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What Causes Strange Body Odour Emission From Axilla?
Question: Hello I'm concerned about my body odor. I've been having a burning type of smell. It's not a phantom smell because my co-workers smell it when I'm around. They describe it as a cigar smell or like something is burning. I've smelled it on my clothes but only my back part of my shirt. I have very good hygiene, I bathe twice a day and been changing my bed linen often thinking I'm not being clean enough. I have intimate wash, tried antibacterial body wash, but nothing seems to help. I have intimate cleansing cloths and use them every time I go to the ladies room. I'm a nurse and I don't feel comfortable asking the physicians I work with about my problem. Ive never heard of this before but since it's happening to me I see that some people may have the similar problem. I've been to an ENT regarding my lymph nodes but everything is normal. I need help on why would I have this type of smell and perform good hygiene.
Brief Answer:
Measure that you may try for reducing body odor
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I am dr.kakkar(dermatologist).
I have gone through your query and i have noted your concern.
Body odor is commonly due to bacterial action on human sweat.
Axilla is a very common site for foul body odor in many people due to bacterial action on retained sweat and triming of axillary hair can help a lot by reducing sweat retention and consequent bacterial action.
Obviously it does not seem to be a hygiene issue in your case.
You can try a few measures e.g
An antiseptic body wash e.g chlorhexidine soap for bath Or 0.5 cup household bleach (6% sodium hypochlorite) in a standard bath tub would help in reducing bacterial action on sweat by reducing flora
Or else
You may try an antiperspirant lotion/solution e.g drysol (contains aluminium chloride hexahydrate 20%) over affected areas to see if that helps.
Regards
Hope this helps
Measure that you may try for reducing body odor
Detailed Answer:
Hello. Thank you for writing to us
I am dr.kakkar(dermatologist).
I have gone through your query and i have noted your concern.
Body odor is commonly due to bacterial action on human sweat.
Axilla is a very common site for foul body odor in many people due to bacterial action on retained sweat and triming of axillary hair can help a lot by reducing sweat retention and consequent bacterial action.
Obviously it does not seem to be a hygiene issue in your case.
You can try a few measures e.g
An antiseptic body wash e.g chlorhexidine soap for bath Or 0.5 cup household bleach (6% sodium hypochlorite) in a standard bath tub would help in reducing bacterial action on sweat by reducing flora
Or else
You may try an antiperspirant lotion/solution e.g drysol (contains aluminium chloride hexahydrate 20%) over affected areas to see if that helps.
Regards
Hope this helps
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Is this something that needs to be prescribed by a dermatologist?
Brief Answer:
Measure that you may try for reducing body odo
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
I think you can find these OTC. You need to ask from a drug store near you.
Regards
Measure that you may try for reducing body odo
Detailed Answer:
Hi.
I think you can find these OTC. You need to ask from a drug store near you.
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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