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 I tell you why sweat smells like ammonia after a workout, I should tell you what this phenomenon actually is.
Sweat is a completely natural biochemical process for the human body. Together with this fluid, harmful toxins and toxins are removed from the body. Also, thanks to sweat, heat exchange functions are provided in the body. In addition, perspiration 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 comes out of the human body.
Smells
If your sweat smells like ammonia, then this should definitely attract attention. However, it should be noted that this phenomenon does not always indicate the presencepathology. 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, the 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 claim that such secretions often have other odors, including fishy, sour, putrid, and even honey.
Composition
If your sweat smells like ammonia, it means that its composition is different from normal. This can be caused by several reasons, which we will tell you about below.
According to reports of experts, normal human sweat contains the following substances: water (about 90%), urea, sodium chloride, ammonia, ascorbic acid, lactic acid and citric acid.
In a he althy person who observes all the rules of personal hygiene, such discharge does not have an unpleasant odor. If the sweat smells like ammonia or has any other sharp and specific aroma, then you should immediately consult a doctor. At the same time, the doctor is obliged to prescribe a medical examination in order to exclude the development of serious diseases.
Sweat smells like ammonia after a workout: causes of an unpleasant phenomenon
If the discharge in the form of sweat has acquired a sharp ammonia smell, then enhanced hygiene alone can hardly be dispensed with. After all, very often this condition indicates a malfunction in the work of internalsystems or organs. To identify the exact cause of such a pathology, you should consult a specialist.
Let's look at the main reasons sweat smells like ammonia right now.
Development of diabetes
It is no secret to anyone that with the mentioned disease, the level of glucose in the blood rises significantly. Such a pathological condition often leads to malfunction of the internal glands.
If your sweat has a pronounced smell of ammonia, and is also excreted in large quantities and is accompanied by drying of the oral mucosa and weight gain, then you should definitely visit a doctor and take a blood test to determine the level of sugar in it. By the way, a special diet and proper nutrition can successfully cope with a similar problem.
Hormonal failures
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 primary task in the event of such a problem is to consult an experienced endocrinologist.
Diseases of the respiratory system
Often, the phenomenon in question indicates the development of tuberculosis or chronic bronchitis. If your sweat smells like ammonia and is accompanied by a strong cough, fatigue, weakness in the body andelevated temperature, then, most likely, these diseases are the cause of its occurrence. To avoid serious complications, you should contact a phthisiatrician.
Other reasons
Why does sweat smell like ammonia after a workout? Such an unpleasant phenomenon may be due to a lack of B and D vitamins in the human body. Disorders of the nervous system, including neuroses and vegetovascular dystonia, can also contribute to this condition.
The smell of sweat often changes during nervous overload (for example, during conflicts, frequent stressful conditions and experiences), as well as insomnia and other sleep disorders.
It is impossible not to say that the condition in question may appear against the background of the development of mastopathy. A mammologist deals with the treatment and diagnosis of this disease.
Another fairly common cause of ammonia-smelling sweat is the constant consumption of spicy and sour foods.
Remedy
If the smell of ammonia in sweat was caused by a particular disease, then to eliminate it, it is the root cause that should be treated. If a person is completely he althy, then with an unpleasant smell from the body, it is only necessary 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. ATin 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 thoroughly using 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 great care. After all, many of them contain ingredients that dry out 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 products (for example, deodorant or antiperspirant). They must be of high quality and hypoallergenic.
- A person's clothing should be made only from quality fabrics (such as cotton or linen). This is due to the fact that only such materials are able to provide normal ventilation of the skin, as well as prevent excessive sweating and allow the already released moisture to evaporate faster from the surface of the body. In case of excessive sweating, including the ammonia smell of sweat, it is strictly forbidden to wear synthetic clothes.
- If your clothes are wet with sweat, then you should not walk in them for too long, aswaterlogged tissue is a favorable environment for the reproduction of various bacteria. As soon as possible, change your damp shirt for a dry and clean one.
- Only open shoes should be worn in summer. If you cannot do without closed shoes, then 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 sour, spicy and fatty foods. It is also necessary to reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
- Spend as much time as possible in physical exercise, because regular exercise allows you to get rid of excess weight, improve metabolism and speed up the elimination of toxins from the body.
- In some cases, to eliminate the ammonia smell of sweat, experts recommend that their patients take pharmaceutical 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 cannot be said that some folk recipes also successfully help get rid of the problem in question. For example, many people take baths with the addition of sage decoction, pine or eucalyptus oils, oak bark, potassium permanganate or s alt.
