Sorry for My Scent

Understanding, Coping With, and Conquering Body Odour

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For something so deeply human and universal, body odour remains an uncomfortable subject, one that is often whispered about or dealt with discreetly. Most people experience it to some degree, yet few openly discuss it. Despite this silence, body odour, scientifically referred to as bromhidrosis, is a topic worth exploring, not only because it is a natural byproduct of the human body but also because it can sometimes signal underlying health issues, affect social dynamics, and impact mental well-being. Understanding what causes body odour, the potential problems it can create, and how it can be managed offers a compassionate and empowering way forward for those affected by it.

WHAT CAUSES BODY ODOUR?

Body odour is what you smell when your sweat comes in contact with the bacteria on your skin. Sweating is the secretion of fluids by sweat glands onto your skin's surface. Human beings have two main types of sweat glands: eccrine and apocrine glands. Eccrine glands are found all over the body and produce a watery sweat that helps regulate body temperature. They secrete sweat directly onto the surface of your skin. Apocrine glands, on the other hand, are concentrated in areas such as the armpits, groin, and around the nipples. They open up into your hair follicles. These glands become active during puberty and secrete a thicker, milkier type of sweat that is rich in proteins and lipids. The sweat produced by these glands can smell when it comes in contact with bacteria on your skin.

Interestingly, sweat itself is virtually odourless. The characteristic scent we associate with body odour is not due to the sweat directly, but due to the bacteria that live naturally on the skin. When sweat from apocrine glands mixes with these bacteria, particularly Corynebacterium and certain species of