My body odor has changed unpleasantly. Why?
Discount Medical Scrubs
I found a yahoo! answers that was EXACTLY the same as my question, but I wasn't satisfied with the answer. I will post it here, but the original post is here: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080917094929AABdUn8
"I have an odd question about body odor?
This is going to sound a little strange and maybe a little gross. I just noticed a drastic change in the scent of my body odor. Usually it has a musty smell. But just now I've noticed a skunky, ammonia-ish smell that I have never smelled before. I know that a sudden change in body odor can be a subtle symptom of an underlying medical condition. I am also suffering from nausea, fatigue, dizziness, and a ringing in my ears. I am also late- which has only happened 3 times since I was 9. I am not sure if I should be concerned or if I am just over paranoid. Please no responses about showering more frequently. I have very good personal hygiene and understand the purpose and uses of deodorant. I am looking for opinions on what could cause a sudden change in the odor and what it could be a symptom of."
Unless it's immaculate conception, it cannot be pregnancy as I am a virgin, the definition of which, is that I have never been sexual active- and therefore unlikely to be pregnant.
I have never been someone who gets extremely hungry- so if my dietary pattern has changed I wouldn't know- but last week I only had 2 meals. I am extremely overweight though.
I have not been excessively thirsty or having to urinate frequently.
Please do not say things like "shower" or whatever, because
1. that isn't constructive, and
2. it doesn't really help with the smell.
I taken multiple 20 minute shower, cold, scalding, warm and come out pinker than pencil eraser from having scrubbed myself raw; wiped myself down with antiseptic towels because sweat smells because of bacteria, used deodorant and perfumes to mask it, and a whole host of the things that don't work or help, because 5 minutes later, the smell is back.
I have already been to the doctor. They didn't know what was wrong. But took blood and urine samples. I also did an EKG which was normal.
The body odor problem went away as soon as I got my period- maybe it was a hormone buildup thing? But the dizziness and nausea continue on... so I guess I'm asking about that.
Tags: ammonia, body odor, deodorant, dietary pattern, discount medical scrubs, dizziness, drastic change, good personal hygiene, immaculate conception, medical condition, musty smell, nausea, odd question, pencil eraser, perfumes, question index, quot, ringing in my ears, sudden change, yahoo answers
April 8th, 2011 at 5:20 am
Certain body odors are defined as idiopathic, which means that their cause is unknown. In some cases, the condition is genetic and several members of the same family are affected.
Body odor also frequently affect people who are obese, anxious, extremely tired or who suffer from digestive, renal & metabolic disorders.
Categorically, the below mentioned ones are the general causes for body odor in cases like yours:
- Poor hygiene and inadequate bathing.
- An imbalance in the bacteria that inhabit the gut. Antibiotics may contribute to this condition.
- An inborn error of metabolism or some other problem that may cause about 7% of those suffering from body odor to be unable to digest certain foods. These undigested foods, which are often proteins, cause the body to give off unpleasant odors.
- Normal aging
- Certain foods such as red meat, onions, curry, cumin, garlic, fatty foods, stale sweet.
- Certain medications, including bupropion (Wellbutrin), venlafaxine (Effexor), tamoxifen, and pilocarpine (Salagen). These drugs may be responsible for the excretion of odors.
- Such disease conditions as liver disease, low blood sugar or hypoglycemia, kidney disease, diabetes mellitus, a yeast infection, fungal infections, overactive thyroid or hyperthyroidism, fever, urinary tract infection, Fish odor syndrome – a very rare metabolic disease, or gastrointestinal disorders may lead to body odor.
- Low levels of male hormones
- Deficiency of zinc mineral, cavities, toxins, etc
- Pathological skin conditions, including cancer, hemorrhoids, and ulcers, may produce unpleasant smelling discharges on the skin or body surface.
- States of high anxiety and stress that stimulate perspiration may increase the risk of body odors.
- Chain-smoking and heavy drinking. Alcohol and nicotine increase the rate of perspiration.
The way to eliminate body odor, then, is not to mask it with unhealthful deodorant products, but rather to clean up your body from the inside out. Many deodorants and antiperspirants often only provide a temporary solution because the root of the problem is not being addressed. Natural and holistic treatments such as herbal and homeopathic remedies have proven to be effective in the healthy elimination of toxins from the body and to help keep perspiration levels at normal levels.
Two well known herbs such as Galium aperine (also known as Cleavers) and Milk Thistle act as cleansing tonics and supports the healthy functioning of the lymphatic system and liver. Homeopathic ingredients such as Silica, Calcium sulphate, Mag. Phos and Merc. Sol helps to maintain hygiene and freshness and also maintains the detoxifying and regulatory properties of the body.
You may get more info here http://www.healthherbsandnutrition.com/remedies/b/bodyodor.htm
April 8th, 2011 at 5:20 am
could you have an infection somewhere?
April 8th, 2011 at 5:20 am
If u want definite answer, see a doctor. My body odor change a lot if I feel stress or if I eat Indian food everyday for 2 weeks(while I visited india)
April 8th, 2011 at 5:20 am
Body odor is the result of THREE things:
1) Bacteria living on your skin feed on the fat in your sweat. The bacteria give of bad-smelling gas as they feed.
2) Certain things that you eat or drink can pass through your skin. Onions and Garlic are two prime examples. Some aromatic herbs (basil, rosemary, thyme, lemon grass, fennel) can also do it.
3) Certain illness can cause body chemicals to be secreted from the skin.
The SIMPLEST thing to try is an antibacterial soap, like DIAL. Dial will kill most bacteria, and your body odor problem may go away.
Keep track of EVERYTHING you eat, every day, for a month. ALSO keep track of when your body odor smells really bad and when it is not so bad. Compare this with your diet, and see if there is anything possibly related. If you smell worse after eating Mexican Food, maybe some onions, peppers, or spices are affecting you. Mexican has lots of peppers and onion. Chinese has lots of garlic. italian has garlic and aromatic herbs. Make adjustments in your diet!!! [But CONTINUE with the antibacterial soap!]
if neither of these work, then visit your doctor. Both liver and kidney problems can cause body odor problems. A physical (including blood work) might shed some light.
April 8th, 2011 at 5:20 am
I have had the same problem, I used to absolutely stink of, as you said, skunky, ammonia-ish odour. It would smell even worse when I was nervous. Even when it was freezing out, I’d still sweat! I tried all sorts of deodorants, but none of them worked, even the clinically proved ones were useless. I put it down to climate change (I was living abroad in a hot country) & change in diet (Before, I would only eat 1 meal a day & maybe some fruit), now I eat 2 meals. I went through a stage of eating healthily (not that I wasn’t eating healthily before..) and exercising, but nothing changed, I would still smell. It made my life Hell. Now almost a year on & I haven’t smelled it for a while. I have no idea what caused it, but I hope it doesn’t happen again. Good luck!