Ever found yourself sweating after a workout or just because of the sweltering heat outside, and noticed a peculiar smell? Almost as soon as you smell it, you know what it is - body odour. Body odour is easily one of the most dreaded smells, especially for the person exuding it. Not only is it embarrassing when a smell originating from you makes people turn their noses in the other direction, but it's also just pleasant to be subjected to that smell yourself.
Here's something you should know about body odour - it isn't actually a result of just sweating. Body odour is the foul scent our body gives out when bacteria that live on the skin break down sweat into certain acids. Sweat itself is nearly odourless to humans.
The other thing to know about body odour is that it doesn't just come from the armpits. Body odour can occur anywhere, but is more likely to occur in -
- Feet
- Groin
- Armpits
- Genitals
People who are obese, eat heavily spiced foods, as well as people who suffer from certain medical conditions such as diabetes are said to be more susceptible to body odour.
So how can you prevent body odour? By taking a few of the following measures.
1. Keep yourself clean
Taking a shower daily is important. Making sure that you keep your body clean is a non-negotiable, especially if you're someone battling body odour. More importantly, if you're someone who sweats a lot, make sure to wash your armpits more than just once a day. Using an antibacterial soap, wash your armpits and other susceptible areas before you go to bed and once before you head out of the house. This will result in the number of bacteria being kept low, resulting in less body odour.
2. Wax/Shave your underarms
If you're someone who prefers going the au naturel way, you might not be pleased by this. Getting rid of the hair in your underarms and other excessively sweaty regions is one of the most effective ways to beat unpleasant odour. Bacteria thrive in warm and moist environments and hairy underarms can serve as the perfect habitat. Hair, along with the dirt and oil that are likely to collect in the hair can promote the growth of odour causing bacteria.
3. Apply some apple cider vinegar
Acid, like the one found in apple cider vinegar, helps control the growth of bacteria. The anti-bacterial properties found in apple cider vinegar help kill foul odour. Although, while applying it, you must be cautious and use it sparingly. While apple cider vinegar might reduce the odour causing bacteria, it can also cause irritation to the skin. If you're looking to apply some, use a cotton ball first soaked in water - and make sure you have no cuts, scrapes or burns.
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