[Local Medical]Pungent sour smell affects social life and body odor may be a health alarm
Text◆Yang Qianni Organized◆Liang Yingxiu
In addition to being caused by the development of sweat glands, dyshidrosis is also related to certain diseases. For example, diabetes or chronic renal failure can cause the body to metabolize unpleasant odors. The former is related to too much glucose in the blood, and the latter is related to the kidneys not functioning properly to remove waste products from the blood.
(Kuala Lumpur News) In fact, it is normal to have body odor after sweating. When body odor becomes noticeable, pungent or sour, and negatively affects social activities and quality of life, it may be bromhidrosis.
There are two types of sweat glands in the human body. One is the apocrine gland (also known as apocrine gland), which is mainly distributed in specific parts, such as armpits, genitals, or breasts. It usually becomes stronger after puberty.
The other is the eccrine gland, which is found almost all over the body, accounting for more than 90% of the sweat glands. It mainly secretes sweat and discharges metabolic waste from the body. Through the evaporation of sweat, it plays the role of perspiration, heat dissipation, and body temperature regulation.
Apocrine dyshidrosis, commonly known as body odor
Dr Yong Shin Shen, Consultant of Dermatology at UM Medical Center, pointed out that dyshidrosis is divided into apocrine dyshidrosis and eccrine dyshidrosis. The most common site of apocrine hyperhidrosis is the armpits, commonly known as body odor. The most common area affected by eccrine dyshidrosis is the feet.
“Does sweat itself smell? Let’s look at what sweat is made of,
Moisture accounts for about 98% to 99% of the total ingredients.
The remaining substances include sodium chloride, urea, ammonia and other salts.
The sweat emitted by the human body itself has no odor.
But when sweat and keratin are broken down by bacteria on the skin surface,
It will cause odor, which is body odor.
Therefore, body parts such as armpits, feet and groin, etc.
Since bacteria easily accumulate and there are more sweat glands,
Sweat is harder to evaporate and the smell is stronger.
The more common bacteria include Corynebacterium sp.,
Staphylococcus sp.
and Cutibacterium sp. “
In addition, body odor may also be caused by eating foods with strong odors, such as onions or garlic, or some drugs such as penicillin and heavy metals.
“Actually, everyone has their own body odor, even if they don’t sweat. However, body odor and body odor are two different things. It just means that some people have more bacteria growing on their bodies or take drugs. That’s why your own body odor is relatively strong, and outsiders will notice it.”
He said that most people are not aware that they have body odor. Usually, they are informed by their partners or family members that they have body odor, or some mothers find that their sons’ sweat smells particularly strong and suspect whether there is a health problem, so they come here. Seek medical advice.
Chronic diseases cause the body to metabolize odor
Everyone will have different body odor due to eating habits, gender, and physical health. Some chronic diseases, such as diabetes or chronic renal failure, can also cause the body to metabolize unpleasant odors. The former is related to too much glucose in the blood; the latter is related to the kidneys not functioning properly to remove waste products from the blood.
“In addition, there is a rare disease called phenylketonuria, which is an inherited metabolic defect. Patients will have symptoms such as skin albinoness, yellowing hair, and rat-smelling urine.
Then there is trimethylamineuria, formerly known as “stinky fish disease”. Patients are born with the inability to metabolize trimethylamine, causing trimethylamine to be emitted in breathing, urine, sweat and glandular secretions. the taste of. Trimethylamine is an amine that smells like rancid fish and is often found in egg yolks, beans and saltwater fish. “
Usually when a patient comes to report that they have a bad odor, the doctor will mainly check whether the patient is overweight and examine various parts of the body, such as abdominal fat folds or the lower body, to confirm whether there is mold growth. Some skin diseases such as fungal growth, erythrasma and axillary mucormycosis can cause body odor.
In addition, body odor is often related to excessive sweating, so it is necessary to diagnose whether the patient has hyperhidrosis and then treat it. If the patient’s sweating is normal and it is purely due to poor hygiene, Rong Xinxian will teach the patient how to take care of skin hygiene, change clothes and bathe frequently.
Using deodorant may cause dermatitis
He reminded that the causes of body odor are mainly related to sweat gland secretions and bacteria, so if you practice personal hygiene and keep clean every day, you should be fine. Shower gel with antibacterial properties can effectively reduce body odor caused by bacteria. Using antiperspirant and talcum powder can help absorb sweat, keep you dry, reduce the possibility of mold growth, and reduce odor. “If patients frequently use deodorant, they need to pay attention to whether it may cause dermatitis. After all, it contains many chemical ingredients.”
Generally, body odor will be reduced by cleaning and bathing. It’s just that the human body is secreting sweat 24 hours a day, and when it mixes with the bacteria on the skin, body odor may accumulate again. In most cases, as long as you keep your skin clean and dry, the odor will be reduced.
Fungus has entered the cuticle of the feet and foot odor may not necessarily be tinea pedis.
The so-called “athlete’s foot”, medically known as tinea pedis, is a fungal infection, mainly caused by fungi invading the cuticle of the skin on the feet.
Mold likes to grow in moist environments and is quite tenacious. As long as the environment is kept at a certain humidity, it can survive in dander or hair for months to years and become contagious. These molds secrete an enzyme that breaks down the stratum corneum of the skin, causing scaling of the skin on the feet.
Tinea pedis complicated by bacterial infection
The manifestations of tinea pedis are diverse. Common clinical manifestations include erythema between the toes (especially the last section between the fourth and fifth toes), scaling and itching, small blisters, abnormal thickening of keratosis on the heels and both sides of the feet, Peeling, etc. Causes of itching or blisters are easier to detect, but some patients may only have thickening of the skin on their feet and may therefore go unnoticed. In severe cases, tinea pedis can be complicated by bacterial infection and cause cellulitis.
Patient keeps feet dry
Although tinea pedis is often accompanied by foot odor, stinky feet does not necessarily mean that you have tinea pedis. For example, pitted keratolysis that occurs in the pressure areas of the feet can also cause unpleasant odors, but it It is caused by a bacterial infection and is usually found as many small, sunken holes on the soles of the feet.
All in all, if the feet smell bad, the doctor needs to observe the condition of the soles of the toes and the skin to find out the cause of the odor and then prescribe the right medicine. Treatment is usually with antibiotics or antifungal topical ointments. We usually advise patients to keep their feet dry and ventilated, such as wearing sweat-absorbent cotton socks, shoes made of breathable materials, and changing socks frequently.
Toe bacteria breeding ground
Question 1: Does excessive sweating increase the risk of infection?
Answer 1:It can be said that because some bacteria and mold like to grow in humid environments, especially since my country is a tropical country with a humid and warm climate, so you can pay more attention to personal hygiene. For example, tinea pedis usually occurs between the toes, and the toes are usually close together. We do not have the habit of opening the toes one by one and cleaning them when taking a bath.
Your feet usually sweat, and when you wear socks, the sweat is absorbed and stuffed in your shoes, which just provides a moist environment suitable for the growth of germs.