Body odor can be a big let down and can make people stay away from you. Deodorant sprays are a great way to fight body odor but sometimes even a deodorants are of very little help. Don’t worry we have some simple and natural approaches which you can try to keep away that bad body odor from ruining your otherwise beautiful day.
Why Body odor?
Body odor has many sources but the most prominent one among them is sweat. Naturally, body odor supposed to do the job of attracting the opposite sex, but with advancements in our lifestyles and practices, body odor can actually repel people away from you. Our body produces two types of sweat. One that is secreted by Eccrine glands and the other type is secreted by Apocrine glands. Sweat from Eccrine glands have a neutral smell, it is mainly secreted to keep your body cool and it evaporates faster. On the contrary, sweat from Apocrine glands are quite smelly and it is a heaven for many bacterias. It is usually secreted in your underarms, and genitals when you are under stress, going through ovulation, sexually excited etc. During these times Apocrine glands work at its peak capacity pumping out those smelly fluids from your body.
There are also certain drugs that induce body odor like Effexor and Wellbutrin.
Choose the right soap
Anti-bacterial soaps are the best option when you have severe body odor. These soaps will leave some anti-bacterial agents in your body after bathing that fights odor causing bacterias. If you find it drying out your skin, then you can use it only on areas that are more prone to smelly sweat like underarms and groin. If you find a particular anti-bacterial soap irritating your skin, then try a different brand.
Betadine: Sometimes body odor can become so aggressive that it doesn’t fade away with anti-bacterial soap. If you find yourself in such a position then you can try using Betadine cleanser. If you are not familiar with it, it is used for patients before they head to surgery. It is a powerful anti-bacterial solution. Just apply some solution on armpits and groin region and leave it for few seconds and wash it off while taking bath in the morning. Betadine is known to dry out your skin, so use plenty of water in the applied area to clean it off. After this, you can finish your bath with using an anti-bacterial or regular soap.
Hibiclens: This formulation is little gentle on your skin and also anti-bacterial. If you find Betadine little harsh then you can replace it with Hibiclens.
Alternatives to Deodorant Sprays
- Hydrogen Peroxide: Rub your underarms with some hydrogen peroxide solution after a shower. It inhibits the growth of bacterias and fights bad odor. Alternatively, you can also use rubbing alcohol or Vinegar.
- Witch Hazel: Take a small cotton pad, pour in some witch hazel solution and dab it on armpits. Do this multiple times a day whenever you feel the bad odor is taking over. Witch hazel solution has drying and bad odor-fighting properties.
- Baking Soda: Spread some baking soda powder to high sweating zones after a shower. Baking soda fights against odor-causing bacterias and it will keep the place dry by absorbing moisture and sweat. You can also use cornstarch replacing baking soda.
- Shave your underarms: Underarm hairs will trap the sweat and moisture content and makes it a heaven for bad odor causing bacterias. So always shave your underarms and ensure it is dry and safe.
When should you seek a Doctor?
Sweating is a natural thing, but excessive and uncontrollable sweating could be a sign of hyperthyroidism, low blood sugar, or some problem with the nervous system that controls sweat glands. If your sweating problems are going out of control then get it treated properly with the help of a Doctor. Sometimes certain drugs could trigger excessive sweating, so ask your Doctor if the problem is related to any drugs you are taking.
Herbal Solutions
- Tea-tree oil is specially taken from a particular type of tree found in Australia. It has a pleasant smell, so you can apply it over the high sweating zones to reduce the odor. But quit using if it is irritating your skin.
- Most essential oils have a pleasant smell, Doctors recommend using lavender, pine, and peppermint oils. But you can practically use any pleasant-smelling essential oil to your armpits and groin areas as long as it doesn’t trigger any allergic reactions.
- Diluted sage oil: Sage herb not only has a pleasant smell but it also has anti-bacterial properties. Apply some diluted sage oil or sage tincture to the armpits. Do not apply sage to your groin areas. Make sure to wash your hands thoroughly after handling sage.
- Lemon: Lemon is rich in citric acid content. When you apply it to your skin, it increases the acidic level of your skin and makes it an unfavorable environment for bacterias to thrive. Just cut the lemon in half and rub it to your armpits and pat it dry with a clean cotton cloth.
Fight Odour with Food
- Eat green leafy vegetables that have high chlorophyll content such as spinach, kale, and chard. These vegetables have deodorizing property so it fights odor inside out.
- Parsley tea: Parsley has anti-odor properties. Prepare a tea by adding some chopped parsley leaves to a cup of water and boiling it for 5 to 7 minutes. Filter out the leaves and drink the tea. You can add some honey if needed. Drink it two to three times a day.
- Wheatgrass juice: It is easily available in food stores. But it is not a favorite drink for many as it has a strong taste. If you are drinking it for the first time dilute it to your desired concentration and have it. As you get used to its taste you can make it more concentrated. Try to drink it on an empty stomach every morning. Sometimes it can be overreacting when had after food.
- Chlorophyll Tablets: If you are a fan of supplements, try to take chlorophyll in tablet form. Follow the dosage instructions on the label before taking it.