Diabetes
In people with diabetes, if the body lacks insulin or insulin does not work effectively, glucose cannot be converted into energy. At this point, the body must burn fat for energy, leading to the production of substances called ketones. The characteristic smell of ketones, especially acetone, is like fermented fruit or a chemical smell (like nail polish remover).
People with diabetes also have sweat that has a distinctive odor. In some people, when blood sugar levels are not controlled, the body excretes waste through sweat, which can create an unpleasant odor.
Metabolic disorder (Trimethylaminuria)
Trimethylaminuria is a genetic disorder in which the body cannot break down the compound trimethylamine (TMA). TMA is produced when the body digests foods rich in choline, such as fish, eggs, and nuts. Due to a deficiency of the enzyme flavin monooxygenase 3 (FMO3), TMA accumulates in the body and is excreted in sweat, urine, and breath. TMA has a fishy smell, like rotten fish, causing the body to emit an unpleasant odor.
Kidney disease
People with kidney disease often have impaired kidney function. When the kidneys do not function effectively, waste products such as urea, creatinine, and other toxins are not filtered out of the blood and excreted in the urine. These substances accumulate in the body and can be excreted through sweat or breath, causing an unpleasant odor.
People with kidney disease also have an ammonia smell from their sweat and breath. One of the main waste products is urea, which when accumulated in excess, breaks down into ammonia. As a result, ammonia has a characteristic pungent odor, which can be released through the breath causing an ammonia or metallic odor, and sweat causing the skin to emit an ammonia smell.
Infection or inflammation
Infections or inflammation can cause the body to emit an unpleasant odor due to the overgrowth of bacteria, fungi or pathogenic microorganisms. The main cause is bacteria breaking down sweat, dead skin cells or body fluids, creating compounds with unpleasant odors such as: Isovaleric acid creates a strong odor, sulfur compounds cause rotten egg or fishy odor. Common locations are in moist areas such as armpits, private areas, feet or areas with skin infections.
