What your body odour really reveals about your health: The simple guide to ... trends now
Most of us will suffer from body odour at some point. Whether it's stinking feet after a day in shoes, or sweaty, smelly armpits after exercise, it's usually not something to worry about.
Often, a simple shower or a soak in the tub can resolve the stench.
Sweat is one of the biggest causes of bad body odour, but some can suffer more than others.
Dr Dawn Harper, GP on Channel 4's Embarrassing Bodies, says around one in 100 people suffer with hyperhidrosis, a condition that makes someone sweat profusely.
There are also other times when body odour can indicate a health problem, and further help may be needed to address the cause.
From smelly feet to a pungent smell from urine, experts share their advice on how to deal with common body odours.
Body odour can wash away after a soak or a shower, but sometimes it is a sign of a health problem
It can be really distressing when your body decides to emit such an unpleasant scent.
Dr Ann Nainan, a GP, says bad body odour could just be a sign that you need to hop in the shower pronto and scrub away the day's grime.
However, there are also various other potential reasons behind a foul smell.
THE CAUSE
Dr Nainan says: 'Stress and anxiety can stimulate sweat glands, increasing perspiration and exacerbating body odour.
'Wearing tight or synthetic clothing that doesn't allow proper ventilation can also trap sweat and bacteria, contributing to body odour, whilst certain medications or supplements may alter body chemistry and result in changes to body odour as a side effect.'
A diet high in processed foods, sugar and alcohol can also affect body odour by altering the balance of bacteria on the skin and increasing sweat production, she says.
On top of this, hot or humid weather as well as some health conditions can contribute to sweating and worsen body odour.
Dr Nainan adds: 'Certain medical conditions like hyperhidrosis can contribute to persistent body odour as can hormonal changes during menstruation or menopause which can increase sweat production and lead to body odour.'
A diet high in processed foods, sugar and alcohol, can affect body odour too by altering the balance of bacteria on the skin and increasing sweat production
TREAT IT
First things first, regular showers are your best bet.
'Use soap and scrub those smelly areas well,' says Dr Nainan. 'Don't forget to dry off thoroughly afterwards as bacteria love hanging out in damp places.'
She recommends changing your current deodorant or antiperspirant to keep those sweat glands in check.
'For extra strength, try an aluminium-based antiperspirant available from pharmacies,' says Dr Nainan. 'These are significantly stronger than regular antiperspirants and may help.'
It's also worth chatting to your pharmacist about medically formulated and specific soaps or creams designed to target odour-causing bacteria too.
'Regularly changing your clothing and looking for natural cotton, bamboo fabrics will also help,' adds Dr Nainan.
She said if the smell doesn't improve after taking these steps it could be time to seek medical help.
'See a doctor if it's not getting better, if you think it's linked to another condition, like an infection, if you have additional symptoms such as weight loss, or if your odour is affecting your confidence or mood,' she said.
Vaginal discharge with yeasty smellExcessive or unusual vaginal discharge isn't just uncomfortable, it could even stop you from wanting to get sexually intimate with your partner.
Dr Jo Bailey, a consultant gynaecologist working with the vaginal probiotic brand VJJ Health, says that a thick white, sometimes lumpy discharge can be due to thrush.
Other symptoms of thrush include a vulval itch, soreness or burning, pain during sex and even small splits in the skin which look like paper cuts.
THE CAUSE
'Thrush is caused by a yeast known as candida,' says Dr Bailey.
'Your vagina contains several types of bacteria and yeasts known as the vaginal microbiome.
'A healthy vagina will have dominance of good bacteria, specifically lactobacilli which keep the pH of the vagina low and stop overgrowth of the bad bacteria.'
However, problems such as thrush can occur when there is an imbalance of the bacteria in this microbiome.
This can lead to an overgrowth of the bad microbes like candida, which causes symptoms.
Symptoms of thrush include a vulval itch, soreness or burning, pain during sex and even small splits in the skin which look like paper cuts
TREAT IT
Dr Bailey recommends antifungal medication for thrush.
'These are available over the counter from pharmacies, as tablets or as a pessary or gel into the vagina, and offer relief from thrush symptoms in over 80 per cent of women.'
She warns that intravaginal treatments can damage latex condoms, so opt for alternative contraception if you're having sex during this time.
To reduce the risk of recurrent thrush, Dr Bailey recommends using non-perfumed soaps, wearing cotton underwear and avoiding tight-fitting clothing.
'Some women will experience recurrent thrush, especially with worse symptoms just before a period,' she says. 'A longer course of antibiotics can be prescribed by your doctor.'
Dr Bailey adds: 'Rebalancing the vaginal microbiome with specifically formulated vaginal probiotics for thrush can deliver right type of good bacteria - vagina specific lactobacilli, which then helps restore the natural environment of your vagina, which can help prevent thrush recurring.'
Foul-smelling or fishy odour from your vaginaA potent fishy or foul smell from the vagina could leave you feeling incredibly self-conscious. Especially as the smell can be so strong, it can be detected through your clothing.
THE CAUSE
A fishy smell from down below is likely due to bacterial vaginosis (BV), according to Dr Bailey.
'BV is a common and recurring vaginal infection among women of reproductive age.
'It occurs when there is an imbalance of bacteria in the vagina. When there are more harmful bacteria than good bacteria in the vagina, bacterial vaginosis can occur.'
Alongside the smell, other symptoms of BV include pain, itching and burning.
A fishy smell from down below is likely due to bacterial vaginosis (BV), according to Dr Bailey
TREAT IT
It's important to treat BV as Dr Bailey warns it can increase the risk of STIs, pelvic inflammatory disease, infertility, and preterm labour.
'The standard treatment is an antibiotic used either by tablet or intravaginal gel,' says Dr Bailey. 'Some women will experience recurrent BV with a period or after sex.'
You can reduce your risk of BV by avoiding perfumed soaps which can cause irritation and aim to wear cotton underwear rather than synthetic fabric.
'Avoid using vaginal douches and spray too,' adds Dr Bailey. 'Your vagina does not need these as it is self-cleaning.'
She also advises supplementing with a clinically and well-researched vaginal-specific probiotic to help rebalance the vaginal microbiome.
A pungent urine smell that lingers in the airTaken aback by the smell when you go for a wee? Often there are simple reasons for this, however it can potentially be a sign of something more serious.
THE CAUSE
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