Why do I smell bad even with good hygiene?

Author: Ines Bode II  |  Last update: Friday, July 25, 2025

Your body odor can change due to hormones, the food you eat, infection, medications or underlying conditions like diabetes. Prescription-strength antiperspirants or medications may help.

Why do I smell bad but I'm clean?

Think of anything that could be making smells cling to you, especially your hair, like dirty laundry, dirty carpets, humid spaces, dusty room, re-using damp towels, mold buildup, pets, not changing sheets often, food with a lot spices maybe, smoke, toddlers (those things can be disgusting).

Why do I have bad body odor even after showering?

Why Do I Have Strong Body Odor? Body odor (BO) is caused by bacteria and sweat, but it can also be influenced by factors such as hormones, certain medications, infections or other medical conditions, and the foods you eat. You can have strong body odor even if you practice good hygiene.

How do you stop smelling bad even after you have good hygiene?

How to treat body odour yourself
  1. wash your armpits, groin and feet at least twice a day with soap and dry thoroughly.
  2. shave your armpits regularly.
  3. use antiperspirants and deodorants.
  4. change and wash your clothes regularly.
  5. wear natural fabrics like cotton, wool and silk.
  6. wear antibacterial socks.

Why do I still smell if I have good hygiene?

Still, it's possible that things like diet, medical conditions or a bacterial buildup on the skin could be causing odor, Kopelman says. Hyperhidrosis, the medical term for excessive sweating, could also contribute, because bacteria thrives in moist environments.

What causes body odor? - Mel Rosenberg

What kills odor causing bacteria?

Many deodorants and antiperspirants also contain antimicrobials, like propylene glycol, triclosan and benzalkonium chloride, which decrease bacterial abundance and result in an altered skin microbiome in the armpits.

Why do I smell bad even with good hygiene down there?

A strong vaginal odor may be a sign of vaginitis, or it may be a temporary smell related to your hygiene, lifestyle or other changes. Take note of whether you have other symptoms. If the odor is related to an infection, you'll usually notice other changes, like vaginal itching, burning and discharge.

Why does it smell when I open my legs?

We get it — it's a common problem, but sometimes it can make you self-conscious (“wait, can other people smell that, too?!”) and affect your confidence. Inner thigh odor is caused by various factors, including excessive sweating, fungal infections, poor hygiene, and hormonal changes.

How do I stop smelling bad permanently?

Personal hygiene and lifestyle

Keep your skin clean by taking a daily bath or shower with antibacterial soap. Focus on the areas where you sweat the most, like your armpits and groin area. Removing some of the bacteria on your skin regularly can prevent unpleasant body odor.

How do you permanently get rid of body odor?

The following suggestions may help:
  1. Bathe daily. Regular bathing, especially with an antibacterial soap, reduces the growth of bacteria on your skin.
  2. Choose clothing to suit your activity. For daily wear, choose natural fabrics, such as cotton, wool and silk. ...
  3. Try relaxation techniques. ...
  4. Change your diet.

What does organ failure smell like?

Rarely, people can have bad breath because of organ failure. A person with kidney failure may have breath that smells like ammonia or urine. Serious liver disease can make breath smell musty or like garlic and rotten eggs. Compounds that are transported through the blood can also be released through your sweat glands.

What deodorant kills bacteria?

NIVEA Antibacterial Deodorant

NIVEA MEN Silver Protect Anti-Perspirant Roll-On fights and kills up to 99% of bacteria that cause body odour using innovative silver ions to help you feel fresh all day.

What vitamin deficiency causes body odor?

Vitamin D does more than just give you a sunny glow—it's also super important for keeping your skin and body in check. If you're low on it, your skin could let more bacteria do their thing, which = more body odor.

Why am I smelling an odd smell?

Phantosmia may be caused by a head injury or upper respiratory infection. It also can be caused by aging, trauma, temporal lobe seizures, inflamed sinuses, brain tumors, certain medicines and Parkinson's disease. Phantosmia also can result from a COVID-19 infection.

Why does it smell when I pull my pants down?

Our vaginas are home to billions of bacteria and the balance of this bacteria changes constantly, creating different aromas varying from musty and fermented to coppery or sweet smelling. These smell variations are likely a result of your menstrual cycle, your hygiene habits, or just you.

Can others smell my discharge?

The truth is that when everything's normal, no one else smells any odors from a girl's vagina. If a girl has an infection like bacterial vaginosis, she may notice a fishy smell. But even then, it's unlikely that people around her will notice it.

What does diabetes odor smell like?

People with uncontrolled diabetes can experience a fruity or acetone-like smell (think nail polish remover) on their breath or skin. This is due to the buildup of ketones in your bloodstream, which is a byproduct of fat breakdown.

Why am I always wet down there and smelly?

Bacterial vaginosis is one of the most common causes of a smelly vagina, affecting 15% to 50% of women of reproductive age. 'It's a condition where there's an imbalance in the vaginal flora,' Dr Rosén explains. 'The first symptom is often a fishy smell, which can progress to a frothy, grey or green-ish discharge.

Does cranberry juice help with vaginal odor?

The acidity and antioxidants in cranberries, as well as citrus fruits, can help reduce vaginal odor by discouraging bacterial growth. Always consult with your healthcare provider if you think your vaginal scent or discharge is abnormal.

What does bacterial vaginosis smell like?

Symptoms of bacterial vaginosis include: an unusual vaginal discharge that has a strong fishy smell, particularly after sex. a change to the colour and consistency of your discharge, such as becoming greyish-white and thin and watery.

How do I detox my body odor?

Shower at least once a day, and you'll wash away sweat and get rid of some of the bacteria on your skin. Sweat by itself is basically odorless. But when the bacteria that live on your skin mix with sweat, they multiply quickly and raise quite a stink.

Which ethnicity has the least body odor?

The characteristic human axillary odor is formed by bacterial action on odor precursors that originate from apocrine sweat glands. Caucasians and Africans possess a strong axillary odor ,whereas many Asians have only a faint acidic odor.

How not to smell down there?

1. Adopt good hygiene measures
  1. urinating immediately after sex.
  2. using a gentle, fragrance-free soap on the vulva only.
  3. changing underwear daily, or when the underwear is sweaty or soiled.
  4. washing underwear in unscented products.
  5. taking a shower after sweating, as trapped sweat can increase vaginal odor.

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