The Complete Guide to Your Smells and What They Mean

What it is: A strong, unpleasant smell that comes from your sweat.

What it means: BO is caused by bacteria breaking down the sweat on your skin. Everyone has BO, but it can be more noticeable in some people than others. Factors that can affect BO include:

* Genetics

* Diet

* Exercise

* Hygiene

* Medical conditions

What you can do about it: The best way to prevent BO is to wash your body regularly with soap and water. You can also use deodorant or antiperspirant to help control odor and sweating. If you have excessive BO, you may need to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

Bad Breath

What it is: An unpleasant smell that comes from your mouth.

What it means: Bad breath can be caused by a number of things, including:

* Poor oral hygiene

* Gum disease

* Tooth decay

* Dry mouth

* Sinus infections

* Tonsillitis

* Certain foods

What you can do about it: The best way to prevent bad breath is to practice good oral hygiene, which includes brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing daily, and seeing your dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings. You can also avoid foods that are known to cause bad breath, such as garlic, onions, and coffee. If you have chronic bad breath, you may need to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

Ear Odor

What it is: A foul-smelling discharge from your ears.

What it means: Ear odor can be caused by a number of things, including:

* Ear infection

* Otitis externa (swimmer's ear)

* Eczema

* Psoriasis

* A foreign object in the ear

What you can do about it: If you have ear odor, it's important to see a doctor to find out the cause. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause.

Foot Odor

What it is: A strong, unpleasant smell that comes from your feet.

What it means: Foot odor is caused by sweat and bacteria breaking down the dead skin cells on your feet. This can be especially noticeable if you wear shoes that don't allow your feet to breathe.

What you can do about it: To prevent foot odor, wash your feet every day with soap and water. You can also use antifungal powder to help keep your feet dry. If you have excessive foot odor, you may need to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.

Genital Odor

What it is: A strong, unpleasant smell that comes from your genitals.

What it means: Genital odor can be caused by a number of things, including:

* Poor hygiene

* Bacterial infections

* Yeast infections

* Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)

* Medical conditions

What you can do about it: If you have genital odor, it's important to see a doctor to find out the cause. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause.

Underarm Odor

What it is: A strong, unpleasant smell that comes from your armpits.

What it means: Armpit odor is caused by sweat and bacteria breaking down the dead skin cells on your armpits. It can be more noticeable in people who:

* Sweat a lot

* Are overweight or obese

* Have certain medical conditions

What you can do about it: The best way to prevent underarm odor is to wash your armpits every day with soap and water. You can also use deodorant or antiperspirant to help control odor and sweating. If you have excessive underarm odor, you may need to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.