Smelly affair: Science, stigma and art that characterises body odour

In the quiet choreography of daily life, morning commutes, packed lifts and long office meetings, there exists a deeply human reality that few are willing to confront openly: body odour. It is managed discreetly, softened with perfumes, neutralised with deodorants. When it becomes noticeable, it is politely ignored. Or worse, whispered about.

Yet beneath the social discomfort lies a far more layered story, one shaped by biology, environment and for some, an unspoken emotional toll. In warm, humid climates such as Kenya’s coast, where heat clings and sweat lingers, the subject becomes harder to sidestep.

But when does body odour shift from being a normal bodily function to something that quietly chips away at confidence and connection?

Roop Saini, a consultant dermatologist at Kenyatta National Hospital and honorary secretary of the Kenya Association of Dermatologists, unpacks where the line lies when everyday body odour stops being a natural occurrence and starts affecting self-esteem, social ease, and overall quality of life.

Contrary to popular belief, sweat itself is not the problem.

“Fresh sweat is largely odourless,” explains Dr Saini, “The smell develops when sweat interacts with bacteria and yeasts that naturally live on our skin.”

.

Keep Reading

• What your body's natural smell reveals about you

In simple terms, sweat provides the raw material, while bacteria break it down into smaller compounds that produce odour. Without those microorganisms, sweat alone would not smell.

The body relies on two types of sweat glands. Eccrine glands produce a watery sweat that helps regulate temperature and contributes little to odour. Apocrine glands, found in areas such as the armpits and groin, produce a thicker, protein-rich sweat. This is more easily broken down by bacteria, leading to stronger smells.

Certain areas of the body are more prone to odour: armpits, feet, the groin, under the breasts and within skin folds, simply because these areas are warm, moist and often covered, creating ideal conditions for bacterial growth.

Even the skin’s microbiome, the natural balance of bacteria, plays a role. Changes caused by illness, antibiotics, skincare products or environmental factors can shift this balance and alter how a person smells. 

For many, the issue goes beyond hygiene.

“People assume that stronger odour means poor cleanliness, but that is not always true,” Dr Saini says. “Genetics, hormone levels, how much someone sweats, their skin microbiome, diet and even their environment all play a role.”

Hormonal changes are particularly influential. Puberty marks a turning point, activating apocrine glands. Pregnancy, menopause and even menstrual cycles can subtly shift how the body produces sweat and in turn, odour.

Stress is another powerful trigger. It activates apocrine sweat glands, producing a type of sweat that bacteria break down more readily, often resulting in a sharper smell.

Diet, while not usually dramatic, can also have a relatively mild effect. Foods such as garlic, onions, spices and alcohol may alter body scent slightly through sweat and breath.

Climate matters too. Heat and humidity increase sweating and keep the skin moist, giving bacteria more opportunity to thrive.

For some, body odour moves beyond inconvenience into something far more disruptive.

John (not his real name) recalls how what seemed like a minor issue slowly unravelled his personal life.

“It started with small comments,” he says. “You brush them off. Then one day it becomes serious.”

According to a relative who witnessed the aftermath, the turning point came quietly.

“My uncle tried everything,” says his niece, Juanita. “Different soaps, perfumes, even changing his diet. But the smell didn’t go away. His wife eventually left and that’s when things really changed.”

What followed was a period of withdrawal and emotional strain.

“He stopped going out. He avoided family gatherings. It affected him deeply; he became withdrawn, almost depressed,” she adds. “He is currently struggling with the ordeal through acceptance, but I would say it has weighed him down.”  

Dermatologists note that while body odour is usually harmless, persistent or unusual changes can sometimes point to underlying conditions. These include fungal or yeast infections, bacterial infections, pitted keratolysis, erythrasma, infected eczema and Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

In such cases, the odour is often a sign of infection or inflammation that requires proper medical evaluation.

“If the odour is new, unusually strong or persists despite good hygiene, it is important to have it assessed,” Dr Saini says.

In workplaces, the issue often lingers in silence.

In one office setting, colleagues found themselves quietly adjusting to a situation no one wanted to address directly. Windows stayed open. Seating arrangements shifted. Meetings became shorter than necessary. Occasional murmurs, whispers and sidelong glances that hinted at a discomfort no one voiced aloud.

At one point, someone jokingly blamed the ventilation system. Another suggested, with theatrical seriousness, that the carpets were overdue for replacement; mind you, they were glued down.

Everyone noticed. No one said it.

It is a delicate balance between kindness and avoidance, one that often leaves the affected person unaware and the rest uncomfortable.

In response to odour, many people turn to aggressive hygiene: frequent washing, harsh soaps and heavy fragrances.

But this can sometimes make matters worse.

“Over-washing or using very strong soaps can disrupt the skin barrier and alter the natural microbiome,” Dr Saini explains, “When that balance is disturbed, it can worsen odour or even trigger skin conditions.”

Instead, consistent and simple practices are recommended: regular bathing, proper drying of the skin, especially in folds, wearing clean, breathable fabrics and changing underwear and socks daily. Washing after exercise is particularly important.

Deodorants and antiperspirants can help manage odour, while more persistent cases may require medical treatments such as prescription-strength antiperspirants, medicated washes, antifungal or antibacterial treatments and, in some cases, therapies targeting excessive sweating, including botulinum toxin.

Many people try to manage body odour on their own for long periods, often with limited success.

“If it persists despite good hygiene and over-the-counter products, or if it begins to affect confidence or quality of life, it is time to see a dermatologist,” Dr Saini advises.

Conditions such as bromhidrosis, characterised by strong, persistent odour, may require targeted treatment, including antibiotics in certain cases.

In clinical practice, such cases are not uncommon. Many patients seek help only after experiencing prolonged frustration or embarrassment.

Despite its biological roots, body odour carries a significant social burden.

“It is something people don’t talk about openly,” Amelia says. “But it affects how someone feels about themselves.”

The stigma often leads to silence, with many individuals delaying medical consultation due to embarrassment or fear of judgement.

Yet, as Dr Saini emphasises, body odour is not simply a matter of cleanliness. It is influenced by a complex interplay of biological and environmental factors.

At its core, body odour is a natural process, the result of sweat interacting with the skin’s normal bacteria.

It is generally considered normal when it occurs with sweating, improves with basic hygiene and does not interfere with daily life.

It becomes a concern when it is persistent, unusually strong, newly developed or associated with other symptoms such as rashes, infections or excessive sweating.

In those cases, seeking medical advice is not only appropriate but necessary.

“Body odour is nothing to feel ashamed of,” Dr Saini emphasises. “The goal is not to stop sweating altogether, but to maintain healthy, balanced skin. And when there is a problem, there are effective treatments available.”

Dr Saini encourages seeking medical advice and not suffering in silence, noting that effective, up-to-date treatments are available for managing troublesome body odour.

Perhaps the most important shift lies not in the body, but in the conversation.

A little more understanding. A little less judgement. And the recognition that sometimes, what is dismissed as a simple inconvenience may be something far more human, far more treatable.