Medical Conditions That Cause Body Odor

Body odor. It’s gross to talk about and usually blamed on bad hygiene. Skipping showers, wearing dirty clothes, not brushing our teeth or just general uncleanliness are the typical culprits. But body odor isn’t always caused from skipping a shower. Certain medical conditions can cause body odor that are out of our control.

Where Body Odor Comes From

First, let’s address what causes B.O. While there are sweat glands all over your body, apocrine glands are concentrated in your armpits, scalp and groin. When sweat from apocrine glands reacts with bacteria on your skin, it causes body odor.

See the best natural deodorants here.

Most body odor can be managed with proper hygiene. Regular showers, applying deodorant, wearing clean clothes and brushing your teeth regularly can help manage your body odor. However, there are times even with stellar hygiene that body odor is a persistent problem.

Medical Conditions That Cause Body Odor

Beyond hygiene, there are certain cases where diseases or medical conditions can alter a person’s body odor. Here are some of the top medical conditions that cause body odor.

• Diabetes. Diabetes patients often experience additional medical complications, including a sudden change in smell or body odor. Urinary tract infections and the high level of blood glucose can increase body odor and bad breath. Going even further, diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening condition when your body doesn’t have enough insulin and your cells cannot get the sugar they need for energy. One of the symptoms is a distinct, fruity breath smell. (Contact your physician immediately if this occurs.)
• Thyroid. Thyroid glands cause our body to sweat. When you have an overactive thyroid, it causes the body to product an excessive amount of sweat, even if you aren’t exerting yourself. This can cause excessive body odor.
• Kidney and liver dysfunction. The kidneys and liver help remove toxins from our system. When they fail to function properly, toxins can build up in the blood and digestive tract, creating odor.
• Genetic Disorders. While this is incredibly rare, gene mutations can also affect body odor. Trimethylaminuria is a condition where your body is unable to break down the chemical compound, trimethylamine. Trymethylamine is what gives fish its “fishy” smell. With trimethylaminuria, the compound builds up in your body and is released in your sweat, urine and breath.

Other Ways to Manage Your Sweat

In addition to managing B.O., sweat stains are a plaguing problem for heavy sweaters. Try a Thompson Tee to stop sweat marks in their tracks and stop pitting out for good.

For those days that you're not worried about sweat, try the Premium Undershirt. Made with Supima cotton, MicroModal blend and infused with Odor Shield™ technology, the Premium Undershirt is designed to keep you smelling fresh through everyday activities. 

Please note: This is a cursory guide to medical conditions that cause sweat stains — we are not doctors or medical professionals. If you think you have a medical condition that causes body odor, you should consult with your doctor for the best treatment options for you.