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Strong Body Odor
Right now I'm enrolled in a college I really like, but things are hard. Besides the stress that coming with being a full-time student in college, I have a strong body odor. People can smell me from 50 yards away. They do not think I take showers or wash my clothes ever. This is far from the truth though. I don't smell my odor on myself but numerous people do. I have seen a gynecologist, but that did not help my situation. Some people say it smells like urine or as if I don't wash my genital area and feet. I have tried using wipes, feminine deodorant, baby powder,pads, and perfume. It is really affecting my concentration in school, self-esteem, and my social life big time. People smell me before they even see me. I smell so bad people thought it was a group of people. It's embarrassing! Suggestions are welcome.
Even when I'm not sweating, I smell bad to others. I thought maybe I'm showering incorrectly or something, but I don't think so anymore. Sometimes no "dirt" comes off and when I wipe there is some on the toilet paper.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Body odor is seen in poor hygiene (ruled out in your case) or medical conditions like thyroid disorder, carcinoid syndrome and taking drugs like antidepressant. Increased sweating due to any cause can also cause unpleasant body odour because microorganism in your body can break sweat into aromatic fatty acids which smell bad. All causes of hyperhydrosis like hyperthyroidism, diabetes, carcinoid syndromes infections etc should be eliminated.
Vinegar like smell in sweat is due to an acid called propionic acid. Since this acid is chemically similar to acetic acid in vinegar, the sweat smells of vinegar. This happens due to excess amino acids in sweat (which are breakdown products of protein), seen common with a high protein diet. Also if the diet is rich in cheese, then bacteria of staphylococcus type acts on the sweat and causes this smell of vinegar. Hence to avoid this smell you would need to carefully look at your diet and lower the protein and cheese content in it.
Since I cannot examine you and know other related conditions you may be having, nor is a detailed history possible on net, I have listed the various possibilities that should be looked into. Please consult your PCP for primary examination followed by proper referral. Take care!
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Body odor is seen in poor hygiene (ruled out in your case) or medical conditions like thyroid disorder, carcinoid syndrome and taking drugs like antidepressant. Increased sweating due to any cause can also cause unpleasant body odour because microorganism in your body can break sweat into aromatic fatty acids which smell bad. All causes of hyperhydrosis like hyperthyroidism, diabetes, carcinoid syndromes infections etc should be eliminated.
Vinegar like smell in sweat is due to an acid called propionic acid. Since this acid is chemically similar to acetic acid in vinegar, the sweat smells of vinegar. This happens due to excess amino acids in sweat (which are breakdown products of protein), seen common with a high protein diet. Also if the diet is rich in cheese, then bacteria of staphylococcus type acts on the sweat and causes this smell of vinegar. Hence to avoid this smell you would need to carefully look at your diet and lower the protein and cheese content in it.
Since I cannot examine you and know other related conditions you may be having, nor is a detailed history possible on net, I have listed the various possibilities that should be looked into. Please consult your PCP for primary examination followed by proper referral. Take care!
There was a very similar question here recently. Apparently urine smell in the sweat is caused by too much protein - sounds like you should try reducing your protein intake and increasing your carbohydrates.
Here's an article that might help.
http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/information/nutrition/ammonia-sweat-smell.htm
Here's an article that might help.
http://health.howstuffworks.com/skin-care/information/nutrition/ammonia-sweat-smell.htm
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