What Causes Body Odor?
Body odor is also known as sharir ki durgandh / pasine ki badboo (Hindi/Urdu), ghamacha vas (Marathi), Utal narrattai (Tamil), Huchou (Chinese), olor corporal (Spanish), cheiro corporal (Portuguese), sharirera gandh (Bengali), zapakh tela (Russian). Body odor starts with sweat. Body odor comes from sweat, which is made up of water, sodium salts, lactic acid, sulfuric acid, potassium, phosphorus, iron, and urea. Sweat is secreted by the exocrine glands, which are located in the armpits, face, chest, pubic area, and anal regions. Sweat actually has a purpose, moisturizing the skin, maintaining a healthy acid balance, and preventing unhealthy proliferations of microbes. Apocrine glands, concentrated in your underarms and genitals, secrete a substance that bacteria feast upon, causing strong odors. The armpits are the usual source. Armpit sweat, which is richer in proteins and fats than secretions from the sweat glands covering most of your skin, doesn’t stink until bacteria that normally colonize your skin break down chemicals in sweat into acids.
Armpit Odor and Sweating
People do believe that deodorants are easy to use solution but keep in mind many deodorants contain aluminum chlorohydrate, a manufactured form of aluminum that many believe contributes to Alzheimer’s disease. It is known to accumulate in the tissues, especially when applied to broken skin. This is a real problem as many people apply it just after shaving. Many deodorants also contain synthetic fragrances and methyl-and propylparabens, both of which have been implicated in breast cancer. So better choose natural option where it works directly on root cause that is sweat.
Home Remedies for Body Odor
- Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil helps to fight bacteria. Apply tea-tree oil to problem areas, as long as it doesn’t irritate your skin. This oil, from an Australian tree, kills bacteria and also has a pleasant scent.
- Aloe Vera Gel: In a small, clean jar, mix 1/4 cup (115 g) Aloe vera gel with 6 drops eucalyptus essential oil and 6 drops lavender essential oil. Shake the jar vigorously until the ingredients are fully blended. With a clean pad or cloth, dab the mixture onto your armpits after showering for a zesty feel and deodorizing action. Aloe vera is antiseptic and soothing. The essential oils are antibacterial.
- Essential Oil: Smell like a rose with essential oils. Essential oils of lavender, pine, and peppermint fight bacteria. They also smell nice. Since some people have a skin reaction to certain oils, test the underarm area or a small patch of skin before using.
- Apple Cider Vinegar: Place 1/4 cup (60 ml) apple cider vinegar and 6 drops lavender essential oil in a small, clean spray bottle, cap, and shake. Spritz on underarms after a shower or bath. Apple cider vinegar lowers the pH level of the skin, discouraging bacteria that turn body sweat into body odor. Lavender discourages bacterial growth and adds a scentual lift.
- Sage: Delightfully fragrant, sage can fight bacteria and reduce perspiration. You can purchase a solution of sage tincture or diluted sage oil, or brew some sage tea that you cool and store in a bottle. Any of these liquids can be used in the underarm area, but not around the genitals. And after using sage, wash your hands before touching your face.
- Lemon: A citrus fruit like lemon changes the pH level of your skin, making it more acidic. All bacteria, including the odor causing kinds, have a hard time surviving in a highly acidic environment. Just rub on some lemon and pat dry.
- Betadine: Try betadine. Betadine, an antibacterial cleanser, is so effective that some formulations are used to clean patients before surgery. Since it can dry your skin, however, you should use it in the shower, where it will rinse off quickly, and only on high-smell areas such as the armpits and groin. Squeeze out a small amount of cleanser, wash the target areas first, then rinse off the Betadine and finish your shower with regular soap.
Sweat and Body Odor Prevention Tips
- Bathe regularly, paying special attention to your armpits and bottom. Pick an antibacterial soap. These leave ingredients on your skin that kill bacteria even after you’re finished bathing. If the soap doesn’t irritate your skin, use it daily. If you find that these soaps are too drying, use them only on your underarms and groin, where you need their antibacterial power the most. OR Use a mild soap with a natural (plant-derived) fragrance.
- Wipe rubbing alcohol, vinegar, or hydrogen peroxide onto your underarms during the day to cut down the numbers of odor-causing bacteria.
- Wear natural fabrics. These allow your sweat to evaporate freely. It’s when your armpits are hot, sweaty, and lacking in oxygen that odor causing bacteria thrive. In winter, you can’t beat wool for warm and wicking action.
- Dab on witch hazel. You can splash it directly on your skin or apply it as often as necessary with a cotton pad. The clear, clean-smelling liquid has drying and deodorizing properties.
- Dust baking soda or cornstarch on any odor-troubled part of your body. Both of these powders absorb moisture, and baking soda also kills odor-causing bacteria. Also try this homemade natural odor eliminator – fill an empty box of your favorite scented powder with baking soda. Use the puff to apply the newly scented baking soda to underarms.
- Shave regularly under your arms. Underarm hair can increase body odor because it traps sweat and bacteria. Hair holds the bacteria that mix with sweat to create body odor. however, we recommend that if you use aluminum-containing antiperspirants, you shave at night and hold off on using the antiperspirant till morning, giving your body overnight to heal tiny nicks. Or simply to shower at least once a day to wash away bacteria that collect on your skin, as well as on pubic and underarm hair.
- Eat more fruits and vegetables. Eat plenty of spinach, chard, and kale. Green, leafy vegetables are rich in chlorophyll, which has a powerful deodorizing effect in your body. Vegetarians are said to smell sweeter than people who eat a lot of meat.
- If you have stinky feet, sprinkle them with moisture-absorbing cornstarch after your shower. Change your socks often – and go barefoot whenever you can to air out your feet.