Body odour is what smells or what people perceive when your sweat comes in contact with the bacteria on your skin . Sweat itself doesn’t smell but when the bacteria on your skin mix with your sweat, it causes an odour. The level at which you sweat doesn’t necessarily impact your body odor. That’s why a person can have an unpleasant body odour but not be sweaty & another person can sweat profusely but not smell. This is because body odour is as a result of the type of bacteria on your skin and how that bacteria interacts with sweat, not the sweat itself.
Sweating is the secretion of fluids by sweat glands onto your skin surface.
What causes body odour?
Exercise.
Stress or anxiety.
Hot weather.
Being overweight.
Genetics.
Why does my sweat smell bad?
There can be several reasons your sweat smells bad.
E.G:
Some medications, supplements or foods can make your sweat smell badly. Remember, the sweat itself isn’t what smells. It's the bacteria ono your skin combined with the sweat.Several medical conditions and diseases are associated with changes in a person’s usual body scent:
-Diabetes .
-Gout .
-Menopause
-Overactive thyroid .
-Liver disease .
-Kidney disease .
-Infectious diseases
Some foods may also cause body odour
The saying, “you are what you eat,” may apply to body odor. If you eat food rich in sulfur you may develop body odour. Sulfur smells like rotten eggs. When it’s secreted from your body in your sweat, it can put off an unpleasant smell.
Examples of sulfur-rich foods are:
Onions.
Garlic.
Cabbage.
Broccoli.
Cauliflower.
Red meat.
Treatments for excessive sweating and body odor depend on the underlying cause, which your healthcare provider can determine through a physical exam and blood or urine tests.
. Sweat production decreases when your body
receives a signal that your sweat glands are full. These include
over-the-counter, as well as prescription, antiperspirants.
Try removing overly smelly foods from your diet or pay attention to
if specific foods make your body odor worse. Garlic, onions and
alcohol are a few examples of food that may make your sweat smell
more unpleasant.
Find ways to reduce your stress levels. Stress can cause your
apocrine glands to activate.
HOW TO GET RID OF BODY ODOUR NATURALLY
-Proper cleaning/Personal hygiene :
Bathing and proper cleaning of the body regularly is necessary to avoid growth of bad smelling microorganisms. Bath at least once a day and dry yourself properly. Keep your armpits shaved, so sweat evaporates quickly and doesn’t have as much time to interact with bacteria. Hair is a breeding ground for bacteria.
-Regularly wash clothing & wearing of clean clothes.
Wear loose-fitting clothing made of cotton. This allows your skin to breathe. This rule also applies to underwear and bras. Moisture-wicking (fabric that can pull moisture away from your skin) clothing is
also helpful.
-Baking soda
Make a paste with water & baking soda & apply the mixture on your armpit & let it dry. Baking soda balances the acid on your skin & reduces odours.
-Green tea :
Put green tea bags in warm water. Place the soaked tea bags under your armpits for several minutes a day. Green tea may help block the open pores closely to reduce excessive sweating.
-White vinegar
Mix white vinegar with a small amount of
water in a spray bottle. Spray the mixture onto your armpits. The acid in vinegar helps kill bacteria.
-Lemon juice :
Squeeze lemon & extract the juice. Mix the juice and water and keep in a spray bottle. Spray themixture under your arms. The citric acid in lemon juice also kills bacteria.
-
-Healthy diet
Depletion of necessary digestive enzymes such as mono-oxygenases can cause body odor. A diet rich in probiotic foods may help keep the gut healthy and maintain all the necessary enzymes required for proper digestion of food.