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Body Odor

Everyone has a natural body scent. Odor comes from skin bacteria breaking down sweat, and it usually responds to simple daily habits — but a new or unusual smell can be your body’s way of flagging a health problem worth checking.

What causes body odor?

Body odor is the smell that comes from bacteria on your skin mixing with sweat. Sweat itself is largely odorless — it is the bacteria breaking it down that makes the smell, which people describe as sweet, sour, tangy or onion-like (Cleveland Clinic). When bacteria break down apocrine sweat (see below) and cause a strong, unpleasant smell, the medical name is bromhidrosis (Cleveland Clinic).

You have two kinds of sweat glands (Cleveland Clinic):

  • Eccrine glands cover most of your body, including the palms and soles. Their sweat cools your skin and doesn’t smell.
  • Apocrine glands open into hair follicles, mainly in the armpits and groin. Their sweat is the kind that leads to odor.

How much you sweat doesn’t decide how you smell: some people have odor without sweating much, and some sweat heavily with little odor (Cleveland Clinic). Having a natural body scent is normal (Cleveland Clinic).

Who gets it?

Body odor typically starts in adolescence. Apocrine glands switch on at puberty, which is why young children don’t usually have body odor (Cleveland Clinic). New body odor is often one of the first signs of puberty, usually starting around age 8 or 9, and the American Academy of Pediatrics calls it perfectly normal (American Academy of Pediatrics). Males tend to have more body-odor problems, which Cleveland Clinic links to having more hair and so more apocrine glands (Cleveland Clinic).

Everyday triggers

When a change in odor can be a health clue

A body odor that is new, different, or doesn’t fit your usual habits can point to an underlying condition. Examples include:

To find a cause, a doctor uses a physical exam and may order blood or urine tests (Cleveland Clinic). A board-certified dermatologist can evaluate strong or unusual body odor and refer you to another specialist if needed (American Academy of Dermatology).

Foot odor

Smelly feet come from sweat and bacteria building up on the feet, and sometimes from a fungal infection such as athlete’s foot. Hot weather, exercise, standing for long periods, hormonal changes (puberty, pregnancy, menopause), some medicines and hyperhidrosis all make feet sweat more (NHS). See our Athlete’s Foot guide if your feet are also itchy, peeling or cracked between the toes. Foot-care habits are under Wellness coaching below.

See a doctor promptly if:

Side by side

Six approaches compared

For every condition we look at the same six approaches: what each involves, what it typically costs, and what a patient can realistically expect.

ApproachWhat it involves Estimated costWhat to expect
Conventional medicine (AMA) Antiperspirants (which reduce sweat) or deodorants (which target odor), clinical-strength or prescription antiperspirants, antibacterial or benzoyl peroxide washes, finding and treating any underlying cause, and dermatologist treatments for heavy sweating. At one pharmacy: a standard antiperspirant about $4, a clinical-strength one about $9, an aluminum-free deodorant about $5. Doctor or dermatologist visit: cost estimate being researched. Most everyday odor responds to washing plus the right product. A new or unusual smell needs a medical check, because treating the cause is what helps.
Chiropractic Being researched — coming soon.
Acupuncture Being researched — coming soon.
Herbal medicine Natural deodorants, including ones with tea tree oil or baking soda, and home remedies such as baking soda or green tea. At one pharmacy: a tea tree and lavender natural deodorant about $12. Little research on body odor. Natural products can still irritate skin, and they don’t reduce sweat. Tea tree oil must never be swallowed.
Massage therapy Being researched — coming soon.
MBHA Wellness Coach Daily washing and thorough drying, breathable clothing, fresh socks and rotated shoes, shaving underarms if you like, noticing food and stress triggers, and kind, practical puberty talks for families. Cost estimate being researched. Steady habits keep most everyday odor in check. A coach supports you; a coach never replaces a medical check for a new or unusual smell.

Approach 1 of 6

Conventional medicine (AMA)

For most people, body odor is managed with good daily hygiene and the right product. When the smell is new, unusual, or doesn’t respond to self-care, the goal shifts to finding the cause (Cleveland Clinic).

1. Antiperspirant or deodorant — what’s the difference?

2. Stronger products and washes

If ordinary products aren’t enough, try a clinical-strength antiperspirant from the pharmacy; a provider can prescribe a stronger one if those fail (Cleveland Clinic). Antibacterial soaps, and benzoyl peroxide cleansers, lower the number of skin bacteria that cause odor (Cleveland Clinic).

3. Is antiperspirant safe?

You may have read that antiperspirants cause breast cancer. The National Cancer Institute says no scientific evidence links these products to breast cancer, while noting that studies are limited and more research is needed (National Cancer Institute). Cleveland Clinic likewise says research hasn’t proven that aluminum causes breast cancer (Cleveland Clinic). If you’re worried, talk with your doctor — and an aluminum-free deodorant is always an option.

4. Treating the underlying cause

When odor changes because of a health condition, such as diabetes, liver or kidney disease, or an infection (Cleveland Clinic), the focus shifts to diagnosing and treating that condition. For trimethylaminuria, NORD describes options that depend on how severe it is: limiting foods rich in choline and lecithin for milder cases, and, under a doctor’s care, measures such as an antibiotic to reduce gut bacteria, riboflavin for some people, products that bind trimethylamine in the gut, or slightly acidic soaps and lotions (NORD). Please don’t restrict your diet or take supplements for this without medical guidance.

5. When heavy sweating is part of the problem

Over-the-counter antiperspirants work only for mild excessive sweating. A board-certified dermatologist can offer prescription antiperspirants, medicated cloths or gels for the underarms, botulinum toxin (Botox) injections, iontophoresis for hands and feet, an in-office microwave treatment that destroys underarm sweat glands (studies show it can also get rid of underarm odor), pills, and — usually only when other treatments fail — surgery (American Academy of Dermatology). Cleveland Clinic adds that antibiotics can reduce skin bacteria, and that sweat-reducing pills are used with caution because your body needs sweat to cool down (Cleveland Clinic). Our upcoming Sweat Glands & Sweating guide will cover these in more detail.

Who to see

Your primary care provider is a good first stop, especially if the smell is new or unusual, since blood or urine tests may help find a cause (Cleveland Clinic). A board-certified dermatologist can help with stubborn odor or heavy sweating (American Academy of Dermatology, American Academy of Dermatology). For foot odor that doesn’t improve with self-care, a doctor may prescribe a stronger antifungal or antiperspirant, or refer you to a podiatrist (NHS).

What it costs

How well it works — what to expect

Everyday body odor usually comes down to hygiene, clothing and the right product, and if self-care doesn’t help, a provider can recommend prescription treatment or tests to rule out other conditions (Cleveland Clinic). There is no cure for hyperhidrosis, but treatment can manage it well (American Academy of Dermatology).

Find a medical doctor in our directory

Approach 4 of 6

Herbal medicine

Many people prefer “natural” deodorants. These usually rely on ingredients aimed at odor-causing bacteria, such as witch hazel, mandelic acid, baking soda or tea tree oil (American Academy of Dermatology). Some are sold with tea tree and lavender oils (for example, this retail listing).

What the research says

  • Tea tree oil: the U.S. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health reviews research on tea tree oil for acne, athlete’s foot, nail fungus, lice and other uses, but its summary does not cover body odor at all (NCCIH). So there is little to go on.
  • Home remedies: Cleveland Clinic lists baking soda paste, green tea bags, diluted apple cider vinegar and diluted lemon juice as natural options people try, and suggests discussing them with a provider first (Cleveland Clinic).
  • No sweat control: products without an aluminum ingredient on the label don’t reduce sweating (American Academy of Dermatology), so they won’t help much if heavy sweating is part of the problem.

In short: a natural deodorant is a reasonable personal choice for everyday odor if it works for you and your skin tolerates it. It is not a treatment for a new or unusual smell — that needs a medical check.

Safety. “Natural” doesn’t mean gentle. Deodorant ingredients can irritate sensitive skin (American Academy of Dermatology), and fragrances and dyes are common culprits (Cleveland Clinic). Tea tree oil can cause skin redness or irritation, more likely if the product is old or has been exposed to heat, light or air, and it must never be swallowed — taken by mouth it can cause confusion, unsteadiness, inability to walk and coma (NCCIH). Keep it away from children. Stop any product that makes your skin red, itchy or sore. We don’t list strengths or doses here.

Approach 6 of 6

MBHA Wellness Coach

Body odor is part of having a body, and there is nothing shameful about it. An MBHA Wellness Coach can help you find a simple routine that fits your life — and help you notice when a change is worth a doctor’s visit.

Wash and dry

Clothing

Feet, socks and shoes

Notice your triggers

For families: talking with kids about puberty

The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests treating body odor as a normal part of growing up and offering practical tips rather than criticism (American Academy of Pediatrics). Its advice includes:

When habits aren’t enough

If your usual routine stops working, or your smell changes and you can’t explain why, a coach will encourage you to see a doctor — see the warning signs above. A coach is never a substitute for medical care.

Still being researched: Chiropractic, Acupuncture, Massage therapy. We add each approach once its costs and results are sourced. Are you a practitioner with experience treating Body Odor? Tell us.

Member stories

Living with Body Odor? Share your experience

Real experiences help others choose. Tell us what you tried — conventional medicine, chiropractic, acupuncture, herbs, massage or coaching — what it cost and what changed.

No stories have been published for this condition yet. Yours could be the first.

Which approaches have you tried?

What did you try, what did it cost, and what changed for you? Please leave out anything you’d rather keep private.

We read every story before it’s published and may shorten it. Stories describe one person’s experience; results vary. See our Privacy Policy.

Sources

This page is for education only and is not medical advice. Costs are typical U.S. ranges and estimates; yours will depend on your provider, location and insurance. Talk with your doctor before starting, stopping or combining any treatment. In an emergency, call 911. See our disclaimer.

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