Sweat & Odor Under Your Breasts- Causes & How to Handle

Here’s another completely normal thing: Sweat & odor under your breasts! However, sometimes, it can get icky and uncomfortable, especially if it happens more than usual.

So what can you do if you sweat a lot and produce more odor than normal under your breasts?

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Why Do You Sweat Under Your Breasts, And Why Does It Smell?

If you have been following my articles on sweating and body odor, you should realize that the concept is the same. Where there is sweat, there is bacteria. And when the two hold parliament they tend to produce body odor.

Just like under your arms, the skin under your breasts has sweat glands too. The area there is also usually warmer and constantly experiences friction from skin-to-skin contact throughout the day (especially in us ladies with heavier boobies).

All of this results in an environment that is damp and humid – a breeding ground for bacteria. Combined with those, the sweat accumulates too, resulting in body odor.

Extra Funky Odors Under Your Breasts

In some cases, the smell under your breast can be worse than your regular sweaty smell. If this is the case, you may have a skin infection or some underlying condition that requires medical attention.

If you notice that the odor coming from under your breasts smells cheesy or fishy, you should see a doctor as soon as possible. Yeast infections of the skin can get so bad that they give you a rash, irritation and an abnormal smell, especially when you sweat.

Another interesting (although uncommon) condition that causes a fishy body odor (even under your breasts) is called Trimethylaminuria (TMAU) or “Fish Odor Syndrome”. Usually, when your gut bacteria break down certain foods, they produce a chemical called trimethylamine which has a fishy odor.

The body then transforms this chemical into a different one that does not smell. In Fish Odor Syndrome, the body is unable to do this, leaving trimethylamine to build up. The exact cause of the disease other than genetic abnormalities in some cases, is unknown and there is no cure. But, you can manage your symptoms.

Related Article – 10 Simple Tips To Reduce Underarm Odor

How Do You Manage Sweat & Odor Under Your Breasts

Depending on the cause, the easiest ways to manage sweat & odor under your breasts are to shower often, practice good hygiene, and use antiperspirants and deodorants.

1- Showering Regularly

Showering regularly is the easiest way to get rid of built-up bacteria and sweat on the skin.

Choose cleansers and soaps that are gentle but also antibacterial for your skin. If your odor is being caused by a fungal infection, you may need to use soaps or cleansers that contain zinc or ketoconazole. These are best used under the guidance of a dermatologist.

Keeping the skin clean as much as possible will prevent bacteria and sweat from staying on the skin too long and hence, will prevent odor.

2- Good Hygiene

Apart from regular showers, there are other simple skincare things you can do to keep your skin healthy.

Make sure that your skin is moisturized. This will keep both the moisture and lipid barriers of the skin healthy and less prone to infections.

If you sweat a lot, you can also make sure that you walk with body wipes when you are out and about or even have them in hand reach at home. If you are unable to shower more than 1-2 times a day, then you can use body wipes between showers to keep your skin dry and clean.

A couple of great body wipes that I love are the Sweatblock wipes and the Lume wipes.

You can check out these articles to read my review on the Sweatblock and Lume wipes (and to see where to purchase both):

Sweatblock Wipes- Are They Safe, Benefits, & Side Effects

Lume Deodorant Wipes – Are They Really Safe & Do They Work

Another great thing you can do is to change your clothes and your bras regularly. When you wear a bra a lot, sweat and bacteria also accumulate in the fabric which then transfers all over again to your skin. The longer you wear them, the worse it gets. So change (and wash) your bras and even your tops as often as you can.

3- Antiperspirants & Deodorants For Under Your Breasts

These are products that are designed to help combat sweat and odor. The most common ones are made for your armpits, but many brands make whole-body deodorants, as well.

Given the formula of different antiperspirants, they can also be used under your breasts unless you are sensitive or allergic to aluminum.

Many people also choose to DIY sweat absorbers and deodorants at home which can also help to manage sweat and odor under your breasts.

It all depends on how much sweat and odor your skin produces.

Check out our next article to see some great commercial and DIY deodorants that you can use under your breasts.