Body Odour - Controlling Body Odour

It is an offensive smell that comes from different areas of our bodies. Perspiration is a salty liquid, which oozes out of the pores in our skin. It is the smell of bacteria growing on the body. These bacteria multiply considerably in the presence of sweat. Sweating is one of the ways the body adopts to regulate its temperature. It keeps skin moist. Sweat contains a natural antibiotic, dermicidin.

Two types of glands produce sweat, they are:

• "eccrine" glands
• "apocrine" glands

These glands produce proteins and oily substances that bacteria feed on. Hyperhidrosis ( excessive sweating ) is a sign of an overactive thyroid or drug side effect but in most cases, no obvious cause is found. Some areas of the skin, such as the armpits and genitals, are more likely to produce body odour because the sweat glands in these areas are slightly different.

Our sweat has no odour of its own. It usually smells bad only when the bacteria act on the sweat after reaching the skin surface. It is also called as bromhidrosis. Body odor is associated with the hair, feet, anus, skin in general, breasts, armpits, genitals and pubic hair. Body odour is mainly influenced by diet, gender, genetics, health, medication, occupation, and mood.

Controlling Body Odour:

The possible ways of controlling body odour includes:-

• Body odour can be controlled by avoiding synthetic clothes because cotton is cooler than synthetic.
• Body odour can be reduced by avoiding tight fitting clothes.
• By avoiding hot drinks and hot crowded places, you may get rid of perspiration.
• Regularly cleanse your body with medicated cleansers if possible.
• Body odour can be controlled by applying anti-body odour products. These includes: antiperspirants, deodorants and perfumes.
  Antiperspirants contain aluminium salts which reduce the release of sweat by closing the sweat ducts. Deodorants contain an antiseptic to combat bacteria.They do reduce odour but do not cut down the sweating.
• The perspiration problem is mostly seen in the obese person. So, it can be come in undercontrol by loseing excessive weight and take regular exercise.
• Natural remedies such as supplements containing horsetail or sage may help to get rid of body odour.
• Essential oils of rose, clary sage, ginger, lemon, cypress or nutmeg can be diluted and used to disguise body odour naturally.
• Perspiration can be avoided, by take bathe at least once daily with an antibacterial soap such as Safeguard or Dial. In a severe case, you might try a prescription soap such as pHisoHex.
• Use a deodorant with aluminium or zinc. These metals helps in avoiding the odour-causing bacteria. Extremely heavy sweaters should use an antiperspirant/deodorant containing aluminium chloride.
• Avoid the regular consumption of spicy or sharp-smelling foods. The odour comes through the pores
• You should wear clean and dry clothes, because bacteria can survive in damp clothing.
• Wash and thoroughly dry your feet regularly. Wear open sandals or bare feet where possible.
• Chlorhexidine can be used to wash feet and under the arms, and kills the bacteria that cause BO.
• Surgery can be take in action in severe cases, by removing a small area of skin from the armpit, to remove some sweat glands.
• Botox, that can also be used as a treatment for hyperhidrosis. A small amount of botox is injected into the skin near the armpit.
• Let your feet breathe whenever possible. Take your shoes off when you're at home.