Can you smell your own body odor?
Aug 27, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Wang Lei
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, whether patients themselves can smell body odor mainly depends on their olfactory sensitivity and the severity of the body odor. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely medical consultation and treatment at a reputable hospital. If patients are unsure whether they have body odor, they can observe whether there are light yellow stains under the armpits of their clothing or whether the armpits frequently feel damp.
Generally, whether a patient can smell their own body odor depends on individual olfactory sensitivity and the severity of the body odor. If discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek timely diagnosis and treatment at a正规 hospital. Detailed analysis is as follows:
If a patient has high olfactory sensitivity and severe body odor, they usually can clearly detect their own odor. These individuals have a strong perception of smells, and severe body odor continuously emits a noticeable unpleasant smell. Even in normal environments, the odor can be sensed through breathing or clothes, especially after physical activity or when sweating increases, making the odor more perceptible to the individual.
If a patient has low olfactory sensitivity or mild body odor, they may find it difficult to perceive their own odor. Some people naturally have less sensitive olfactory responses and are less aware of mild odors; mild body odor emits a low concentration of odor, which only becomes noticeable in close proximity or under specific conditions. Patients may not easily detect this during their daily activities and often need others to inform them about the odor.
If patients are unsure whether they have body odor, they can check their clothes for light yellow stains under the armpits or whether they frequently experience underarm dampness. They can also ask close friends or family members for objective feedback.
