How to Tell If You Have Body Odor

Co-authored by Ritu Thakur, MA and Hannah Madden

Last Updated: June 22, 2024 Fact Checked

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You probably notice when someone next to you has body odor—but how can you smell yourself? It’s tough to get a read on your own personal smell, simply because you experience it every day. Fortunately, there are tried and true methods you can use to give yourself a whiff and discover B.O. In this article, we’ll tell you exactly how to gauge your own body odor as well as ways to combat it if you have it.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Checking for Smells

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1
Smell your armpits, feet, and groin area. These parts of your body are usually the most pungent, so you may be able to smell them more than the rest of your body.^{[1]
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Trustworthy Source

Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} If you think you have body odor but you’re not sure, take a whiff of your underarms, your feet, and your genitals. If you smell something, then chances are, you probably have B.O.
- Try doing a sniff test toward the end of the day, or whenever you feel the sweatiest. People usually start to experience body odor after their deodorant has worn off, which can take a few hours.
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Sniff your clothes at the end of the day. Sweat tends to soak into clothing, especially your underwear, your bra, or your T-shirt.^{[2]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} Toward the end of the day, give your clothing a sniff. If it smells pungent or musty, it’s likely that you’ve got some body odor.
- If you want to test your feet for odor, try taking a whiff of your socks or shoes.
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Reset your sense of smell with coffee. It can be tough to smell your own odor, simply because you smell yourself all day, every day. Coffee beans can be used as a “reset” to your olfactory system.^{[3]
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Research source} Fill a small cup up with coffee beans, then inhale the scent for about 30 seconds. Then, try smelling yourself again—you might just notice a difference!
- You can do the same thing with charcoal, too.
4
Check your breath. Breathe out sharply through your mouth and into your cupped palm so that the gust is redirected to your nose. Smell your breath as it bounces back toward you. This can usually help clue you in as to whether your oral hygiene might be a source of unwanted body odor.^{[4]
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Cleveland Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source}
- Keep a pack of sugar-free chewing gum or mints handy to freshen bad breath.
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Ask a close friend to smell you. A loved one will be able to give their opinion on your body odor. Talk to a close friend, a relative, or your partner, and ask them if they’ve noticed your body odor lately. If they have, don’t take it personally—just use it as a guide to combat your body odor in the future.^{[5]
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Research source} Try saying something like,
- “Hey, I know this is a little awkward, but have you noticed that I smell like B.O. lately? It’s hard to smell myself, and I’m trying to get a read on my sweat and smell levels.”
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Talk to a doctor. If you think you might have excessive body odor or you’ve noticed a change in your body odor, make an appointment with your doctor. Doctors are trained professionals, so they won’t be embarrassed to talk about sweat or B.O. Plus, they might be able to tell you where your body odor is coming from and how best you can combat it.^{[6]
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Research source}
- Body odor can sometimes be caused by skin infections or fungus. If you think your body odor is being caused by an underlying condition, talk to your doctor right away.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Dealing with Body Odor

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Shower twice a day. Showering is the best way to get rid of body odor and wash sweat down the drain. Use soap or body wash, and focus on areas that get the sweatiest, like your armpits, groin, and feet.^{[7]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK

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- Showering twice a day might seem excessive, but if you sweat a lot, it can really help cut down on bad B.O.
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Wear an antiperspirant + deodorant combo every day. Antiperspirants are a little different from deodorants—while deodorants only mask the smell of B.O., antiperspirants actually cause you to sweat less.^{[8]
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Trustworthy Source

National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK

Go to source} Try swiping on an antiperspirant + deodorant combo every day before you leave the house to combat sweat and odors.
- You can also talk to your doctor about prescription antiperspirants, since they’re stronger than the ones you can get over the counter.
- Keep your antiperspirant on you throughout the day to reapply as needed.
- If you want to go the natural route, try making your own deodorant at home! All you need is 4 tbsp of coconut oil, 3 tbsp of cornstarch and 1,5 tbsp of baking soda. Mix everything in a jar and add 25 drops of your favorite essential oil. This all-natural deodorant can be stored for up to 3 months.
Try not to wear your clothes 2 days in a row, especially if it’s warm out. Sweat soaks into fabric, and that shirt you wore yesterday might smell like sweat even if you’re perfectly clean. Stay on top of your laundry and change your socks and underwear daily.^{[9]
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Research source}
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Dress in sweat-wicking fabrics. Cotton, wool, and silk are the best for wicking away sweat and odor. During the warmer months, try to dress in loose, flowy clothing that won’t trap sweat.^{[10]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK

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- You can also look for fabrics that are labeled as “moisture-wicking.” These are great for evaporating sweat, and they’re usually pretty comfortable to work out in, too.
Hair tends to trap in sweat and smells. If you’re comfortable doing it, shave your armpits regularly to keep hair at bay. You’ll notice that the smoother and more hair-free your armpits are, the better they smell.^{[11]
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National Health Service (UK)
Public healthcare system of the UK

Go to source}
6
Brush and floss your teeth every day. Bad breath is a prime contributor to overall body odor. Be sure to brush your teeth twice a day (once in the morning and once at night), and floss your teeth every day to get rid of plaque and tartar. The cleaner your mouth is, the better your breath will smell all day.^{[12]
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Research source}
- Don’t forget to brush your tongue! Your tongue hangs onto bacteria which can create smells that lead to bad breath.
- In addition to regular brushing, schedule an appointment twice a year to have your teeth cleaned by a dentist.
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Avoid eating garlic and onions. These smelly foods can actually make your sweat smell worse.^{[13]
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Trustworthy Source

Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public

Go to source} Spicy foods might also contribute to bad sweat smell, so limit your intake of those as well.
- Be sure that you’re properly hydrated, as well. Water plays an important role in regulating healthy bodily functions.

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Warnings

Stubborn or severe body odor may be a symptom of a serious medical condition. If you’ve done all you can and your body odor still isn’t going away, see a doctor.^{[14]
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