Dealing with night sweats that smell like vinegar

The causes of sweats that smell like vinegar were discussed in a prior blog post (Night Sweats Smell Like Vinegar); however, that post focused on diseases that cause the condition. That leaves a lot of things unaddressed, such as other things that can be responsible for the condition and how it can be dealt with. Of course, as with any health issue, you should consult your doctor about any health concerns you have. If you struggle with sweat that smells and feel self-conscious about it, there are some guidelines that can be followed to reduce the smell.

Avoiding eating spicy food at night can help reduce odorful night sweating. Spicy food causes the body to sweat more because the chemical in spicy food, capsaicin, tricks the brain into thinking the internal body temperature is rising. In response to the body believing the temperature is rising, it activates the sweat glands in order to cool the body down. This high increase in sweat production will worsen the issue for those dealing with odorful sweat. The spicy foods which cause the worst reactions are spicy curry, hot wings, peppers, jalapenos, and wasabi. Food with a lot of general spices such as curry, garlic, and cumin also cause the body to create compounds that react with sweat and cause strong odors.

In the case of night sweats, which is defined as excessive sweating occurring at night, the most important thing you can do to reduce sweating is to keep your body cool. You can keep your body cool at night in various ways, from lighter comforters and sheets to different fans. However, dropping the A/C temperature can be expensive, especially during the summer. This is why addressing the comforter and sheets situation first is essential. Swapping your usual comforter for a lighter one, such as a quilt, and using breathable sheets like linen or cotton can help cool you down while sleeping for a pretty low price. The BedFan is also highly effective at cooling the body while you sleep as it blows air directly over you.

There is also a lot that can be done regarding hygiene that can help reduce the intensity of the smell of night sweats. For example, frequent washing, especially in the morning after sleeping, can eliminate the odor-causing sweat that accumulates overnight. Washing up before bed also helps to prevent vinegar-smelling night sweats by washing away bacteria already present on the body so that it will not mix with sweat overnight.

Washing up with antibacterial soap, whether at night or in the morning, should also be followed up with an application of deodorant. Applying deodorant prior to bed can effectively reduce the intensity of the night sweat smell. This is because deodorant acts as a barrier between the body’s sweat glands and the bacteria on the skin, which reduces the chances of a reaction occurring and causing a strong smell.