Nobody enjoys smelling foul fragrance on someone they are close to or on oneself. We often associate an unpleasant body odor to people who sweat excessively, and though this may be a factor, interestingly, it is always not the case. A very sweaty person may not have an unpleasant body odor but a person who is not always sweaty can have an unfriendly body odor. Here’s why; sweat itself is odorless but a pungent smell is generated when the sweat reacts with bacteria on the skin.

Fluids are secreted unto the surface of the skin as sweat by two main types of sweat glands, which are the eccrine and apocrine glands. The eccrine glands are the main sweat glands of the human body and are found on almost every area of the skin. They are responsible for regulating body temperature as sweat is secreted and are less linked to generating bad body odor.

The apocrine sweat glands, however, are associated with hair follicles and produce fatty or protein-rich sweat, which gives off a foul scent when the sweat comes into contact with the bacteria on the skin. These sweat glands are active during puberty when stimulated by hormonal changes in the body and are mostly found in the armpits and genital areas.

CAUSES

Medical Conditions

Aside the work of the apocrine glands and bacteria, certain health conditions and hormonal changes such as kidney disease, hyperhidrosis (causes one to sweat abnormally), diabetes, menopause, ovulation, liver disease, and overactive thyroid can trigger body odor. Excess ketones or toxin in your blood can also cause bad body smell. Certain medications like antidepressants can also affect body odor.

Food

If you’re guilty of constantly consuming foods which are rich in sulfur or sulfur containing compounds, then you may have body odor issues. These compounds can be secreted through your pores and cause a foul odor when they encounter bacteria on your skin. Such foods include onions, garlic, red meat, cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli. Alcohol, caffeine, spicy foods or spices like curry or cumin and the excessive consumption of protein can also trigger unpleasant body odor.

Other Factors

The following can also cause a change in a person’s body odor:

• Obesity
• Rigorous work outs
• Anxiety or stress
• Genetics
• Hot weather

UNPLEASANT BODY ODOR PREVENTION

Preventing bad body odor can be achieved by basically making good personal hygiene and lifestyle a priority. Check out the following practices:

• Take a bath at least twice daily with antibacterial soap. Make sure to clean very well the areas where you usually sweat the most, like the underarms.
• Keep hairy areas (armpits and genitals) shaved.
• Avoid tight-fitting clothing. Preferably, put on clothes and undergarments made of cotton.
• Wash clothes and undergarments frequently. As much as possible, avoid repeating unwashed clothes.
• Make use of antiperspirants or deodorants.
• Do away with regularly consuming foods that trigger an unpleasant smell.
• Reduce stress level.

It is important to note that the work of bacteria can cause a foul smell in the groin, anus area, belly button, feet, behind the ears as well as the upper thighs, so you might as well pay attention to these areas.

HOME REMEDIES

There are some natural options that may work for unpleasant armpit odor, which include the application of:

• Baking soda and water (paste)
• Lime or lemon juice
• Apple cider vinegar and water
• Green tea

TREATMENT

The under listed medical procedures can also be used to treat bad body odor:

• Antibiotics to decrease bacteria on the skin.
• Botulinum toxin injections in the armpits to stop sweating temporarily (not recommended, should be done by a certified practitioner).
• In severe instances, surgery may be required to remove sweat glands or stop nerve signals from getting to sweat glands.

Having an unpleasant body odor can usually be remedied by adopting proper hygiene and lifestyle practices. If you notice any unexpected and drastic changes in your body odor or sweat pattern, reach out immediately to a medical professional for assistance. You can talk to a pharmacist for assistance on body odor through the chat functionality of the Progpharma app.

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