Body odor is also called bromhidrosis and is caused by multiplying bacteria - usually in a dark and moist environment. Sweat actually has no odor but provides conditions for the odorous bacteria to cause bad smells. Read on for body odor remedies that prevent and treat bad smells caused by perspiration.
Eliminate Bad Body Odor With Diet
Consuming plenty of green vegetables may help prevent body odor as the chlorophyll helps dispel bad smells. Fenugreek tea is a traditional Middle Eastern home remedy made with a cup of boiling water and two teaspoons of fenugreek seeds infused for five minutes before being strained. This is believed to purify the blood while reducing bad breath and body odor.
Spicy foods and peppers make you sweat more, and may also contribute to body odor. Other foods with a strong aroma such as onions and garlic can be released in the sweat; making an unpleasant smell.
Body Odor Control Tips
Men often smell worse than women because they don’t shave their armpits (giving bacteria more surface area to live on) so if armpit sweat is a serious problem then removing hair from this area may help. Other tips to get rid of odor include:
- Keep clean - Shower daily (or more if sweating is a problem). This washes away sweat and reduces the bacteria on your skin.
- Dry skin after bathing - Odor-creating bacteria breeds less quickly on dry skin so try to avoid damp skin at all times.
- Use deodorants or antiperspirants - Whether a natural or conventional deodorant is used be sure to apply it twice a day.
- Wash clothes regularly - Fresh clothes significantly help keep body odor at bay. Changing socks daily is essential, especially in the case of foot odor.
- Take care of feet - Washing feet regularly with antibacterial soap, avoiding synthetic footwear, using deodorant powders in shoes, replacing insoles and going barefoot as much as possible helps to keep feet smelling fresh.
Medical Reasons For Body Odor
Hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) can lead to body odor and a doctor can advise on effective treatments. Occasionally certain illnesses cause body odor despite good hygiene. Some examples include athlete's foot, diabetes, gastrointestinal disorders, typhoid fever and an overactive thyroid. Specific organ problems such as kidney disease can also produce a bad smell in some cases. Medical advice should be sought though usually treating the condition eliminates the associated body odor.
Body odor can be embarrassing so try home remedies to get rid of body odor. Sweaty armpits can be treated with deodorants to control odor caused by perspiration. In the case of odor caused by health problems (or smells despite good hygiene practices) a doctor can make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.
Read Remedies for Foot Odor & Sweaty Feet for more information.
Disclaimer
The information given in this article is for educational purpose only so that patients are aware of the options available. No diagnosis should be made or treatment undertaken without first consulting your doctor. If you do so, the author or Suite101 will not be responsible for any consequences.
Sources:
Nice, Jill Herbal Remedies & Home Comforts London: Judy Piatkus (Publishers) Ltd, 1990
Vukovic, Laurel 1001 Natural Remedies Dorling Kindersley, 2003
WebMD.com. Handling Sweating and Body Odor (Accessed January 23, 2011).
WebMD.com. Home Remedies for Body Odor (Accessed January 23, 2011).
Priya Chauhan - A designer, topic editor and feature writer (for Hinduism) and all round experimenter of healthy living; Priya enjoys being creative, and ...
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