Struggling with persistent body odor, even with good hygiene? You might be dealing with bromhidrosis, a condition where sweat mixes with bacteria on the skin, creating an unpleasant smell. Unlike regular body odor, bromhidrosis is stronger, long-lasting, and often hard to control with basic deodorants.
The good news? There are effective ways to manage and treat it, from simple lifestyle changes to advanced medical solutions. In this guide, we’ll break down the causes, symptoms, and best treatment options—so you can feel fresher and more confident every day.
Bromhidrosis is a medical condition characterized by an abnormally offensive body odor (B. O) that often reminds of onions or sulfur. It smells bad because sweat and skin bacteria are interacting, especially when sweat has a lot of lipids and proteins in it.
The smell of bromhidrosis can change based on what you eat, how clean you are, and the bacteria on your skin. However, it’s generally described as:
The smell’s strength and personality depend on each person’s body chemistry and hygiene habits, so some may smell something milder while others have a hard time with a stronger smell.
Apocrine bromhidrosis is the most common type of bromhidrosis and is linked to sweat from the apocrine glands. These sweat glands are located in the armpits and genital area, becoming active during puberty.
Unlike the watery sweat from eccrine glands (which help regulate body temperature), apocrine sweat is thicker and contains proteins and lipids. On its own, this sweat doesn’t smell—but when bacteria on the skin break it down, it can create a strong, persistent odor.
In other words, when you have apocrine bromhidrosis, B.O. is the byproduct of lipid-rich sweat mixing with skin bacteria. When these two come together, they produce thioalcohols—compounds that smell like sulfur, onions or raw meat.
So, if your armpit sweat smells like onions, cheese or garlic, it may be a sign of apocrine bromhidrosis.
Eccrine bromhidrosis is the rarer form of bromhidrosis. Eccrine sweat glands are found all over the body, including the palms and soles, as well as the head or torso. Unlike apocrine sweat (which is thick and protein-rich), eccrine sweat is mostly water and salt, so it doesn’t naturally have a strong smell.
However, when it mixes with bacteria, environmental factors, or metabolic waste, it can develop an unpleasant odor. It happens when sweat from your eccrine glands softens the keratin on your skin. The softer the keratin is, the easier it is for bacteria to break down. This break-down process produces a stenchy odor, such as:
Eccrine bromhidrosis is often easier to manage than apocrine bromhidrosis, but if odor persists despite good hygiene, it may be worth seeing a doctor to rule out underlying health issues.
While everyone produces sweat, not everyone experiences bromhidrosis—certain factors make some people more prone to it. We’ve already covered the differences between apocrine and eccrine sweat, so let’s focus on what else can contribute to this condition.
Chronic B.O. can run in the family. Studies show that there is a strong correlation between the ABCC11 gene and bromhidrosis. This same gene is present in individuals with wet ear wax. So, believe it or not, if you have wet ear wax, you’re more likely to have bromhidrosis.
Excess fat creates skin folds, and these warm, dark crevices are the perfect environment for sweat and bacteria to mix and produce an odor. Because these areas can be challenging to clean, you may neglect them when you bathe or shower. Failing to cleanse and exfoliate these areas allows bacteria and sweat to fester and create a pervasive odor.
Sometimes, bromhidrosis can be mistaken for a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis, which can occur if you have untreated diabetes. When you have diabetes, your body doesn’t produce enough insulin to regulate your metabolism. As a result, you start to break down fat which causes acids to build up in your bloodstream. This process can result in B.O. and bad breath.
Intertrigo is a rash caused by trapped moisture and sweat. Although the most common form of intertrigo is infant diaper rash, adults can also get it from lack of air circulation to their skin.
When intertrigo goes untreated, bacteria thrive in moist, friction-prone areas which can lead to chronic B.O.
Erythrasma is a bacterial infection caused by humid, tropical climates that manifests as a pink skin rash. The bacteria that causes this rash, Corynebacterium, naturally occurs on your skin. It’s also one of the bacteria that exists in excess for those with chronic B.O.
Bacteria and sweat are key components of bromhidrosis. So, if you suffer from hyperhidrosis or excessive sweating, you’re more likely to have chronic B.O. as well. If you think sweat or hyperhidrosis is contributing to your bromhidrosis, it’s best to treat hyperhidrosis first to reduce the sweat that’s affecting your B.O. issue.
What you eat can influence how your sweat smells. Certain foods contain sulfuric or pungent compounds that can make B.O. worse, including:
Certain medications can also contribute to bromhidrosis by increasing sweat production, altering metabolism, or affecting the body’s chemical balance. Common culprits include:
If you notice a change in B.O. after starting a medication, talk to your doctor about possible alternatives. Good hygiene and moisture-wicking fabrics can help manage symptoms.
Have you ever noticed your sweat having an odd soup-like aroma? This surprising body odor can be bewildering and embarrassing. But what causes sweat to smell like chicken noodle soup?
What Causes Sweat To Smell?
Sweat itself is odorless. It’s the bacteria on your skin that causes sweat to smell. Sweat provides a moist, protein-rich environment that allows bacteria to thrive and produce pungent odors as they metabolize and multiply.
A bacteria called Staphylococcus hominis is the main cause of smelly sweat. This microbe eats the amino acids in sweat and releases thioalcohols, which are sulfur compounds that give sweat its smell.
Certain foods health conditions and medications can affect the smell of your sweat by changing the chemical composition of the sweat or the types of bacteria on your skin.
Why Might Sweat Smell Like Soup?
This acid is likely what makes sweat smell like soup or broth. This smelly stuff can also make your feet smell like cheese.
Isovaleric acid is produced when Staphylococcus hominis bacteria feed on certain amino acids and proteins. These include:
- Leucine – Found in soy, chicken, beef, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts and seeds
- Isoleucine – Found in soy, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy, lentils, beans
- Valine – Found in soy, chicken, fish, eggs, dairy, nuts, mushrooms
Eating a lot of these foods that are high in amino acids can give bacteria that make isovaleric acid more “fuel.” It’s likely this that made you smell like chicken soup after a high-protein meal.
Other factors that can increase isovaleric acid production include:
- High stress levels – Stress sweat contains more nutrients for odor-causing bacteria
- Hot weather – Sweating more leads to more bacterial growth
- Puberty – Hormonal changes increase sweat production
- Menopause – Declining estrogen reduces body odor control
Other Causes of Soup-Scented Sweat
While isovaleric acid is the most likely culprit, a few other factors could also contribute to sweat that smells like chicken noodle soup:
Metabolic disorders – Conditions like diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease can cause the body to excrete waste products through sweat that have a yeasty or brothy smell.
Garlic, curry, and fenugreek are some of the foods that can get into sweat and bodily fluids and give them a soup-like smell.
Products applied to the skin – Lotions, soaps, and deodorants containing soup-inspired fragrances can mingle with your body’s natural odors.
Infections – Bacterial and fungal infections, especially in moist folds of the body, can produce a stewed odor in sweat. Yeast infections are a common example.
Genetics – A small percentage of people have genetic conditions that affect body odor. For example, the rare metabolic disorder trimethylaminuria causes sweat to smell like rotting fish, eggs, or garbage.
Managing Soup-Scented Sweat
While not usually a serious medical concern, having sweat that smells like chicken noodle soup can be awkward and frustrating. Here are some tips to help reduce that savory scent:
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Avoid problem foods – Cut back on soy, eggs, chicken, fish, and other high protein foods that contain odor-causing amino acids.
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Use antibacterial products – Look for antiperspirants and cleansers containing antibacterial ingredients like triclosan.
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Apply acids – Wipe problem areas with gentle acids like salicylic acid to inhibit bacteria growth.
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Try probiotics – Eating probiotic foods can balance your skin’s bacteria and reduce odor.
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Freshen up – Change clothes, shower, apply deodorant, and use unscented baby wipes to remove odor-causing bacteria after sweating heavily.
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See a doctor – If no measures help the smell, see your doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
While having soup-scented sweat can be unsettling, in most cases it is just an annoying quirk and not indicative of any serious health issues. Pay attention to lifestyle factors like your diet, hygiene, and stress levels, and take steps to keep odor-causing bacteria in check. With some experimentation, you should be able to bid farewell to sweat that smells like chicken noodle soup.
Medical Treatments for Severe Cases
If lifestyle changes and over-the-counter solutions aren’t enough to control bromhidrosis, medical treatments can offer long-term relief. These choices either deal with bacteria (to stop bacteria from turning sweat into smelly compounds) or sweat production (to get rid of the source of the smell).
- Oral or topical antibiotics: Topical antibiotics kill bacteria on the skin that cause smells before they can break down and release a bad smell. Two common topical antibiotics for bromhidrosis are clindamycin and erythromycin. In more serious cases where topical solutions don’t work, antibiotics taken by mouth are used.
- For people who want a longer-term solution, laser and microwave therapy work by stopping sweat glands in certain areas from working ever again.
- Surgery is a last resort for severe cases of bromhidrosis that don’t improve with other treatments. Liposuction, curettage of sweat glands, or sympathectomy (nerve-cutting surgery) may be considered. Both procedures are very invasive and could have very bad long-term effects. Don’t look into this option until you’ve tried all other non-invasive treatments.
Common Signs & Symptoms of Bromhidrosis
If you’re wondering why you smell like onions or cheese, there’s a good chance you have bromhidrosis. Most of the time, you can detect bromhidrosis from its distinct scent. Common symptoms of this condition include:
- Constant (but not overpowering) B.O.
- B.O. within 30 minutes of showering or bathing
- The smell of cheese or meat coming from your armpits or groin
- A smell like garlic or onions coming from your breasts, underarms, or groin
- Social anxiety due to B.O.
Doctors can diagnose bromhidrosis by swabbing and testing the bacteria on your skin.
Excessive amounts of Corynebacterium, Propionibacterium, Staphylococcus and Micrococcus usually indicate chronic B.O. Staphylococcus is typically the strongest-smelling bacteria.
Being able to spot the signs of bromhidrosis is a helpful first step in overcoming chronic B. O. But to solve the problem, you also need to understand the underlying cause of your condition.
There are a few clear signs and symptoms that make it easy to tell if someone has bromhidrosis, whether it is caused by the apocrine or eccrine glands. While B. O. bromhidrosis is an unpleasant smell that won’t go away, usually stronger than usual. This is something that most people experience from time to time. Here’s what to look out for:
The most noticeable symptom of bromhidrosis is a strong, persistent B.O. that doesn’t improve with regular hygiene practices like showering and using deodorant. This odor is often described as musky, sour, or even ammonia-like, depending on the type of bromhidrosis (apocrine or eccrine).
DERMATOLOGISTS ELIMINATE BODY ODOR
FAQ
Why do armpits smell like chicken soup?
Diet: What a person eats can significantly impact their body odor. Foods rich in certain compounds, such as garlic, onions, or spices, can alter the scent of sweat. A diet that includes chicken or soup ingredients might contribute to an odor resembling chicken noodle soup.
Why do I smell like chicken broth down there?
People with lupus often notice unusual urine smells like chicken broth, ammonia, or fruity odors. Lupus nephritis affects almost half of adults with lupus and can make it harder for the kidneys to filter waste properly. The smell of your urine can be a sign of serious health problems.
Why does down there smell like chicken soup?
A sulfury, chicken-like odor is also linked to sweat’s interaction with skin bacteria. This may be more noticeable after sex because you’ve just got hot and sweaty.
Why does my sweat smell like stew?
The foods you eat can change what you smell like when you sweat. Foods like garlic, onions, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, red meat and alcohol may affect the smell of body odor. So can medications and supplements you take.
Why do foods smell like sweat?
Sweat can pick up the smells of the foods you eat, mostly because of the volatiles that are released when you digest food. When you eat foods with strong aromas, such as garlic or onions, compounds can be absorbed into your bloodstream. As your body metabolizes these foods, byproducts can be released through your sweat glands, leading to a distinct smell.
Why does my body smell like sweat?
Body odor is related to secretions from your sweat glands. When sweat is released from your glands, it’s colorless and odorless. But when bacteria on your body break down dried sweat, a strong smell can result. Bromhidrosis is foul-smelling body odor related to your sweat. Perspiration itself actually has no odor.
Is it normal for sweat to smell like food?
Yes, it is quite normal for sweat to sometimes carry the scent of the food you consume. The body processes various foods differently, and some will leave a stronger imprint in your sweat than others. Foods such as garlic, curry, and spices can significantly impact your body odor due to their strong-smelling compounds.
What foods affect sweat smell?
Here are a few examples of common foods that can influence sweat aroma: Both garlic and onions contain compounds known as sulfides. When metabolized, these compounds can produce strong-smelling substances that make their way to your sweat. This can result in an intense, pungent odor.
Why does my sweat smell like red meat?
Eating a lot of red meat can also impact the smell of your sweat. The high protein content requires extensive metabolic processing. By-products of this breakdown may be released through sweat, leading to a more distinct and sometimes musky odor. Another factor that can influence how your sweat smells is your hydration levels.
Why does my sweat smell like garlic or onions?
If you think your sweat smells like onions or garlic, it could be because of the curry you had last night. A study published in January 2015 in Microbiome found that some people also have bacteria in their pits that can make their sweat smell like fresh onions.