelling like burning plastic.

There were some lifestyle changes over the last few months:

This was around 2 months after starting my new workout regiment (b.o keeps the burnt rubber scent even on days I don't work out), I started eating more protein and less fatty foods, and I would wipe off my armpits with non-toxic lavender scented baby wipes when I was in a hurry (I haven't used one in months, but the smell started shortly after.). Also I've been having a lot less sex. Should I be worried?
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Answered by Dr. Noble Zachariah (41 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Likely to be due to the change in diet

Detailed Answer:
Hello.

Welcome and thanks for your query.
I understand your concern.
Body odor is due to certain chemicals that are excreted in a person's sweat and the action of the bacteria that are normally present on the skin in breaking down these chemicals.
Onion odor is usually due to break down of sulphur containing compounds in the sweat.
The change of odor is due to the increase in your protein consumption . It was only a coincidence that it started after using the lavender wipes. If it was due to the same it would not persist after you discontinued its use.
The odours that point to certain illnesses are urine like smell in renal diseases, fishy odor in liver diseases and fruity odor in diabetes.
So I think you should relax and not be worried about it.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Noble Zachariah

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1974

Answered : 2319 Questions

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What Causes A Change In Body Odor?

Brief Answer: Likely to be due to the change in diet Detailed Answer: Hello. Welcome and thanks for your query. I understand your concern. Body odor is due to certain chemicals that are excreted in a person's sweat and the action of the bacteria that are normally present on the skin in breaking down these chemicals. Onion odor is usually due to break down of sulphur containing compounds in the sweat. The change of odor is due to the increase in your protein consumption . It was only a coincidence that it started after using the lavender wipes. If it was due to the same it would not persist after you discontinued its use. The odours that point to certain illnesses are urine like smell in renal diseases, fishy odor in liver diseases and fruity odor in diabetes. So I think you should relax and not be worried about it.