Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Excessive Foul Body Odur?
Question: My husband bathes every day and uses deodorant. He works outdoors and perspires a lot in the warmer weather. His body odor is bad after working all day. That is to be expected except I cannot wash it out of his clothes and I notice an odor coming from him in the morning. He is 62 years old and had stints put in four years ago and is taking Metoprolol and Atorvastatin. We have tried different body washes and clothes detergents, vinegar, anything I can think of to eliminate this body odor. He doesn't have it after bathing. It is only after being in the heat. Could it be related to the medication he is taking??? He was not like this a few years ago and I just recently tied it to the medication. Thank you for your help. I would like to add he takes fish oil, heart vitamins, extra vitamin C and a protrate supplement as well.
Brief Answer:
Bromhydrosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
Your husband seems to be suffering from Bromhidrosis.
It is caused by an overgrowth of bacterial colony residing in the skin especially over armpits and groin which is responsible for this bad odor.
Among the medications and supplements that you have mentioned, fish oil can definitely worsen bad body odour. The other medications have no such reported adverse effect profile.
A few steps to reduce this problem are as follows-
1. Application 1% fusidic acid cream over axilla and groin twice a day for 2 weeks.
2. A course of Oral antibiotic like Roxithromycin also will help but you need a prescription for it.
3. Shaving of under arm hair once will accelerate curing time.
4.Using a deo spray containing anti perspirant like aluminium chloride. ( You can check in the list of ingredients).
5. Using an antibacterial soap containing Triclosan on a regular basis.
6. Stop fish oil capsules. Also reduce onions and garlic from the diet as these are excreted in sweat and can contribute to bad body odour.
Bromhidrosis could be a recurring problem. The deospray, soap and dietary restrictions could help in preventing further recurrences. However, topical fusidic acid cream may have to be repeated now and then.
Hope this helps you.
Wishing you good health,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Bromhydrosis
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome to healthcare magic.
Your husband seems to be suffering from Bromhidrosis.
It is caused by an overgrowth of bacterial colony residing in the skin especially over armpits and groin which is responsible for this bad odor.
Among the medications and supplements that you have mentioned, fish oil can definitely worsen bad body odour. The other medications have no such reported adverse effect profile.
A few steps to reduce this problem are as follows-
1. Application 1% fusidic acid cream over axilla and groin twice a day for 2 weeks.
2. A course of Oral antibiotic like Roxithromycin also will help but you need a prescription for it.
3. Shaving of under arm hair once will accelerate curing time.
4.Using a deo spray containing anti perspirant like aluminium chloride. ( You can check in the list of ingredients).
5. Using an antibacterial soap containing Triclosan on a regular basis.
6. Stop fish oil capsules. Also reduce onions and garlic from the diet as these are excreted in sweat and can contribute to bad body odour.
Bromhidrosis could be a recurring problem. The deospray, soap and dietary restrictions could help in preventing further recurrences. However, topical fusidic acid cream may have to be repeated now and then.
Hope this helps you.
Wishing you good health,
Dr. Johny Chacko
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
