Andy Montoya
There are many reasons why someone might smell like stinky cheese. Body odour can be influenced by diet, with dairy products and foods high in sulfur, such as garlic and onions, contributing to a cheese-like smell. Stress and anxiety can also play a role, as they cause the body to produce a different type of sweat that is thicker and contains more proteins, which bacteria feed on. Certain medical conditions, such as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and trimethylaminuria, can also lead to persistent body odour. Additionally, poor hygiene practices, such as not showering enough or not changing clothes frequently, can cause sweat to linger and mix with bacteria, resulting in a cheesy odour. In some cases, a fishy or foul stench that won't go away could be a sign of infection or another condition. Consulting a doctor is recommended if body odour is a concern, as it may be indicative of an underlying health issue.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Body part | Armpits, feet, vagina, penis, breath |
| Cause | Bacteria breaking down sweat, diet, hormonal changes, medical conditions, stress, anxiety, genetics, hygiene, medication, supplements, age |
| Treatment | Showering daily, using antibacterial soap, changing clothes and socks frequently, wearing breathable fabrics, using antiperspirant or deodorant, practising relaxation techniques, exercising regularly, consulting a doctor |
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What You'll Learn
- Diet: eating dairy, garlic, onions and cruciferous vegetables may cause cheesy body odour
- Medical conditions: hyperhidrosis, trimethylaminuria, yeast infections, and bacterial vaginosis can cause body odour
- Stress and anxiety: these can cause a different type of sweat, which leads to stronger body odour
- Genetics: some people are genetically predisposed to stronger body odour due to their apocrine glands and skin bacteria
- Hygiene: not showering enough, or wearing the same clothes/shoes for too long can cause sweat to linger and mix with bacteria
Diet: eating dairy, garlic, onions and cruciferous vegetables may cause cheesy body odour
Body odour can be an embarrassing problem, and it can be caused by a number of factors, including diet. While sweat itself is odourless, when it comes into contact with bacteria on the skin, it can produce a strong, unpleasant smell. This process can be influenced by the foods we eat, and certain dietary choices can result in body odour that smells like cheese.
Eating large amounts of dairy products, such as cheese and milk, can affect the scent of your sweat. Dairy contains a lot of fat, and when the body metabolises these fats, it can produce a strong odour. In addition, dairy products contain amino acids that can be broken down by bacteria, resulting in a cheesy body odour. Therefore, reducing your intake of dairy products may help to minimise this type of body odour.
Another dietary factor that can contribute to cheesy body odour is the consumption of foods high in sulphur. Garlic, onions, and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and cabbage fall into this category. When these foods are digested, sulphur compounds are released and can find their way into your sweat. The breakdown of these compounds can result in a cheese-like smell. While these foods are generally healthy, cutting back on them may help to reduce the intensity of body odour.
It is important to note that body odour is influenced by a combination of factors, including genetics, stress, and personal hygiene habits. Some people may be more prone to stronger body odour due to their genetic predisposition, which determines the type of bacteria on their skin and the amount of sweat produced. Additionally, stress can affect the type of sweat produced, making it thicker and richer in proteins, which can lead to stronger body odour. Maintaining good personal hygiene practices, such as showering regularly, wearing breathable clothing, and using deodorant, can also help minimise body odour.
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Medical conditions: hyperhidrosis, trimethylaminuria, yeast infections, and bacterial vaginosis can cause body odour
Body odour is caused by a mix of bacteria and sweat on the skin. While sweat itself doesn't have a smell, when it comes into contact with the bacteria on the skin, it can produce a strong odour. The type of bacteria on one's skin and how it interacts with sweat determines the body odour.
Hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition that causes excessive sweating. People with this condition may be more susceptible to body odour because they sweat a lot. The condition can cause sweaty palms and feet, which can be uncomfortable.
Trimethylaminuria
Trimethylaminuria (TMAU), also known as "fish odour syndrome", is an uncommon condition that causes an unpleasant, persistent fishy or cheesy smell. The body is unable to turn a strong-smelling chemical called trimethylamine, produced in the gut when bacteria break down certain foods, into a different, odourless chemical. This leads to a build-up of trimethylamine in bodily fluids, including sweat. It can be caused by a faulty gene inherited from one's parents.
Yeast infections
Yeast infections are caused by an overgrowth of yeast called Candida in the vagina. While odour is not typically a symptom of yeast infections, a change in odour or a strong odour from the genital area could indicate a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a different kind of vaginal infection, such as bacterial vaginosis or trichomoniasis. Yeast infections are relatively easy to treat and usually go away within a few days to a week.
Bacterial vaginosis
Bacterial vaginosis (BV) is an infection caused by an imbalance in the vaginal flora. It is characterised by high levels of Gardnerella bacteria, which cause a fishy smell. It can also lead to abnormal vaginal discharge. Antibiotics are typically prescribed to treat bacterial vaginosis and eliminate the associated odour.
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Stress and anxiety: these can cause a different type of sweat, which leads to stronger body odour
Stress and anxiety can do more than affect your mood. They can also impact how you smell. When you're stressed, your body produces a different type of sweat from the apocrine glands, which is thicker and full of proteins. This type of sweat is a response to norepinephrine, a hormone that circulates during stress responses.
The human body has two types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. Eccrine glands produce the watery sweat we need to keep cool in hot weather and during exercise. This type of sweat is mostly composed of water and tends to be odourless. Apocrine glands, on the other hand, produce a thick, viscous fluid that may carry a stronger odour after interacting with bacteria on the skin.
The bacteria that naturally live on the surface of the skin feed and grow on the proteins and lipids in the sweat produced by apocrine glands. This bacterial growth leads to body odour. The more bacteria there is on the skin to interact with the sweat, the stronger the body odour will be.
Stress sweat is a natural part of the body's reaction to stress hormones. When you're stressed, your body temperature rises, prompting your sweat glands to activate. While it is normal to sweat more when under stress, excessive sweating that affects your confidence or interferes with your life may be a cause for concern.
To manage stress sweat and reduce body odour, you can:
- Practise relaxation techniques such as yoga, deep breathing, or meditation.
- Exercise regularly to reduce stress and regulate sweat production.
- Wash regularly with antibacterial soap and use antiperspirants or deodorants.
- Keep odiferous body areas dry and change clothes frequently.
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Genetics: some people are genetically predisposed to stronger body odour due to their apocrine glands and skin bacteria
Body odour is primarily caused by the apocrine sweat glands, which are located around body hairs, and become active at puberty. These glands secrete an oily fluid composed of proteins, lipids, and steroids, which is naturally almost odourless. However, when bacteria on the skin metabolise these secretions, they produce the malodorous byproducts that cause body odour.
Genetics play a significant role in body odour, with evidence suggesting that each individual's body odour is unique and influenced by their genetics. The ABCC11 gene, for example, has been linked to body odour, with a correlation between this gene and bromhidrosis, a condition characterised by strong body odour. The loss of function of the ABCC11 gene results in a decrease in odour-causing compounds, leading to reduced body odour. Additionally, the underarm body odour has been associated with the ABCC11 gene, which encodes a protein that transports molecules across cellular membranes, including sweat molecules. If this gene is non-functional, the bacteria on the skin's surface are deprived of the organic compounds they typically metabolise, resulting in reduced body odour.
The type of bacteria on the skin and its interaction with sweat also contribute to body odour. Different individuals host varying bacterial species, leading to differences in odour intensity and character. These bacteria break down sweat into acids, producing a range of scents, including a cheesy odour. Propionibacteria, for instance, can result in a pungent, cheesy, and vinegar-like smell due to the production of propionic acid. Staphylococcus epidermidis, another type of bacteria, contributes to body odour through the production of isovaleric acid, which is also found in strong cheeses.
Stress and anxiety can also impact body odour. When stressed, the body produces a different type of sweat from the apocrine glands, which is thicker and protein-rich. This type of sweat serves as a feast for odour-causing bacteria, leading to stronger body odour that may sometimes have a cheesy scent. Additionally, hormonal fluctuations during puberty, menstruation, or menopause can alter body odour, making it smell sour, cheesy, or more intense.
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Hygiene: not showering enough, or wearing the same clothes/shoes for too long can cause sweat to linger and mix with bacteria
If you smell like stinky cheese, it could be due to a lack of hygiene. Not showering enough or skipping showers allows sweat to linger, which, when mixed with bacteria, can result in body odour that smells like cheese.
Showering daily helps wash away sweat and bacteria, reducing the likelihood of body odour. It is also important to change your clothes frequently, as fresh clothes can make a significant difference in preventing body odour. Wearing the same clothes for too long can trap sweat and bacteria close to the skin, exacerbating the smell. Synthetic materials, such as polyester, are especially prone to trapping moisture and should be avoided if possible. Opt instead for breathable fabrics like cotton or bamboo, which allow sweat to evaporate more easily.
In addition to maintaining personal hygiene, it is also crucial to pay attention to your footwear choices. Your feet have approximately 250,000 sweat glands, making them one of the sweatiest parts of your body. Wearing the same shoes every day without giving them time to dry out creates an ideal environment for bacterial growth, leading to a strong cheese-like odour. To combat this, rotate between different pairs of shoes and select well-ventilated footwear. Washing your feet regularly, drying them thoroughly, and changing your socks daily are also effective ways to keep foot odour at bay.
While maintaining proper hygiene is essential, other factors can also contribute to body odour. These include diet, stress and anxiety levels, hormonal changes, and certain medical conditions. For example, consuming large amounts of dairy products, garlic, onions, and cruciferous vegetables can influence the scent of your sweat. Stress can lead to the production of a different type of sweat that is thicker and protein-rich, providing a feast for odour-causing bacteria. Hormonal fluctuations during puberty, menstruation, or menopause can also result in stronger or altered body odour. Additionally, medical conditions such as hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and trimethylaminuria (a disorder causing the body to emit fishy or cheesy odours) can contribute to persistent body odour.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several reasons why you might smell like stinky cheese. One reason could be that you are consuming large amounts of dairy products, which can influence the scent of your sweat. In addition to dairy, foods high in sulfur, like garlic and onions, can also contribute to body odor.
Try reducing your intake of dairy products and increasing your consumption of leafy greens and citrus fruits, which can help neutralize body odor.
Yes, stress and anxiety can also impact your body odor. When you're stressed, your body produces a different type of sweat from the apocrine glands, which is thicker and full of proteins that bacteria feed on, leading to stronger body odor.
You can try practicing relaxation techniques such as yoga, deep breathing, or meditation to reduce stress levels. Regular exercise is also beneficial as it helps reduce stress and regulate sweat production. Maintaining good hygiene practices, such as showering daily and wearing clean clothes, is important for managing body odor.
