What could be causing a foul odor in one bathroom but nowhere else in the house?

Abnormal body odor is a matter of considerable concern for the sufferers and, perhaps, to others around them as well. The general surface of the body, hair, feet, groin, perineum and breath all contribute to the general odor of the body, but, it is the smell emanating from the armpits which produces the most powerful odor. There are many causes for the normal and abnormal body odors.

The normal body odor, especially after puberty, originates from the specialized sweat glands in the armpits known as apocrine glands. These glands, which secrete a fatty sweat, are a suitable ground for the normal resident bacteria of the body to multiply and breakdown the fats in the skin to cause the typical odors in adults. These glands are also present, though in lesser numbers and sizes, in the groin, the perianal skin, umbilicus, and breast.

To a lesser extend, the normal sweat, sebum, hair, nails and the keratin, the protein present in skin cells, also contribute to the overall body odor. Malodorous or offensive sweating, also known as bromhidrosis or osmidrosis, is the main culprit for abnormal odors of the body. Apocrine bromhidrosis from the armpits.

The action of normal bacterial flora in the underarms, especially the aerobic diphtheroids and micrococci, on the fats and small quantities of androgenic steroids secreted in the apocrine sweat, results in the formation of ammonia, short chain fatty acids and sterols. These are responsible for the musky or the urine like odor of the adult underarm sweat. Increased sweating or hyperhidrosis, whether it is axillary hyperhidrosis, palmoplantar hyperhidrosis or generalized sweating, can cause maceration and bacterial multiplication in areas like the feet, groin, perineum, underarm, and in between the toes and feet and cause abnormal body odor.

Obesity, diabetes and certain drugs increase the chances of smelly sweat. Sweat can also become malodorous due to ingestion of certain food items like garlic, onion, fish, mutton (especially sheep) and spices. Alcohol, certain medications, and smoking contribute to the multitude of foul smells emanating from the body surface.

The sweaty odors are more prominent during hot weather. Certain hormones contained in cow’s milk are thought to produce special body odor in children. Metabolic and Hereditary Diseases.

In children, especially, a variety of genetic and metabolic diseases like aminoaciduria can cause special odors in the body. High levels and low levels of testosterone in males and low levels of estrogens in menopause in females produce different odors in the body. Body odor is also altered in other endocrinological abnormalities, including hyper or hypothyroidism.

Some diseases have their own distinctive odors, like diphtheria, diabetes, scurvy, yellow fever, typhoid, metabolic acidosis etc. Patients with renal and liver failure also emanate special body odors. Bacterial infections of the throat, sinuses, teeth and gum infections, urinary incontinence, bacterial and fungal skin infections of the scalp, hair, nails and skin contribute to the malodorous sweat. Foul smelling breath due to diseases like diabetes, infections in the throat and mouth, sinuses and the respiratory tract is a major contributor to abnormal body odor.

In children, foreign bodies remaining undetected inside the nasal cavity have been shown to produce a putrid body odor. In children above the age of 7 years, sudden onset of strong body odor may herald premature onset of the puberty. Imaginary bromhidrosis, caused by psychological disturbances like delusions and phobias have to be ruled out, if the body odor is not evident to others around the individual.

Delusions of bromhidrosis could be a symptom of underlying schizophrenia or paranoia. Sometimes, tumors in the brain, especially the temporal lobe, can induce olfactory hallucinations, prompting the patient to complain of unpleasant body odor. Thus finding the exact cause of is of paramount importance in planning effective treatments or body odor remedies.

The information given in this article is for educational purpose only so that patients are aware of the options available. No diagnosis should be made or treatment undertaken without first consulting your doctor.