Why does one of my armpits smell worse than the other?

Okay so it's super normal for one armpit to smell a little stronger than the other. Like, totally normal. Our bodies aren't perfectly symmetrical, and that goes for how much we sweat or how many odor-causing bacteria hang out in each armpit too.

What's going on?

It could be a bunch of things. Maybe you have more sweat glands in one armpit, or maybe the bacteria that cause BO just like one side better. Your dominant arm (like if you're right-handed, your right arm) might also sweat more because you use it more, so that side could smell more. Hormones from puberty can make body odor stronger overall, and sometimes they can make things a little uneven too.

What to do about it

No biggie, just keep up with your hygiene routine. Here's what helps:

• Wash well: When you shower, make sure to really wash both armpits with soap. You can use a washcloth or loofah to get a good scrub.
• Deodorant/Antiperspirant: Make sure you're getting good coverage on both sides. Antiperspirant helps stop the sweat, and deodorant covers up the smell.
• Clean clothes: Fresh clothes every day make a huge difference.

If you're really worried or the smell suddenly gets a lot worse, you can always chat with a grown-up or a doctor. But usually, it's just your body doing its unique thing!