Question

I am going crazy with my underarm smell. I use Dial antibacterial soap for 60+ seconds, enough to kill the bacteria on the surface, but I think the bacteria are deep in my underarm hair follicles and pores. When I shower and use a loofah and antiseptic soap, the smell barely goes away. It smells like onion-filled hamburgers and worse things. It's the most unholy stench. Please help me. I rub a ton of triple antibiotic ointment (Neosporin) on my pits once a week but the stench keeps coming back. 

Answer: 

Dermatologist Ashley Wysong, MD, MS: This sounds like bromhidrosis, where bacteria in sweat glands are responsible for causing the bad odor. There are two types of bromhidrosis: apocrine bromhidrosis, found mostly in the underarms, breasts and groin areas or eccrine bromhidrosis, found over the entire body.

Bromhidrosis can be caused by different things. Certain medications, some types of food you eat and bacteria colonization are a few possible causes. 

Treatment options include topical therapies, Botox injections and sometimes even surgery. A board-certified dermatologist can create a custom treatment plan for you. Call 800.922.0000 to schedule an appointment with one of our Nebraska Medicine dermatologists.

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These are anonymous questions, meaning we can’t give one-on-one medical advice in this format. For medical advice specific to your unique condition, schedule an appointment at 800.922.0000.