Excessive sweating and smelly armpits

Fresh sweat is not usually strongly smelly. Odour develops when bacteria on the skin break down sweat and other substances, especially in a warm, enclosed underarm. Clothing can hold moisture and odour close to the skin. Changes in washing products, hair removal, medicines, diet, skin irritation or a skin infection may alter the smell. The symptom does not by itself identify one condition.

Wash the underarms gently, rinse well and dry before dressing. Apply an antiperspirant to dry skin according to its label; deodorant reduces odour but does not reduce sweat. Wear breathable clothing, change damp tops and wash garments promptly. Avoid scrubbing hard or applying fragranced products to irritated skin. If control remains poor, a clinician can discuss options such as Botox For Sweating, iontophoresis or microwave sweat gland treatment, depending on the areas involved.

Arrange a review if odour changes suddenly, persists despite good hygiene, affects your confidence or comes with a rash, pain, lumps, drainage or broken skin. Seek urgent help for heavy sweating with chest pain, fainting, confusion, severe weakness or heat illness symptoms. Excessive Sweating explains the wider symptom pattern.

Could this be irritation or infection rather than sweat alone? Which antiperspirant suits my skin? Would a treatment for excessive sweating help, and how should I manage recurrent underarm rash?