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What Causes Strange Underarm Odor?
Question: Hello
I'm 23, and the otherday my armpit BO smelled strongly of buttered popcorn. I haven't eaten buttered anything in awhile.
What could cause the smell? It wasn't normal for me. My diet hasn't changed.
I'm 23, and the otherday my armpit BO smelled strongly of buttered popcorn. I haven't eaten buttered anything in awhile.
What could cause the smell? It wasn't normal for me. My diet hasn't changed.
Brief Answer:
could be excess sweating at the underarms.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to health care magic,
I understand your concern for strong unpleasant underarm odour like you said buffered popcorn.
The cause could be either excess sweating at the underarms as sweating itself doesn't have smell but it provides a favorable medium for bacteria (present on skin specially on armpits) which releases some aromatic fatty acids which causes unpleasant smell and especially when you do not changed your diet.
But I would like to know some more information,
Since when you have this kind of armpit smell which is unpleasant probably.
Do you routinely use deodorant?
Have you changed your bathing soap recently?
Kindly get back to me with this information.
Regards,
could be excess sweating at the underarms.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to health care magic,
I understand your concern for strong unpleasant underarm odour like you said buffered popcorn.
The cause could be either excess sweating at the underarms as sweating itself doesn't have smell but it provides a favorable medium for bacteria (present on skin specially on armpits) which releases some aromatic fatty acids which causes unpleasant smell and especially when you do not changed your diet.
But I would like to know some more information,
Since when you have this kind of armpit smell which is unpleasant probably.
Do you routinely use deodorant?
Have you changed your bathing soap recently?
Kindly get back to me with this information.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Yes, I routinely use deoderant, and there have been no changes in soap.
I noticed this after I did not shower for two days or so. However, this is not an uncommon occurrence. The smell was new though, and very different from my normal odor.
This occurred after I had spent two days studying hard, and had probably taken more than the prescribed dose of Adderall(when I feel the effects wear off I would take more). I also had not slept much over that time period.
The smell was present for about 3 days(even after showering, this was the smell) about a week ago. Since then, however, I have not smelled it.
I noticed this after I did not shower for two days or so. However, this is not an uncommon occurrence. The smell was new though, and very different from my normal odor.
This occurred after I had spent two days studying hard, and had probably taken more than the prescribed dose of Adderall(when I feel the effects wear off I would take more). I also had not slept much over that time period.
The smell was present for about 3 days(even after showering, this was the smell) about a week ago. Since then, however, I have not smelled it.
Brief Answer:
Could be related to bacterial or fungal growth.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the reply.
I have read your follow-up query.
As I said earlier,this bad smell could be related to bacterial growth which releases some aromatic fatty acids causing unpleasant smell.It could have occurred due to lack of shower for couple of days as you told.
However,having a single look at the armpit skin would certainly helpful for a doctor to rule out any fungal growth or eczema or dermatitis.
In most of cases,these kind of smells are temporary and can be treated easily with proper care.So,no need to be worried about it much.
If you still have that smell,then here are some tips which will be helpful to stop unpleasant odours and to prevent it in future.
1) If you have eczema or dermatitis or allergy on your armpit skin,then first take proper antibiotics or anti fungal as per the dermatologist opinion.
2) Always take balanced diet and drink plenty of water daily.
3) Avoid tight fitting clothes rather wear loose clothes.
4) Wear cotton material clothes and avoid synthetic silk.
5) Bath with antibacterial soap like dettol,savlon.
6) Always clean your armpits,twice or thrice with brush during bathing.If possible,never skip your bath.
7) Use antiperspirants and deodorants together like aluminium chlorhydrate or zirconium,one will block perspiration and other will mask the smell.
8) Use antibacterial creams or hand sanitizers on your armpits.
10) Curtailing excess tea or coffee will also be helpful.
Hope this will help you.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
Could be related to bacterial or fungal growth.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the reply.
I have read your follow-up query.
As I said earlier,this bad smell could be related to bacterial growth which releases some aromatic fatty acids causing unpleasant smell.It could have occurred due to lack of shower for couple of days as you told.
However,having a single look at the armpit skin would certainly helpful for a doctor to rule out any fungal growth or eczema or dermatitis.
In most of cases,these kind of smells are temporary and can be treated easily with proper care.So,no need to be worried about it much.
If you still have that smell,then here are some tips which will be helpful to stop unpleasant odours and to prevent it in future.
1) If you have eczema or dermatitis or allergy on your armpit skin,then first take proper antibiotics or anti fungal as per the dermatologist opinion.
2) Always take balanced diet and drink plenty of water daily.
3) Avoid tight fitting clothes rather wear loose clothes.
4) Wear cotton material clothes and avoid synthetic silk.
5) Bath with antibacterial soap like dettol,savlon.
6) Always clean your armpits,twice or thrice with brush during bathing.If possible,never skip your bath.
7) Use antiperspirants and deodorants together like aluminium chlorhydrate or zirconium,one will block perspiration and other will mask the smell.
8) Use antibacterial creams or hand sanitizers on your armpits.
10) Curtailing excess tea or coffee will also be helpful.
Hope this will help you.
Regards,
Dr.Sandip Kabra
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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