Armpits smell when your sweat comes into contact with the bacteria on your skin. Certain practices may help reduce body odor.
Smelly armpits may make you self-conscious, even though most people have dealt with them before. Commonly known as body odor (BO) and technically as bromhidrosis, malodorous armpits aren’t usually a cause for concern.
You can take steps to help manage and prevent armpit odor, which may ease some of your anxiety.
What causes smelly armpits?
Your body is covered with sweat glands because sweating is an essential function that helps us cool down.
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There are two main kindsTrusted Source of sweat glands:
- Eccrine glands: These cover much of your body and open directly on the skin’s surface.
- Apocrine glands: These develop in areas with many hair follicles, like the groin and armpit. Instead of opening up to the surface of the skin, apocrine glands empty into the hair follicle and then open up to the surface.
The apocrine glands are typically associated with smelly armpits and malodorous sweat.
When your body heats up, eccrine glands release water to help cool it down. This is usually odorless.
Apocrine glands, which develop during pubertyTrusted Source, also secrete an odorless fluid. But when it comes into contact with bacteria on the skin, it can develop an odorTrusted Source commonly associated with smelly armpits. This is why puberty is the time most people start to notice smelly armpits.
Research also suggests that consuming certain foods or having specific nutrient deficiencies may impact the composition of your sweat, which can affect its smell.
Sweating is a natural bodily function, but some people sweat more than usual. This is called hyperhidrosis. People with hyperhidrosis sweat excessively, especially where there are many eccrine glandsTrusted Source, like in the hands, feet, and armpits.
How to treat smelly armpits
There are currently no official guidelines on how best to manage body odor, such as smelly armpits. Management may depend on the underlying cause and severity of the body odor.
When hygiene is causing smelly armpits
Maintaining proper hygiene and regularly cleaning your skin may help manage bacteria that could be contributing to smelly armpits. A good place to start is taking a daily shower with an antibacterial, antimicrobial, or fungicide soap.
You may also wish to consider using an over-the-counter (OTC) antiperspirant or deodorant after bathing to help remedy armpit odor. Sometimes, you need to try different kinds to see which one works best for you.
Antiperspirants help to reduce the amount of sweat produced by temporarily blocking the pores that release sweat. As less sweat comes to the surface of your skin, less odor results.
Deodorants stop sweat from smelling but don’t stop sweat itself. These products are often alcohol-based, turning your skin acidic. This prevents the odor-triggering bacteria from forming.
When hyperhidrosis is causing armpit body odor
If OTC deodorants aren’t effective, consider speaking with a healthcare professional. They may recommend several different prescription treatments:
- Botox injections: A Botox injection into the sweat glands may help decrease both armpit sweating and odor. This is a common treatmentTrusted Source for people with hyperhidrosis.
- Laser treatment: This may help destroy hair follicles and apocrine sweat glands in the armpits, which could reduce sweating and odors. Radiofrequency, electroacupuncture, and microwave therapy may also help.
- Surgery: In severe cases, a doctor may recommend different types of surgery to more permanently treat bromhidrosis, including local skin excision, radical excision, and liposuction, among others.
A healthcare professional can help you decide which treatment may be best for you and offer guidance on the possible side effects, risks, and costs of each treatment.
How to prevent smelly armpits
The following measures may help you prevent underarm odor from developing in the first place.
- Take daily showers with soap: Regularly showering after strenuous activities like working out or playing sports gets rid of the bacteria and sweat that cause odors.
- Wear loose-fitting, breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, and moisture-wicking blends: This is especially important if you sweat a lot. These will allow your body to stay cooler better than constricting clothes made from non-breathable fabrics.
- Remove hair: A 2015 studyTrusted Source found that shaving or waxing the armpits significantly reduced armpit odor. This is because cleaning is more effective on shaved or waxed skin.
- Relieving stress: Stress may cause sweat glands to produce sweat, so managing stress and anxiety might help you modulate your stress reaction and minimize your physiological sweat response.
When to connect with a doctor
If you’ve used multiple kinds of deodorants or antiperspirants and nothing helps to reduce your underarm odor, speak with a doctor.
They can rule out underlying medical conditions and recommend stronger treatments.
Frequently asked questions
Why are my armpits more smelly than usual?
Your armpits may smell more than usual if you haven’t washed your body recently and you’re sweating more than usual. The bacteria on your skin may be causing malodorous sweat.
How do I stop my armpits from smelling?
To help manage smelly armpits, consider washing them daily with an antimicrobial soap, applying deodorant or antiperspirant, and wearing breathable, loose-fitting clothing.
The bottom line
Smelly armpits occur when bacteria break down the otherwise odorless sweat on your skin.
Some people sweat more than others and have a condition called hyperhidrosis. This excess sweating can lead to body odor. While it might cause people to be self-conscious, there are many solutions that can help.
Antiperspirants or deodorizing sprays can help you manage body odor in the armpits. If these don’t work, a doctor might recommend Botox injections, laser therapy, or even surgery.
Good hygiene, loose-fitting clothes, reducing stress, and possibly shaving or waxing the area might help prevent or reduce body odor.
