Have you ever gotten a whiff of a garlicky or oniony smell when you step into the shower after a long day of work or spending some intimate time with a partner? You may be surprised to find out that it’s coming from your nipples!
Weird, right? But as it turns out, nipples that smell like garlic are not as uncommon as you might think. Thousands of men and women around the world silently suffer from this strange affliction. And if you are one of these people, you must be wondering
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Why Do Your Nipples Smell Like Garlic?
Nipples can smell like garlic because breast tissue is replete with active apocrine glands which produce a thick sweat that, when broken down by certain skin bacteria, gives off a pungent aroma that smells like garlic to some people.
Surprisingly, there are more factors that can contribute to this very particular smell.
Bromhidrosis And Other Things That Make Your Nipples Smell Garlicky
Bromhidrosis is a condition that results in a very strong body odor that can sometimes be perceived as garlic-like or onion-like. This is caused by the fact that the sweat produced by the sweat glands found throughout breast tissue and around the nipples is thicker than usual.
When this thick sweat comes into contact with bacteria that lives on the skin, it gets broken down and produces a pungent smell.
This issue is heightened by the fact that some people express a common metabolite called allyl methyl sulfide, which has a very strong and somewhat unpleasant odor. allyl methyl sulfide is metabolized by people after eating large quantities of foods such as garlic, horseradish, and some types of mustard.
So if you are prone to body odor and/or eat lots of garlic, your garlicky nipples may be related.
Other reasons that your nipples may smell or even taste like garlic are:
- Hormonal changes
- Intake of antibiotics or corticosteroids
- Zinc deficiency
- Birth control pills
- Elevated prolactin levels
- Elevated stress
- High alcohol consumption
- Auto-immune disease
Regardless of the root cause, if your nipples smell like garlic it is because the chemistry of your body has been affected or altered somehow. This means that getting to the bottom of your garlicky nipples and getting rid of them can be a challenge.
But, fret not, because it is not impossible.
How To Get Rid Of Garlicky-Nipple Smell
Your mileage may vary with the tips below, but I’ve spoken to dozens of men and women who suffer from this embarrassing condition and they’ve all sworn to me that through these tips and tricks they’ve been able to significantly reduce and even get rid of the smell of garlic from their nipples.
Hygiene
The first tip is to start a solid odor-removing hygiene routine, as it will be essential to get rid of your garlicky-nipple smell if bacteria are the causing the odor. This means showering regularly with warm water and using antibacterial or germicidal soaps that have a neutral pH.
Use an antiperspirant to reduce the sweat and/or extra strength deodorant to mask the smell.
Wear The Right Clothes
If excessive sweating is behind the pungent garlic smell emanating from your nipples then choosing the right clothes will be imperative to resolving the issue. Make sure to wear clean clothes that are odor resistant and allow your skin to breathe freely.
Try To Keep Cool
In general, try to stay cool. Sweat is a big part of the smell that is being emitted. If you are able to sweat less it will have a positive effect.
Watch What You Eat
As mentioned earlier a strong garlic smell can occur when certain foods are consumed in high quantities. You do not need to cut them out altogether, but try to limit your dietary intake of things like garlic, onions, and horseradish.
Baking Soda
Take about ¼ teaspoon of baking soda and add a bit of warm water until the texture resembles a soft, thin paste. Apply this paste to the area around your nipples and allow it to completely dry before getting dressed.
Lemon
Lemon juice is a highly effective and 100% natural odor-fighting tool. To use lemon against garlicky nipples, simply take one lemon and cut it in half. Then squeeze out a few drops of fresh lemon juice and apply it directly onto your nipples with the aid of a cotton ball or cloth. Make sure to wash your nipples thoroughly and dry the area completely before applying the lemon juice to your skin.
Seek Medical Aid
If you think that your nipples smell like garlic as a result of a medication, consult with your doctor and suggest that they prescribe you an alternative treatment if possible.
Having to deal with garlic-smelling nipples can be extremely distressing and cause a high degree of stress and mental turmoil. It can also negatively impact your interpersonal relationships and even put you off sex due to embarrassment.
But don’t give up seeking a solution, because there are thousands of people out there dealing with this problem, and each day new tips and tricks are identified. So, if nothing in this article works, keep looking until you find something that works for you.
