One of the common problems we face is that of body odor. Although it is a normal occurrence in human existence, no one likes the smell. There are many reasons for bad body odor and you will be surprised to find out that sweat is not one of them.
Your sweat is quite odorless, but the bacteria on your skin that breaks down the protein molecules in the sweat is what causes the odor. Therefore, people who sweat too much are prone to body odor. This is more likely to occur on the following areas:
- Behind your ears
- Anus
- Bellybutton
- Pubic hairs
- Genitals
- Armpits
- Groin
Feet
Preventing Body Odor
You cannot treat body odor, but you can prevent it by doing the following:
- Use Antiperspirants: This can help to reduce the volume of sweat your body produces and alter the activity of the bacteria that causes the bad smell.
Regular Shaving: Keeping hairs in areas like your armpits may reduce sweat evaporation. This gives bacteria ample time to disintegrate proteins and produce odorants. But when you shave regularly, it will help to control the odor in your underarms.
Take A Proper Bath: You need to take your bath regularly and use a good soap. Also, ensure that you dry yourself thoroughly after bathing.
Proper Dieting: You need to watch the kind of food you eat because there are some foods that cause body odor. Hot pepper, spicy food, alcohol, red meat, and caffeinated beverages will make you perspire more and this leads to body odor. Also, foods like garlic and onion have strong aromas that can be noticed in your sweat.
You can consume more foods that eliminate body odor such as fruits, kefir, pickles, yogurt, and vegetables that do not contain sulphur. Foods that are rich in zinc and magnesium like broccoli, oysters, tofu, pecans, and shellfish can also help.
Natural Remedies For Body Odor
- Rose Water
You can use rose water for body odor because it is a natural astringent. It can reduce the sizes of your skin’s pores, thereby, reducing sweat production. It is very easy to use. Just mix the rose water with your bathing water or apply it to the sweat-prone area, then leave it to dry before washing it off with water.
- Baking Soda
It has the ability to absorb moisture, kill bacteria on your skin, and alkalize your body. So when you use it, it performs triple actions at one go! Take a teaspoon of baking soda and apply it to the sweaty area.
You can also make a paste out of baking soda by mixing it with water before applying it to the affected area. Leave it to seep in for a while before washing it off with water. Ensure you wash it off completely and avoid applying it to your intimate areas.
- Witch Hazel
This is another astringent that contracts the skin pores and reduces sweat production. Apply it on your underarms when you are sweating as it acts like antiperspirants.
- Tomato Juice
This is also an astringent like rosewater and witch hazel. Rub some tomato juice on your armpits during or before a shower to take care of the bad smell. You can also drink 1 to 2 glasses of tomato juice every day.
- Neem Leaves
They have antiseptic, antibacterial, and antifungal properties that remove toxins from the body. They can also eliminate bad smells. Boil fresh neem leaves, then add them to your bathing water.
You can also allow the leaves to dry, then grind them to powder. Make a paste with some water and apply it to the sweat-prone area. Leave it to dry before washing it off. Ensure you pat the area dry with a clean towel.
- Essential Oils
You can make your own deodorant blend using essential oils. Some body odor essential oils are vetiver, patchouli, cedarwood, clove, blood orange, bergamot, geranium, lavender, and ylang-ylang. They possess antibacterial properties and reduce sweat.
You can add some drops of lavender oil or tea tree oil to your bathing water. If the awful smell is quite strong, you can dilute the essential oils with water, then apply them directly to the affected area. Allow them to stay for some time before you wash them off. You can use essential oils daily to achieve the best results.
Be careful as some of you may have sensitive skin and applying the oil directly onto your skin may not be suitable for you.
- Vinegar
You can use both apple cider and white vinegar for body odor. They are both effective and change the skin’s pH in order to destroy the bacteria that causes the bad smell. Simply use cotton balls to dab the vinegar on the sweat-prone area, then rinse after 10 to 15 minutes.
You can also mix the vinegar with water and essential oils like rosemary, peppermint, or sage to form a spray. Mix it thoroughly and store it in a handy spray bottle that you can carry around. In case you forget to apply antiperspirant, this can serve as a deodorant.
Watch What You Eat
As you read earlier, some foods such as onions, garlic, curry and cumin cause body odor. You should also look out for other foods that can trigger excessive sweat, like chili and other spicy foods. The more sweat you have, the more likely you’ll develop a bad body odor. Cutting down on alcohol and caffeine will also prevent you from smelling bad.
Apart from that, there are also foods that eliminate body odor or at least help you smell good. Foods like broccoli, tofu, and pecans, all rich in zinc and magnesium, may help regulate your body’s natural odor.
Wrapping Up
Body odor is a normal occurrence and you do not have to feel bad about yourself. You can try any of the body odor remedies we discussed above to get rid of it. However, if the symptoms don’t go away, you need to consult your doctor because it can be a sign of a health condition.
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