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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Paul Speed & Benedict Tetzlaff-Deas

Body odour could be sign of life-threatening illness - when to see your doctor

No matter who you are, everyone has a smell that is unique and their own - just like a fingerprint.

But sudden and persistent changes in your body odour can sometimes be signs of an underlying health condition, and experts say the very worst thing you can do when you notice a new smell is to ignore it.

Lead pharmacist from digital pharmacy Medino Giulia Guerrini says: "You owe it to yourself (and the people around you!) to identify the cause as quickly as possible and get the proper treatment".

While many of the reasons behind different body smells are harmless, it's a good idea to be aware of what the potential health causes can be.

Here we look at some of the causes of bad body odour.

Experts say it's important to investigate new body smells as 'quickly as possible and get the proper treatment' (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Being overweight

You are more likely to have bad body odour if you're overweight or obese, says GP Dr Sophie Newton.

This is because excess fat creates folds in your skin, which can be a breeding ground for bacteria.

Not only can it contribute to a worsening in body odour, a study has shown that people who are obese have a reduced ability to detect and identify smell compared with those who are slimmer.

Diabetes

Rising numbers of people in the UK have diabetes, a condition in which the body struggles to maintain blood glucose levels.

While some of these suffer from typically genetic Type 1 diabetes, a whopping 90% of those affected have Type 2 diabetes, which is usually the result of a sedentary lifestyle and bad diet.

Diabetes UK says 4.3million people have been diagnosed with one of the two types, while an estimated 850,000 may still be unaware that they even have the condition.

A change in body odour for someone with the condition could be a sign of potentially deadly Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which can produce a 'fruity' smell.

An unusual fruity smell could be a sign of undiagnosed diabetes (Getty Images)

If you have DKA, then the body cannot use sugar for energy, so begins to burn up fat instead - something which can cause your blood to turn acidic and your body odour 'sweet'.

The main symptoms of diabetes include weight loss, urinating more frequently than usual, especially at night, feeling tired and blurred vision.

Itching around the penis or vagina, or frequent episodes of thrush are other common symptoms.

Kidney failure

Kidney failure is a long-term condition that sees the vital organ struggle to filter waste products from the blood.

When this doesn't happen the body can be overcome by toxins, which can be life-threatening.

Dr Newton says people with the condition may develop an ammonia-like body smell because of this build-up of toxins.

Serious problems with the liver or kidneys can also contribute to bad smells (Getty Images/iStockphoto)

Liver disease

People with serious liver disease can have breath that smells musty or like garlic and rotten eggs, according to the US National Institute of Health.

When the liver stops working properly, numerous toxins and contaminants get built up in the urine, sweat and breath, says Dr Newton.

These can then be released through your sweat glands, creating a strong bleach-like smell.

The disease can cause cirrhosis or scarring of the liver as it progresses, and can eventually lead to liver failure or liver cancer.

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