HomeAnswersDermatologysweatingI have extreme body odor. Please help.

What can cause extreme body odor?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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iCliniq medical review team

Published At March 30, 2016
Reviewed AtFebruary 14, 2024

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I am a healthy male. My weight is 251.32 Ibs and height is 5'7". I am suffering from extreme body odor. Body odor starts few minutes after I take bath, especially from my underarms. Please help.

Answered by Dr. Gaurang Gupta

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your problem. Let me explain the cause and treatment. Excessive sweating is always associated with armpit odor. It can be due to hormones and bacterial reaction. Obesity, diabetes, thyroid, etc., also will cause this. As you are overweight must check thyroid and diabetes. Sometimes, it is natural and not associated with any disease. Shave the area and keep it dry and clean. You can try Aldry lotion (Aluminium chlorohydrate) which has anti-sweating property. Use deodorants and perfumes. Avoid fatty and spicy food and also avoid tight clothes. Botox (Botulinum toxin) is one of the most popular treatments nowadays. We inject this over armpit which cause sweat glands paralysis and totally stops the sweating and so body odor.

Patient's Query

Thanks for your reply doctor.

Yes, I sweat a lot and usually, I feel hotter than the person standing next to me. Is my core body temperature high? Which exact test should I go for thyroid? Is this treatable in the short term or quicker? The nature of my job requires me to be around people and it becomes very embarrassing. Thanks.

Answered by Dr. Gaurang Gupta

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Definitely your symptoms indicate that you should go under few tests. It can also be normal so no need to worry. To rule out thyroid problem, blood test for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), T3 (Triiodothyronine) and T4 (Thyroxine). To rule out diabetes, check blood glucose - fasting and postprandial. These two tests are enough at the initial level.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Thank you for the reply.

My reports are as follows. Blood glucose fasting-94 and PP-134. Thyroid FT3-3.44, FT4-1.15, and TSH-1.834. The results look in the normal range, as you predicted. Please suggest what is the cause of my extreme body odor. What can I do to stop it?

Answered by Dr. Gaurang Gupta

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

According to blood test everything looks normal only. In your case the best is Botox. This will give you faster relief. You also take a short course of antibiotic Azithromycin 500 mg for three days. Use Aldry lotion over armpit in the morning and night. By Botox you will get result within one day and the effect will remain for at least one year. Body odor is sometimes natural also means not associated with any disease. You take Azithromycin course and continue with Aldry lotion for 20 days and let me know the progress.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Gaurang Gupta
Dr. Gaurang Gupta

Dermatology

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