Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Persistent Body Odour: Disease Clues and Ways to Reduce It
Everyone has a natural smell, and it can change as they grow up.
Sweat itself may not smell at first, but tiny bacteria on the skin can make it smell.
Washing regularly and changing out of sweaty clothes can help.
Antiperspirants reduce how much sweat reaches the skin, while deodorants mainly cover up smells.
Some foods can also affect how a person smells.
Sometimes a new or unusual smell can be linked to an illness.
But smell by itself cannot tell a doctor what illness someone has.
If the smell changes suddenly or comes with other symptoms, it is a good idea to speak with a doctor.
Body odour often becomes more noticeable after puberty and can be influenced by genes, hormones, diet, skin bacteria and hygiene.
Most everyday body odour develops when skin bacteria break down secretions from apocrine sweat glands.
Some conditions can be associated with distinctive odours, but smell alone cannot diagnose a disease.
Regular washing, antiperspirants, clean clothes, breathable fabrics and dry feet can help reduce odour.
Seek medical advice if odour changes suddenly, persists despite good hygiene or comes with other symptoms.
- Who
- People experiencing persistent or unusual body odour.
- What
- An explainer on common causes of body odour, possible disease-related clues and ways to reduce it.
- When
- Body odour often becomes more noticeable after puberty; the article does not give a publication date.
- Where
- The article discusses odour from the mouth, skin, armpits, groin and feet.
- Why
- Most everyday odour results when skin bacteria break down sweat-gland secretions; some persistent or unusual odours may be associated with disease.
- Main everyday cause
- Bacteria on the skin break down apocrine-gland secretions, releasing compounds responsible for characteristic body odour.
- Apocrine glands
- Concentrated mainly in hairy areas such as the armpits and groin; they become active around puberty.
- Eccrine glands
- Found over most of the body; they produce watery, salty sweat that helps cool the body.
- Possible disease-related odours
- The article associates trimethylaminuria with a fishy smell, poorly controlled diabetes with a fruity or acetone-like breath smell, and severe kidney disease with an ammonia-like odour.
- Odour is not a diagnosis
- Smell alone cannot diagnose a condition; appropriate examination and investigations are needed.
- Practical steps
- Wash regularly, use an appropriate antiperspirant, change sweaty clothes, choose breathable fabrics and keep feet dry.
- When to seek care
- Consult a doctor for sudden or unusually strong persistent odour, especially if accompanied by excessive sweating, fever, weight loss, increased thirst, frequent urination or other symptoms.