IT'S true that everyone smells – but some people's sweat can smell a lot worse than others.
When you skip showering for a couple days, it can lead to your body releasing potentially unpleasant odour.
And in some cases, bad body odour (BO) can be an indication of an underlying health issues.
GP Doctor Sophie Newton explains what BO really is, what your scent could be telling you about your health and how to combat it.
What is body odour?
Dr Sophie says: "Body odour is an unpleasant smell caused by bacteria on your skin breaking down sweat into acids, usually starting in puberty with rising hormones called androgens.
"The sweat itself doesn't smell and has an important job of helping regulate temperature, but bacteria can use it as a breeding ground and that's when the odour is formed."
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What could bad body odour be a sign of?
1. Being overweight
According to Dr Sophie people who are overweight are "more likely" to have bad BO.
People who overweight or obese may have folds in their skin, which are breeding grounds for bacteria.
A previous study also found that people who are overweight are more likely to have a poor sense of smell, compared to slimmer people.
This suggests people who are bigger are less likely to be able to notice when they smell bad.
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2. Diabetes
"Those who have diabetes can have BO which can sometimes give off a more fruity smell," Dr Sophie explains.
If you have diabetes, a change in body odour could be a sign of diabetes-related ketoacidosis.
Diabetic ketoacidosis, also known as DKA, is when there is severe lack of insulin in the body.
This means the body can’t use sugar for energy, and starts to use fat instead.
High ketone levels cause your blood to become acidic and your body odour to be sweet.
3. Liver disease
People who have liver disease can give off a bad smell, Dr Sophie says.
Sufferers can experience excessive sweating and a foul-smelling odour that’s been likened to rotten egg.
4. Kidney disease
People who have advanced chronic kidney disease may have body odour that resembles ammonia.
This is due to a toxin build up in the body.
How to combat bad body odour
"Bath or shower daily with soap or a soap substitute to kill off the excess bacteria on the skin," Dr Sophie explains.
She also suggests using an antiperspirant, rather than just a deodorant which just masks the smell.
"Antiperspirant actually reduces excess sweating," she says.
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"Wear clean, natural fibres which allow your skin to breathe and limit spicy foods which can make your sweat smell.
"If regular antiperspirants aren't sufficient, then speak to your pharmacy about trying 20 per cent aluminium chloride hexahydrate roll-ons and sprays," she adds.
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