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What Causes Severe Night Sweats And Foul Body Odour?

Posted on Tue, 12 Jan 2016

Question: I have noticed in the last year or so that my underarm sweat has been smelling reallt sting like ammonia or cat pee? I shower everyday. I use fragrance free Aveeno and Dove sensative skin body washes and fragrance free clinical strength deodorant. Whether I use the deodorant or not the sweat seems to smells this way. I am not overweight. I weigh 120 lbs, and am a nurse. I have also noticed I have had night sweats where I wake up feeling damp. I have also had problems 3 times with bladder leakage at night while I am asleep but only those 3 times. I wake up to pee probably 2-3 times at night to urinate. I have cut back on caffeine a ton also as it can irritate the bladder. No medical problems other than anxiety.

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Anxiety, excess coffee/caffeine or infectious process in body can give this

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for asking HCM

I have gone through your query. Anxiety can increase armpit's apocrine gland secretion. Other reasons of increased secretion and smell are increased use of coffee or caffeinated drinks , infectious process in body, hyperthyroidism or raised blood sugar.

You can go for a blood routine including ESR to rule out any infective/inflammatory process in body. Blood sugar level and blood pressure should be measured. Thyroid profile test also should be done.
Anxiety should be managed by relaxation exercises like breathing exercise. If not helping then approach a psychologist for counselling.

Avoid or decrease caffeine and coffee , excess spicy and strong smelling foods should be avoided. If still there is strong smell then you can ask your GP for prescription antiperspirants like Drysol. Applying this during night will be helpful. Avoid taking coffee and tea after evening. Take less water during night also. This will decrease the incidence of urinating during night time.

Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Nishad BN (2 hours later)

I have stopped drinking coffee and it has not helped. I take Paxil for anxiety and thyroid levels are fine I had them checked about a year ago as well as blood sugar levels. My boyfriend has always said my breath smells horrible as well even right after I brush my teeth. What is causing the nasty underarm smell and bad breath as well? I brush twice daily and use mouth rinse as well. No cavities. I have urinary urgency so when I get the urge to go I feel as though I barely have time to get to the bathroom. I wake up damp from sweat. There must be something else that's wrong. Please let me know what I should do.

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (14 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Upper respiratory tract infections should be ruled out.

Detailed Answer:
Welcome again.

Thank you for your follow up.

Chronic Upper respiratory tract infections like sinusitis or tonsillitis/pharyngitis can be the reason also. This can give bad breath as well as nigh sweats/increased sweating. It is better to have an examination by ENT specialist to rule out this. If it is that then managing it will helps. Taking vitamin C daily is also good.

Is thing sweating problem started after taking Paxil?

Let me know if anything not clear. I am happy to help you.
Thanks.

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. Vinay Bhardwaj