Olfactory self-inspection: Own body odour provides cues to one's health and hygiene status

Abstract

Olfactory self-inspection has been observed in various mammals, including humans. This behaviour can help individuals to monitor own state, including health and hygiene. This study's aim was to explore the frequency of sniffing particular body parts and investigate possible gender differences. Further, we tested a possible function of this behaviour, namely monitoring health and hygiene, by investigating associations between the frequency of self-sniffing and health, hygiene, and disgust sensitivity. Respondents completed an online survey on self-sniffing behaviour, health status, hygiene habits, and disgust sensitivity. Self-sniffing behaviour was investigated using a purpose-built inventory which explored the incidence and frequency of sniffing different parts of own body. Principal Component Analysis identified three main axes of self-sniffing behaviour: Social acceptability self-inspection, Intimate self-inspection, and Cosmetic self-inspection. Our results further show that respondents with lower standards of hygienic habits engage significantly more in intimate self-inspection (sniffing body parts such as genitals, anus, or navel). Interestingly, individuals who reported more frequent health issues sniff more frequently areas such as the armpits, feet, or own breath (Social acceptability self-inspection), probably to check for possible changes in smell due to illness. Our results indicate that olfactory self-inspection probably has several functions depending on the location from which the smell originates.