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One Armpit Smells Worse Breast Cancer

One Armpit Is Hairier Than The Other

Breast Cancer Body Odor

Forgot to shave on one side or just didn’t do as thorough of a job? Your fuzzier armpit may very well be a little smellier.

Because armpit hair traps more sweat than skin alone, there’s more of an opportunity for sweat on the hairier side to mix with odor-causing bacteria, says Beth Goldstein, MD, adjunct clinical professor of dermatology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and founder of the skin care brand GETMR.

âFix it:â Fortunately, the fix is pretty simple: Do a quick check to confirm that both underarms are equally shaven before getting out of the shower. Removing armpit hair via shaving or waxing is an effective way to reduce underarm odor, per a March 2016 study in the âJournal of Cosmetic Dermatologyâ.

Goopy Ear Wax And Unpleasant Body Odors Signal Breast Cancer Risk

Date:
Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology
Summary:
If having malodorous armpits and goopy earwax isn’t bad enough, a discovery by Japanese scientists may add a more serious problem for women facing these cosmetic calamities. That’s because they’ve found that a gene responsible for breast cancer causes these physical symptoms. The report should arm physicians with another clue for detecting breast cancer risk.

If having malodorous armpits and goopy earwax isn’t bad enough, a discovery by Japanese scientists may add a more serious problem for women facing these cosmetic calamities. That’s because they’ve found that a gene responsible for breast cancer causes these physical symptoms. The report describing this finding is featured on the cover of The FASEB Journal’s June 2009 print issue, and should arm physicians with another clue for detecting breast cancer risk.

“We do strongly hope that our study will provide a new tool for better predication of breast cancer risk by genotyping,” said Toshihisa Ishikawa, Ph.D., a professor from the Department of Biomolecular Engineering at the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the senior researcher involved in the work. “Using a rapid and cost-effective typing method presented in this study would provide a practical tool for pharmacogenomics-based personalized medicine.”

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Changing Diet Supplements Or Medications

If your body odor changes are due to foods, you may want to avoid them and increase variety in your diet.

If you have a vitamin deficiency, a doctor can find out with a simple blood test. You can get more of these vitamins by adding certain foods to your diet, or by taking supplements.

If a side effect of a medication youre taking is causing your body odor to change in an unpleasant way, speak with a doctor. They can help you discuss your options, either adjusting your dose or switching to another medication.

Dont stop taking any medication until youve spoken with a doctor.

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Does Cancer Smell Can People Smell Cancer

If you or a loved one has recently been diagnosed with cancer, you probably have a million questions. Your head may be spinning with all the new words you hear and the treatment options you need to decide about. Even with all that going on, youre probably just as worried about how your day to day life might be affected.

Theres a lot of technical and medical issues to ask about, and some of them may seem too small or silly to ask. One question that newly diagnosed cancer patients often wonder about is Does cancer smell?

There are two reasons for asking this question. Patients and family members sometimes wonder if they could have found the cancer sooner by being more vigilant about odors. Patients are also concerned that their illness may make them smell bad or give off an unpleasant odor, offending people around them.

Rest assured that you are not alone in wondering about cancer smell. Your medical team has probably heard this question at least a hundred times or more. And while it may seem like a simple question, the answer is actually not quite so simple.

You Have Some Extra Stinky Bacteria Under One Armpit

Armpit detox  The Nourished Soul

Just like in the gut, the surface of our armpit skin has a mix of good and bad bacteria that normally coexist in relative harmony. But sometimes the balance can become disrupted, leading to an overgrowth of certain bad bacteria that could potentially make body odor more potent, Dr. Garshick says.

And if the bad bacteria are more prevalent in one underarm than the other, that pit might start to get noticeably noxious.

âFix it:â Using a dedicated antibacterial body wash can help bring the bacteria â and its accompanying smell â back in check. Dr. Goldstein likes Dial Complete White Antibacterial Bar Soap or Hibiclens Antiseptic & Antimicrobial Skin Cleanser . “Use it daily or twice daily, without scrubbing,” she says.

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Decrease In Blood Cell Counts:

Why it happens: Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body, white blood cells help fight infection, and platelets help stop bleeding. These normal, healthy cells divide rapidly, just like the cancer cells, which is why chemo often affects these benign cells in addition to the cancer cells.

How to handle anemia :

  • Get at least eight hours of sleep each night
  • Take short naps during the day
  • Limit your activities by setting priorities of what you need to get completed for the day
  • Accept help when your family and friends offer
  • Eat a well-balanced diet that contains all the calories and protein your body needs to keep your weight up and repair tissues that have been harmed by the chemo

How to handle infections :

  • Wash your hands with soap and water
  • Carry hand sanitizer
  • Use sanitizing wipes to clean surfaces and items that you touch
  • Be gentle and thorough when you wipe after a bowel movement
  • Take good care of your skin and clean cuts right away
  • Stay away from people who are sick or crowds
  • Wash raw vegetables and fruits before eating them
  • Do not eat raw or undercooked fish, seafood, meat, chicken, or eggs
  • If you are a pet owner, have someone else clean up animal waste
  • Do not get a flu shot or other vaccine without first checking with your cancer doctor or nurse.

How to handle a low platelet count:

Your doctor or nurse will order blood tests to find out your blood counts throughout your chemo treatment.

Why Do Diseases Smell

Diseases change the way a body works, says Yehuda Zeiri, PhD, a biomedical engineer at Ben-Gurion Universitys Kiryat Bergman Campus in Beer-Sheva, Israel. When disease leads to enhancement of new and different biochemical processes in the body, these processes may lead to the production of small volatile molecules, he explains. These can be transported by the blood to the lungs and be released in exhaled breath they can also be released in the urine and sweat.

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How Do I Stop The Stench

If you’re pits are smelling more than usual then it could be worth reviewing your diet.

Keeping clean, taking regular showers and using deodorants is one way to make sure you stay fresh.

There are various deodorants that are available and more than ever natural deodorants have started to creep onto our shelves.

One expert said you need to work out what’s right for your body before choosing an antiperspirant.

Ed Currie, co-founder of deodorant brand Akt said: You have to remember that the underarms are one of the most sensitive areas of the body with a huge concentration of lymph nodes.

“Theyre a delicate area and need to be taken care of.”

Speaking to The Sun he added: “At the root of it, sweating is extremely natural and there are many reasons for it, including exercise, anxiety, health conditions, and in women, pregnancy, menopause and menstruation.

“Your sweat levels can also be affected by certain foods, particularly those that stimulate the release of insulin in your body. During hot weather body odour is inevitable if you aren’t using a good deodorant.

“The microbes on your skin metabolise sweat, which is what causes body-odour. In hot weather the microbes found in your underarms have the perfect conditions to reproduce and metabolise sweat more effectively. “

But if the issue can’t be taken care of with a simple deodorant there are other solutions.

Dr Zeichner said chemical deodorants are available on prescription.

This Is Why One Of Your Armpits Smells Worse Than The Other

Changes To Expect After Lymph Nodes Are Removed From Armpits

Fact Checked

You take a quick whiff of one underarm and notice that it seriously reeks. But when you go to check the other? Nada. No weird smells there! So…what’s going on?

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Body odor under one armpit only may seem a little bizarre, but it also might be more common than you think. “I get asked about this a lot in the office setting,” says , assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell-New York Presbyterian Medical Center. Ah, so you and your funky pit aren’t alone after all!

Better still, the underlying cause is often surprisingly straightforward and easy to fix. Here are five of the most likely reasons why one armpit may smell worse than the other, plus when to touch base with your doctor.

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Mouth And Throat Changes

Why it happens: Since chemo affects fast-growing cells, like the cells that line your entire GI tract , you may experience changes in these parts of your body.

Problems may include:

  • Changes in taste and smell
  • Infections in your gums, teeth or tongue
  • Increased sensitivity to hot or cold foods

How to handle:

  • Visit a dentist at least two weeks before starting chemo
  • Check your mouth and tongue every day, especially if you wear dentures or a partial plate
  • Keep your mouth moist by sipping water all day
  • Brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush after every meal and at bedtime
  • Do not use mouthwash that contains alcohol
  • Take small bites of food
  • Soften food with gravy, broth or other liquids
  • Suck on popsicles or ice chips.

You cancer doctor or nurse may refer you to a dietitian who can provide further education.

Dr Oz: Only Sweat Out Of One Armpit Asymmetric Sweat Glands

Doctor Oz did a segment of Am I Normal and was asked by a girl if it is normal that she only sweats out of one armpit. Dr. Ozs shocking answer is revealed on the next page!

Dr Oz said that it is not normal to only sweat out of one armpit, but it may not be a health issue either. Everyone is built asymmetrically and so sometimes our sweat glands are asymmetric as well. If you sweat too much, a doctor can clip the nerves or do botox to help with the amount of sweat your armpit produces. The bigger concern would be if you used to sweat out of both armpits and then suddenly only started sweating out of one armpit, because that could mean that something is growing and pushing on your nerve so you should then go to the doctor and get a chest xray. I wonder how common this really is. Leave a comment below if you only sweat out of one armpit!

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You May Not Be Caring For Both Sides Of Your Body

Since weve established that you may favour one side over the other, this can inadvertently contribute to your lack of hygiene. Of course when you shower or apply deodorant, you are doing it to both sides, but you may prioritize one over the other. This leads to more odor on one side than the other. You must shave, apply deodorant, and wash your underarms at the same time to keep odors at bay.

Join the community

Should I Buy Natural Deodorant Or Not

9 Common Habits That Are Making You Smell Bad #ArmpitsRash

Natural deodorant is not better or worse for your health than traditional deodorant or antiperspirant. A lot of the claims that one product is better than another are just marketing claims that are not based on scientific evidence, Dr. Chen said. I dont think theres any proof that one is safer than another.

The Personal Care Products Council, an industry group that represents cosmetic and personal care product companies, echoed a view from Dr. Chen and other experts, which is that people should make their choice based on personal preference. Our members work to ensure consumers have access to an array of safe and effective products that help meet the differing needs for themselves and their families, the council said in a statement provided to The New York Times. This includes offering natural products for those consumers who prefer them. Its all about consumer choice.

Still, dermatologists do recommend fragrance-free options, especially if you are allergic or sensitive to fragrance. The more exposure one has to some of these fragrance chemicals, the more at risk you are for potentially developing an allergy, Dr. Botto said.

If you enjoy using scented deodorants, though, thats fine, she added, but particularly if you have any sort of skin sensitivity, its a risk.

Or, you could simply choose not to wear deodorant at all.

Annie Sneed is a science journalist who has written for Scientific American, Wired, Public Radio International and Fast Company.

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No Two Sides Of Your Body Are Identical

Recently, I listened to an interesting Ted Talk that discussed how most human bodies are asymmetrical. While I had a hard time finding a study that proved that one armpit can smell worse than the other, I did find a study that showed that one armpit can produce more bacteria than the other. Since bacteria is the main cause of odors and asymmetry is prevalent in our bodies, it makes sense that one armpit can smell worse than the other.

We Dont Use Both Sides Of Our Bodies Equally

This dichotomy has existed since we were born, which is why we are either right handed or left handed. We are naturally going to use our dominant side more, so the increased activity may produce more sweat and bacteria. If you are right-handed like most of the world, you will use that arm more and produce sweat that leads to molecules that release Organosulfur compounds called Thioalcohols which contain pungent odor. Therefore, your right armpit will smell more than your left.

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Re: Smelly Armpits And Ear Wax Link To Breast Cancer

hi there,slightly different angle here to the original thread, but i have been using dri-clore for some years now . I asked my BC nurse if i could continue with this as i had heard aluminium in deodrant is a no-no for BC patients. She said ahe had never been asked this question and would look into it so when i spotted this thread i thought i’d just see if anyone else had been advised on the use of strong deodrants containing aluminium?x

Smelly Armpits And Goopy Earwax Predict Breast Cancer Risk

Breast Cancer Exercises
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Having malodorous armpits and goopy earwax is any woman’s nightmare. Japanese scientists’ new discovery may be a more serious problem for ladies facing these cosmetic calamities. A new research in the FASEB Journal by the researchers shows that a “breast cancer gene” causes osmidrosis and makes earwax wet and sticky.

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Ear Wax Body Odor: Breast Cancer Link

Researchers See Clues for Breast Cancer Risk in Underarm Body Odor and Wet Ear Wax

June 5, 2009 A variation in a gene already associated with breast cancer risk is also linked with especially unpleasant underarm body odor and wet ear wax, according to a team of Japanese scientists.

The discovery is not meant to make women with either condition anxious, says Toshi Ishikawa, PhD, professor of biomolecular engineering at the Tokyo Institute of Technology and the senior author of the study. Rather, he says, we do strongly hope that our study will provide a new tool for better prediction of breast cancer risk by using a new method of finding the variation developed by his team.

Having wet ear wax or excessively smelly armpits does not mean a woman is destined to get breast cancer, Ishikawa says. To be clear, I should strongly mention that the is one factor that increases breast cancer risk, Ishikawa says. And it might have to work in tandem with something else such as environmental factors and mutations of tumor suppressor genes such as BRCA1, BRCA2, p53, and so on.

Ishikawas team extracted DNA from blood samples provided by 124 volunteers at Nagasaki University in Japan.

While many SNPs dont affect the way cells function, experts think that other variations may predispose people to specific diseases such as cancer or affect the way they respond to a medication.

The study is published in The FASEB Journal.

So Does An Armpit Detox Really Work

First, a word about my pits. Iâve been a long-time user of clinical-strength deodorants that are made with all the awful things youâre supposed to avoid. One of these days, Iâll change my ways, I promise â but today is not that day.

My main hope for this armpit detox was to clear my skin of all the built-up conventional antiperspirant because, even after showering, I feel like itâs never totally gone.

Did it work? Yes!

To really test it out, I didnât reapply deodorant after I washed the mask off. Normally, if I forget to put on deodorant, I start to get a lilâ ripe about an hour later. But at the end of the day, I still wasnât stinky.

While I donât see the mask as an everyday solution to underarm stink â SmartyPits says to use it at most twice a week â it definitely cleared up my stench temporarily.

I think I need a few more detox sessions to see if the perma-stink will really be held at bay, but what I can say is that the layer of deodorant that was permanently adhered to my skin is gone, and my pits have never felt fresher.

About the author: Mackenzie Sanford is a writer and musician working on her armpits in the Midwest.

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