Kamil Perry
Body odour is a result of sweat mixing with bacteria on the skin. Eccrine sweat glands are found all over the body and produce sweat that is mostly water and salt, so it doesn't smell. However, when it mixes with bacteria, environmental factors, or metabolic waste, it can develop an unpleasant odour. Apocrine sweat, on the other hand, is thick and protein-rich, and when it mixes with skin bacteria, it produces thioalcohols, which can smell like sulfur, onions, or raw meat. This type of odour is often associated with bromhidrosis, a condition characterised by strong body odour that doesn't go away easily. If you're experiencing cheesy odours, it could be due to bacterial growth in skin folds or certain foods in your diet.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Consuming dairy or greasy food and not washing your face |
| Solution | Drink more water and wash your face |
| Medical Condition | Bromhidrosis, apocrine bromhidrosis, bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, cervical or vaginal cancer, urinary tract infection (UTI), bladder inflammation, uncontrolled type 2 diabetes, metabolic disorders, diabetic ketoacidosis, or gastrointestinal-bladder fistulas |
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What You'll Learn
Skin-dwelling bacteria can cause a cheese-like odour
The presence of specific bacteria on the skin, such as those related to cheese-making bacteria, can contribute to the development of these odours. In fact, an exhibit called "Selfmade" by researcher Christina Agapakis featured cheeses made from human bacteria, including belly button and tongue scrapings, which were noted for their strong odours. This exhibit highlighted the disconnect between our appreciation for cheese and our aversion to human body odours, despite the similar bacterial influences.
Additionally, factors such as diet, hygiene, and individual body chemistry can influence the intensity and character of the cheese-like odour. For instance, consuming dairy products or greasy foods without properly washing the face can result in sebum that smells like cheese. Increasing water intake and maintaining good facial hygiene can help address this issue. However, if the odour persists or is accompanied by other symptoms, it is advisable to consult a doctor to rule out any underlying health issues.
While bromhidrosis can be embarrassing and unpleasant, it is important to recognise that having a diverse community of bacteria on the skin is normal and even beneficial. Certain "good" bacteria can help protect against more dangerous strains. Therefore, instead of solely focusing on deodorizing and sanitizing, maintaining a balanced bacterial ecosystem on the skin is crucial for overall health. This may involve practices such as regular bathing and wearing breathable clothing, and managing stress, as nervousness can also contribute to sweating.
In summary, skin-dwelling bacteria can indeed cause a cheese-like odour, and this condition is known as bromhidrosis. While proper hygiene and lifestyle modifications can help manage the odour, it is also essential to recognise the role of bacteria in maintaining skin health and to seek medical advice if the odour persists or is accompanied by other symptoms.
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Cheese-smelling skin can be caused by diet and hygiene
Body odour, or bromhidrosis, can be influenced by diet and hygiene. Eccrine bromhidrosis is often easier to manage than apocrine bromhidrosis, but if the odour persists despite good hygiene, it may be worth consulting a doctor to rule out underlying health issues. Eccrine sweat glands are found all over the body and produce mostly water and salt-based sweat, which does not naturally have a strong odour. However, when it comes into contact with bacteria, environmental factors, or metabolic waste, it can develop an unpleasant smell. This often occurs when sweat from the eccrine glands softens the keratin on the skin.
Apocrine bromhidrosis, on the other hand, is characterised by lipid-rich sweat mixing with skin bacteria, resulting in a strong, lingering odour. This type of bromhidrosis is generally described as pungent and musky, with a smell similar to aged cheese, onions, garlic, or even rotten eggs. The intensity and character of the odour depend on individual body chemistry and hygiene habits, with some people experiencing a milder scent and others a more overpowering smell.
Diet can also play a role in body odour, with certain foods such as asparagus and supplements influencing the smell of urine. Additionally, a high-fat diet can contribute to body odour by creating skin folds that provide a warm and moist environment for bacteria to thrive in.
Practising good hygiene is crucial in managing body odour. This includes regular showering and washing of the face, especially after consuming dairy or greasy foods, as these can contribute to the cheese-like smell of sebum. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water can also help reduce body odour.
While body odour is typically harmless, persistent or unusual odours that do not resolve with improved hygiene and dietary modifications may indicate an underlying medical condition. In such cases, it is advisable to consult a healthcare professional for further evaluation.
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Body odour can indicate underlying health issues
Body odour is often a source of embarrassment and discomfort, but it can also be a helpful indicator of underlying health issues. While sweat itself is odourless, when it mixes with bacteria on the skin, it can result in an unpleasant smell. This is known as bromhidrosis, and it can manifest in various parts of the body, including the armpits, feet, groin, and scalp.
The smell of bromhidrosis can vary depending on factors such as diet, hygiene, and the type of bacteria present. One of the distinctive smells associated with bromhidrosis is that of cheese or sour milk. This cheesy odour is caused by the breakdown of sweat proteins by bacteria, resulting in a strong, lingering stench. If left untreated, it can negatively impact an individual's social life and self-esteem.
In some cases, a cheesy body odour can be a sign of apocrine bromhidrosis, a type of bromhidrosis that occurs when lipid-rich sweat mixes with skin bacteria. This combination produces thioalcohols, which are compounds that smell like sulfur, onions, or raw meat. Apocrine bromhidrosis commonly affects the armpits and groin area, where apocrine glands produce sweat that mixes with bacteria, dead skin, and moisture, resulting in a strong musky odour.
However, it is important to note that body odour can also be influenced by dietary choices. Consuming dairy products or greasy foods without properly washing your face can result in a cheesy odour. This is due to the presence of sebum, an oily substance produced by the skin, which can retain the smell of dairy products. Increasing water intake and maintaining a proper skincare routine can help alleviate this issue.
While body odour is often a harmless side effect of sweat and bacteria, it can sometimes indicate a more serious underlying condition. For instance, a persistent foul odour in the groin area could be a sign of urinary tract infection, bladder inflammation, or uncontrolled type 2 diabetes. Similarly, a persistent fishy or foul vaginal odour could signal bacterial vaginosis, trichomoniasis, or, in rare cases, cervical or vaginal cancer.
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Eccrine bromhidrosis can cause a musty, stale smell
Bromhidrosis, or body odour, is an unpleasant odour that can be caused by poor hygiene, infections, diet, medication, or inherited metabolic disorders. It is triggered by the action of bacteria on the skin. Eccrine bromhidrosis is a form of bromhidrosis that presents as a generalised malodour, and may be associated with bad breath (halitosis), anogenital odour, and smelly urine.
Eccrine sweat glands are found all over the body and produce an odourless and colourless sweat. However, when bacteria on the skin break down this sweat, it can result in a bad smell. This breakdown can also be influenced by certain foods, alcohol consumption, or medications. Eccrine bromhidrosis can thus cause a musty, stale smell, particularly if left untreated.
The diagnosis of eccrine bromhidrosis is often based on the patient's scent and a review of their medical history to identify possible underlying causes. It is considered a rare condition, but this may be due to underreporting. Treatment options for bromhidrosis include preventive measures such as frequent washing with soap and water, antiseptic soaps, and antibacterial creams. In more severe cases, procedures like botulinum toxin A (Botox) injections or sweat gland removal may be recommended.
It is important to note that body odour is a normal occurrence, and the perception of odours can vary across different cultures. While bromhidrosis can cause a musty, stale smell, it is treatable, and addressing the condition can significantly improve an individual's quality of life.
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Apocrine bromhidrosis can cause a strong, lingering odour
Body odour is typically produced by the breakdown of sweat, sebum, and keratin by bacteria on the skin surface. While sweat itself doesn't have a smell, it can develop an odour when it mixes with bacteria on the skin.
Apocrine bromhidrosis is the most common form of bromhidrosis in adults, and is usually localised to the armpits and/or anogenital area. It is caused by the bacterial degradation of foul-smelling lipids and proteins found in apocrine and eccrine secretions. This can result in a strong, lingering body odour.
Apocrine sweat is controlled by the sympathetic nervous system and is influenced by hormonal changes, such as increased hormone levels during puberty, pregnancy, or menopause. The apocrine glands become active during puberty, which is why body odour often becomes an issue during adolescence. Additionally, individuals with larger and more numerous apocrine glands may be at a higher risk of developing apocrine bromhidrosis.
The condition can also be influenced by dietary factors, such as the ingestion of odor-promoting compounds like garlic, onions, curry, and alcohol. Certain medications, such as penicillin, and underlying medical conditions, such as liver or renal failure, can also contribute to the development of apocrine bromhidrosis.
Treatment options for apocrine bromhidrosis include pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches. Pharmacological treatments include botulinum toxin injection and antibacterial topical agents. Non-pharmacological approaches focus on reducing bacterial colonisation, perspiration, and odour through the use of antibacterial soaps, antiperspirants, and deodorants. In more severe cases, removal of the offending sweat glands may be considered.
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Frequently asked questions
Bromhidrosis is a condition that causes body odour due to the breakdown of sweat proteins by bacteria. The smell can be pungent and musky, cheesy or sour, onion-like or garlicky, fecal or sulfuric, sweaty and ammonia-like. The intensity of the odour depends on individual body chemistry and hygiene habits.
Maintaining good hygiene is essential to reducing the cheesy smell associated with bromhidrosis. This includes washing your skin regularly, especially after consuming dairy or greasy foods. Drinking plenty of water can also help reduce odour. If the smell persists despite these measures, it may be advisable to consult a doctor to rule out any underlying health issues.
Bromhidrosis can be influenced by various factors, including diet, hygiene, and the type of bacteria present on the skin. It is also believed to have a genetic component, as studies have shown a strong correlation between the ABCC11 gene and bromhidrosis. Additionally, individuals with excess body fat are more susceptible to bromhidrosis due to the creation of skin folds that provide an ideal environment for sweat and bacteria to mix.
