Acidic body odour: what it can mean

Heat, exercise, stress, occlusive clothing and heavy sweating can make the smell more noticeable. Diet, medicines, skin infection and changes in general health can also alter a person's usual odour.

Fresh sweat itself has little scent. Odour develops when bacteria on warm, moist areas such as the underarms and groin process substances in sweat and skin secretions. The resulting smell varies between people and does not identify a specific illness on its own.

A sudden change deserves context: note where it occurs, whether sweating has increased, and whether there is rash, pain, discharge, fever, weight change, thirst or a newly started medicine.

Wash sweaty areas gently and dry them thoroughly, change damp clothes, and choose breathable fabrics. An antiperspirant reduces sweat, whereas a deodorant mainly masks or limits odour. Apply antiperspirant to dry, unbroken skin according to its label.

Avoid harsh acids, repeated scrubbing and fragranced products if the skin is sore. Keep a short record of food, medicines, activity and sweating when the change is persistent; patterns can help a clinician decide whether skin care, prescription antiperspirant or investigation is appropriate.

Arrange a medical review for a new odour that persists despite washing and clean clothing, or sweating that disrupts sleep or daily activities. A painful lump, spreading redness, pus, open skin or fever may indicate infection and needs prompt care.

Seek urgent help if the odour change occurs with confusion, vomiting, deep or difficult breathing, severe weakness or marked dehydration. These accompanying symptoms, rather than the smell alone, determine urgency.

Ask whether excess sweating, a skin condition, infection or a medicine could explain the change. Mention when it began, affected body areas, associated symptoms and products already tried. If sweating is prominent, ask about prescription antiperspirant and other targeted options.