Why does sweat smell like ammonia? The reasons for this unpleasant phenomenon will be indicated below. We will also tell you how to get rid of this smell.
Basic information
Before telling you why sweat smells like ammonia after a workout, you should tell what this phenomenon is all about.
Sweating is a completely natural biochemical process for the human body. Together with this liquid, harmful toxins and toxins are removed from the body. Also, due to sweat, the body provides heat transfer functions. In addition, sweating normalizes the water balance and metabolism in the human body.
According to experts, the release of this fluid increases significantly during physical exertion (including after training), stressful conditions, being in hot and stuffy rooms, or outdoors in the summer, under the sun. At the same time, even in a calm state, about 1 liter of sweat per day leaves the human body.
Smells
If your sweat smells like ammonia, then this should definitely attract attention. However, it should be noted that far from always a similar phenomenon indicates the presence of pathology. After all, the smell of human sweat can change throughout life. The reasons for such changes can be completely different factors (for example, a certain lifestyle of a person, his diet, abuse of bad habits, and so on).
Why does sweat smell like ammonia? The answer to this question can only be given by experienced professionals. By the way, they argue that such secretions often have other smells, including fish, sour, putrid and even honey.
Structure
If your sweat smells like ammonia, then this means that its composition is different from normal. This may be due to several reasons, which we will tell you about below.
According to experts, the normal human sweat contains the following substances: water (about 90%), urea, sodium chloride, ammonia, ascorbic acid, lactic and citric acid.
In a healthy person who follows all the rules of personal hygiene, such discharge does not have an unpleasant odor. If the sweat smells of ammonia or has any other harsh and specific aroma, you should immediately consult a doctor. In this case, the doctor must prescribe a medical examination to exclude the development of serious diseases.
Sweat smells like ammonia after training: causes of the unpleasant phenomenon
If the discharge in the form of sweat acquired a sharp ammonia smell, then one can hardly do with enhanced hygiene here. Indeed, very often this condition indicates a malfunction in the work of internal systems or organs. To identify the exact cause of such a pathology, you should consult a specialist.
Consider the main reasons why sweat smells like ammonia, right now.
Development of diabetes
It is no secret to anyone that with the aforementioned disease, the level of glucose in the blood rises significantly. Such a pathological condition often leads to malfunctioning of the internal glands.
If your sweat has a pronounced smell of ammonia, and also stands out in large quantities and is accompanied by drying out of the oral mucosa and weight gain, you should definitely visit a doctor and take a blood test to detect the level of sugar in it. By the way, a special diet and proper nutrition can successfully cope with a similar problem.
Hormonal disruption
Why does sweat smell like ammonia in women and men? If the human thyroid gland does not function properly, then in his body there may be a shortage or, conversely, an excess of iodine. At the same time, a huge number of unpleasant symptoms are manifested, among which the smell of ammonia from sweat is especially prominent. The paramount task in the event of a similar problem is the consultation of an experienced endocrinologist.
Respiratory system diseases
Often the phenomenon under consideration indicates the development of tuberculosis or chronic bronchitis. If your sweat has the smell of ammonia and is accompanied by a strong cough, fatigue, weakness in the body and fever, then these diseases are most likely the cause of it. To avoid serious complications, you should consult a TB doctor.
Other reasons
Why does sweat smell like ammonia after a workout? Such an unpleasant phenomenon may be due to a lack of vitamins B and D in the human body. Disorders of the nervous system, including neurosis and vegetovascular dystonia, can also contribute to this condition.
The smell of sweat often changes with nervous overload (for example, during conflicts, frequent stressful conditions and experiences), as well as with insomnia and other sleep disorders.
It is impossible not to say that the condition in question can appear against the background of the development of mastopathy. A mammologist is involved in the treatment and diagnosis of this disease.
Another fairly common cause of the ammonia smell of sweat is the constant consumption of spicy and sour foods.
Remedies
If the smell of ammonia in sweat was caused by one or another disease, then the root cause should be treated to eliminate it. If a person is completely healthy, then with an unpleasant odor from the body, you only need to pay special attention to personal hygiene. After all, it is uncleanliness that provokes the active growth of bacteria, which, in fact, cause this terrible aroma.
So, the ammonia smell of sweat can be eliminated through the following measures:
- Take a shower or bath every day. In the winter season, this must be done once a day, and in the hot and warm months - at least three times. It should also be noted that those who are passionate about active sports should take a shower after each workout. At the same time, areas of increased sweating (for example, the inguinal region, armpits, etc.) must be washed very carefully using a high-quality and fragrant soap (for example, with an antibacterial effect). By the way, the choice of shampoos and other products should be approached with particular care. Indeed, many of them contain ingredients that dry the skin, making it vulnerable to pathogenic bacteria. Therefore, experts recommend using only natural products based on herbs or other natural elements.
- After taking a shower or bath, areas of increased sweating should be treated with special means (for example, deodorant or antiperspirant). They must be of high quality and hypoallergenic.
- Man's clothing should only be sewn from quality fabrics (e.g., cotton or linen). This is due to the fact that only such materials can ensure normal skin ventilation, as well as prevent excessive sweating and allow moisture already released to evaporate faster from the surface of the body. With excessive sweating, including the ammonia smell of sweat, wearing synthetic clothing is strictly prohibited.
- If your clothes are wet from sweat, then you should not walk in them for too long, since waterlogged tissue is a favorable environment for the multiplication of various bacteria. At the first opportunity, change your damp shirt to a dry and clean one.
- In summer, only open shoes should be worn. If you can’t do without closed shoes, it is recommended to wear thin socks so that your feet sweat a little less.
- To eliminate the ammonia smell of sweat, you should reduce the intake of acidic, spicy and fatty foods. It is also necessary to consume less alcohol.
- Pay as much time as possible to physical exercises, because regular exercise can help you lose weight, improve metabolism and accelerate the elimination of toxins from the body.
- In some cases, to eliminate the ammonia smell of sweat, experts recommend their patients to take pharmacy products that contain zinc and aluminum. According to them, such elements prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms, reducing the pungent smell of ammonia from sweat.
It is impossible not to say that some folk recipes also successfully help get rid of the problem under consideration. For example, many people take baths with the addition of a sage broth, pine or eucalyptus oils, oak bark, potassium permanganate or salt.