undershirt can help keep your pits dry and ward off smell-causing bacteria. Bacterial vaginosis produces a fishy smell, which is more pronounced during menstruation, as blood increases the vaginal alkalinity. Things You Didn't Know About Masturbation, Chronic recurrent multifocal osteomyelitis (CRMO), Difference Between Male And Female Structures (Mental And Physical). natural fibers like cotton, wool and linen these materials soak up sweat and A few anecdotal reports have been made that certain menstrual conditions can create temporary changes in the bodys senses of smell, taste, and touch. But contrary to To keep smelly sweat at bay, buy clothing made of [7] Symptoms will be an obvious sign offrequent bowel movementsthat may be darker than normal. As chemotherapy is processed throughout the body, it can produce a variety of odors that can come through the skin, urine, feces, or sweat. desk drawer. 8. Required fields are marked *. American Diabetes Association. An irritated, oily scalp can mean a smelly scalp too," Dr. Karen says. Menstruation involves the shedding of blood and tissue from the uterine lining through the vagina. Ketones a type of acetone can give your breath and body odor a Due to this imbalance, your sweat glands release sweat that has a different odor than normal. What is the latest research on the form of cancer Jimmy Carter has? produce a fishy body odor after eating foods with choline these people can Best food forward: Are algae the future of sustainable nutrition? shows that people who are magnesium-deficient have stronger body odor than Sweat is released . If youve experienced these You might not notice it until someone else mentions it, but doctors can smell it on you as soon as you walk into a room. Clearly metallic-smelling bowel movements may be the sign of something entirely harmless like iron supplements or antibiotics. Heather M. Jones is a freelance writer with a focus on health, parenting, disability, and feminism. Onions. Proteins are made up of amino acids and when metabolized can be partially converted into glucose to provide an energy source for the working muscle. armpits. In general, it is important to keep track of how your period blood smells every month as it can be a good indication of your overall health. A person with trichomoniasis might notice an unusual fishy smell from the vagina and a change in vaginal discharge. What Are the Different Types of Liver Disease? When youre stressed, Your scalp may also burn or itch, and you might have temporary hair loss. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. [2]. Apocrine glands are responsible for producing body odor. Yes, your period can change both your taste and smell! What Causes Clear Mucus In Your Stool, And Should You Be Worried? Sweet-smelling urine is always a reason to call your healthcare provider. If you notice any other folds of your skin smell under the breasts, in your bellybutton or in your groin you can use the hairdryer to dry those areas, too, she says. It can also result from your body burning protein rather than glucose during a workout. Try an antibacterial soap and [8]. 7. Eating too many sweet treats can cause an overgrowth of yeast, People with DKA need to get insulin, fluids, and other treatments to help their bodies recover. Smell can reveal when someone is sick due to changes in their immune activity. Synthetic fibers like rayon, polyester and nylon trap This creates a build up of acidic chemicals called ketones in your blood. To avoid having sweet-smelling urine, you'll need to prevent or treat the conditions that cause it. Thegoal of antibiotics is to kill cells,but the ingredients that comprise most of these medications are unable to selectively attack only bad cells. There are two types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine. Summary. 2023 Thompson Tee. Poor personal hygiene can cause an overgrowth bacteria and You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. People with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can go into DKA, but it's more common if someone has undiagnosed or poorly controlled diabetes. If your liver or kidneys arent functioning properly, the toxins that they normally filter out of your body can instead build up. But the reactionincluding painful stomach cramping, nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting, as well as smelly farts and poop can vary from person to person, says Mens Health nutrition advisor Alan Aragon, M.S. Heart failure: Could a low sodium diet sometimes do more harm than good? It has been reported that an increase in hormones can cause some women to be more sensitive to scents and odors. Outlook. As we have seen in our other "intestinal investigations",frequent bowel movementscan shed light onto some possible conditions that we may be suffering from. Managing diabetes is the first step in preventing DKA. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. Make sure youre taking regular showers, applying It is estimated that in the United States,6 percent of the population meets the criteria for a diagnosis of moderate to severe anemia [4]. Additionally, the way that your period smells can also tell how old the blood is. This type of smell is often due to a foreign body, such as a tampon, that a person has accidentally left in the vagina for too long. You can check your ketone levels and monitor them at home using test strips. When people sweat profusely after hard exercise the body breaks down proteins. They can do a test of your urine (urinalysis) to find out what is causing the smell. Sweet-smelling urine isn't normal, especially when the scent comes on suddenly. The symptoms of maple syrup urine disease include: If maple syrup urine disease is not treated, it can cause seizures, coma, and death. snoring. Why Your Hair Falls Out When You Wash It, According to Doctors, This Is Why Behind Your Ears Smells So Bad, 6 Reasons Why Your Hair Hurts, According to a Dermatologist, American Academy of Dermatology: "Scalp Psoriasis: Symptoms", U.S. National Library of Medicine: "Yeast Infections". Eating pungent foods like garlic or oregano can contribute to this smell too. They can also do other tests, such as: The treatment for sweet-smelling urine depends on what's causing it. Urine does not usually have a strong odor to it, but a person may notice an ammonia odor at times. It might be time to toss out that secret candy stash in your But sweat which smells like urine could also be a symptom of something more serious. If your period blood has a very strong and pungent smell, it could also indicate an infection, such as a yeast or sexually-transmitted . sweat on your skin, the worse your body odor becomes. Additionally, talking to a doctor if the smell is accompanied by any other symptoms can help diagnose the underlying cause and get the proper treatment. Do you work out a lot? What happens as a result is that antibiotics medications are able to kill not only bad microbes but also good microbes that help your body function. Changes in body odor also may signal a health problem. As we have seen, this symptom can point to a serious underlying pathology, as well. It may not be until you enter the still air of your home that you notice the scent. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. A person should be aware of new or unusual smells during their period or changes in vaginal discharge outside of their period. You can find out more about our use, change your default settings, and withdraw your consent at any time with effect for the future by visiting Cookies Settings, which can also be found in the footer of the site. 4. The cells of people with diabetes have a hard time receiving the glucose they need for energy. A person with the condition needs lifelong treatment that includes following a protein-restricted diet and taking supplements. Aloe Vera. Doctors diagnose bacterial vaginosis using a range of tests and typically prescribe antibiotics for treatment. Change your diet. Whether youve just completed a grueling workout or chowed down on an onion-packed burger, chances are, at one time or another, youve been that guy who stunk up the room. In most cases, a simple shower, swipe of deodorant, or line of minty-fresh toothpaste could remedy the situation. If your period blood has a metallic smell, it could mean that you are deficient in iron, while a mild fishy or musty smell could mean that you have an infection of some sort, such as bacterial vaginosis. It seems like you are well and this has been a longstanding issue, so I am not overly concerned that you have underlying health issues. Choline-rich foods. This is especially true if you use a lot of hair product, exercise a lot, are prone to excessive sweating or are going through hormonal changes (think: puberty, menopause) that affect your sweat production. Other symptoms that can occur during your period include increased appetite, increased cravings for certain foods, and more intense reactions to certain smells. 1. We sweat all over our bodies, to cool down and to keep our skin moist, but there are three different types of sweat glands: eccrine, apocrine, and apoeccrine glands. Other forms of the disease can show up in later infancy and childhood. In this article, learn how menstrual cups work and, Spotting before a period is usually harmless, and it may not always have a clear cause. fruity smell. Soap, laundry detergent, makeup, lotions and other products can also create pungent smells. This means your UTI could be signaling a bigger problem, like kidney stones, diabetes, or an enlarged prostate gland, which can require surgery to treat, he says. That said, it is possible for the bleeding to have a smell if there is an infection present. One of the main acidsacetone (the same component found in nail polish remover)can leave a fruity smell on your breath, Dr. Gabbay says. During your period, your sense of smell can be heightened due to the fluctuation of hormones. People should also speak to a doctor if they experience the following during their period: A doctor can help to identify whether or not a person has an infection or a more severe condition. A person might notice that their period blood smells metallic due to the presence of blood and iron. causing body odor, you should consult with your doctor to determine the best 4 /13. This can be because there is not enough insulin in the body, insulin resistance has developed, or there is not enough sugar in the blood (hypoglycemia). For some women, smells they previously enjoyed can cause them to become nauseous and vice versa. This is due to the presence of apocrine sweat glands in the genital region. Your urine and diabetes: what you should know, Urinary tract infections: causes, symptoms & treatment, GCMS analysis of breath odor compounds in liver patients, Insulin, medicines, & other diabetes treatments, Recurrent uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women, Changes in the odor of urine (especially foul-smelling), Pain in the side, abdomen, lower back, penis, or pelvic area, Drink plenty of fluids, particularly water, to help flush bacteria from the urinary tract, Practice good hygiene, such as wiping from front to back, hand-washing, and changing menstrual products frequently, Avoid fluids and foods such as alcohol, citrus juices, caffeinated drinks, and spicy foods, which can irritate the bladder, Wash the genital area with warm water before sex but, Wear cotton underwear and avoid tight clothing, Avoid alcohol or other substances that are toxic to the liver, Take medications only as necessary. (If youre passing wind more than usual, rule out these five other reasons you could be gassy first. DKA is a medical emergency that always needs to be treated in the hospital. Some conditions that cause sweet-smelling urine are easy to manage, but others can be life-threatening without immediate medical treatment. Doctors do not recommend the use of a douche to clean the vagina. If you lookat a country in the developing world, however, prevalence rates for anemia can be as high as 60 percentof the population. If you have kidney disease, your kidneys may be unable to break down a chemical called urea. We may earn a commission through links on our site. Conditions like psoriasis can be treated with topical corticosteroids or anti-inflammatories like tacrolimus, vitamin D-based topicals such as calcipotriene or topical retinoids like tazarotene, she says. It can also make the urine smell unusual. Magnesium is a vital mineral for your heart, muscles, nerves Unless you can identify an obvious cause, however, stool with a metallic odor should be reported to your physician for further investigation. Its vital sleep apnea gets diagnosed quickly: The sleeping condition has been strongly associated with diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease, so treating it sooner than later can spare you of its long-term health effects, Dr. Dasgupta says. In fact, some .css-16acfp5{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.125rem;text-decoration-color:#d2232e;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-16acfp5:hover{color:#000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;background-color:yellow;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}diseases can actually produce a unique, distinguished odor, according to a recent Swedish study. That said, menstrual bleeding typically doesnt have an odour which is why it can be hard to detect that a miscarriage has occurred. So if you notice your pee smells funky, check in with your doctor, who will test your urine to see whats up. "The sweat on your feet doesn't smell on its own," says Mark Kosinski, D.P.M., a podiatrist and . Heart attack symptoms: The smelly sign you may be ignoring are you at risk? When ketones build up, they can poison the body. It is . If a person notices a strong, unpleasant odour associated with their miscarriage blood, this may be a sign of infection, and they should see a doctor immediately. Anemia can lead patients to feel fatigued, without energy, and pale. Eating magnesium-rich foods like dark Here are five common causes of suddenly smelly armpits, how to stop the stench in its tracks, and when it's time to see a doctor. Because fungi tend to thrive in moist environments, try using a talcum to keep your feet dry if they tend to get sweaty. To get rid of that bad smell in your hair, try these doctor-approved remedies: If your smelly scalp is caused by seborrheic dermatitis, Dr. Mokaya recommends treating it with topical, OTC dandruff shampoos that contain ingredients like zinc pyrithione, ketoconazole, salicylic acid, selenium sulfide or coal tar. Increased hormone levels can cause an over-activation of the odor-sensitive cells in your nose, amplifying your ability to detect odors. However, sweet-smelling urine is almost always a sign of a medical condition. This smell is often described as metallic, fish-like, or musty. A bladder infection can make their urine smell of ammonia . In severe cases, systemic medications like biologics and oral prescription meds may be needed. ", She also recommends Jupiter's Restoring Serum ($26, HelloJupiter.com) for anyone who washes their hair less frequently, as it's a leave-in product that "helps to control oil production between washes, which leaves your scalp clear and can stave off odors.". 3. Some odors are normal, while others may be a sign of a problem. Sjogren's syndrome, an autoimmune disease, attacks the . Alisa Hrustic is the deputy editor at Prevention, where she leads the brands digital editorial strategy. Recognizing and addressing the early warning signs of DKA is also important. Here, learn about the treatment, prevention, and more. A person might notice a bad or rotten smell during their period, which could be a sign of a problem. Avoid exercising if your ketones and blood sugar levels are high. This is a common side effect of many chemotherapy medications and regimens used to treat many types of cancer. treatment option. But most body odor originates from your apocrine glands, a type of sweat gland concentrated in the armpits and groin. (2017). The treatments available will depend on the cause of the smelly scalp. Since athletes foot is just one of the nasty skin conditions you can pick up at the gym, protect yourself from picking it up again by wearing shoes in the locker room. and kidneys. "I've seen one too many DIY scalp treatments go awry, leaving the scalp irritated and often smelling worse than when it started," she says. Key Takeaways. The symptoms and side effects of type 2 diabetes can often be prevented by making lifestyle changes or taking medication. "In general, white and Asian people can wash their hair daily or every other day," she says. In most cases, a strong urine smell is caused by your food or is a sign that you need more fluids.If your urine smells sweet, you feel unwell, or you have other symptoms along with foul . We and our partners use cookies on this site to improve our service, perform analytics, personalize advertising, measure advertising performance, and remember website preferences. It's also a classic symptom of a potentially life-threatening complication of diabetes known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). The fluid comes from the damp lining of your mucous membrane . allow it to evaporate. 1. This could be an indication of a yeast infection and can cause discomfort, itching, and burning. These include sinus infections, gum disease, and acid reflux. This can cause some women to be more sensitive to strong odors than usual and can result in an increase in nausea and vomiting. Liver disease prevention. She suggests using a scalp massager or brush a couple times a week to exfoliate prior to cleansing as "this helps break up and clear away dead skin cells and buildup that, when left on the scalp.". NOTE: Due to the volume of mail, we regret that Dr. Roberts cannot answer every email.