Find helpful tips to help you get rid of that offensive body odor and get back your confidence…
1. Improved personal hygiene
Poor hygiene can make the apocrine glands (located in the underarms, genitals, and around the nipples) and eccrine glands (located in the underarms, hands, and feet) emit an offensive odor when they interact with bacteria building up on the skin.
Therefore, bathe at least once a day and twice on hot days with antibacterial soap and warm water, paying particular attention to areas prone to sweat. It’s also a good idea to disinfect your bath water to foster getting rid of bacteria colonies on your skin. Disinfecting bath water with hydrogen peroxide or cider vinegar works for those with very offensive body odor.
Also, always wear clean, breathable clothing and underwear, and shave your armpits regularly. Doing this aids quicker sweat evaporation, giving bacteria less time to break down sweat.
Maintaining proper scalp and hair hygiene also help prevent foul smell.
Also, read: Personal hygiene care for women
2. Reduce the intake of spicy foods.
Strong-smelling spices such as curry, garlic, and onions can make your sweat smell, so, if you have body odor, cut their intake to the barest minimum.
It is also said that excessive intake of red meat, alcohol, and caffeine may make body odor worse, so watch your intake of those as well.
It is also said that excessive intake of red meat, alcohol, and caffeine may make body odor worse, so watch your intake of those as well.
3. Regular exercise.
Accumulation of toxins in the body over time can trigger body odor, therefore, engage in regular exercise to enable you to sweat out toxins and avoid further build up.
Aiming for at least 30 minutes of exercise daily will help detoxify your body. Take a shower afterward and avoid putting previously worn clothes back on.
Aiming for at least 30 minutes of exercise daily will help detoxify your body. Take a shower afterward and avoid putting previously worn clothes back on.
Here are some tips to stay motivated to exercise
4. Dry your body properly after bathing.
Bacteria thrive in moist or wet areas, therefore, after bathing, take time to dry your body, especially odor prone parts, including your private areas, armpits, and feet, with a clean towel.
Also, make sure to always have a clean handkerchief handy to wipe off sweat in the day.
Also, make sure to always have a clean handkerchief handy to wipe off sweat in the day.
5. Let your feet breathe.
Smelly feet can announce your arrival or presence in the most humiliating way. Routinely, soak your feet in warm water with a bit of salt to kill bacteria giving that offensive smell.
Always wear clean shoes as well and avoid keeping your feet in them all day to prevent moisture build-up which encourages bacteria to breed.
You may also use an anti-fungal spray for your shoes. Powdering your feet too helps absorb sweat and keep your feet dry.
Always wear clean shoes as well and avoid keeping your feet in them all day to prevent moisture build-up which encourages bacteria to breed.
You may also use an anti-fungal spray for your shoes. Powdering your feet too helps absorb sweat and keep your feet dry.
6. Drink lots of water.
This helps you sweat out toxins and keep your skin properly hydrated. If a build-up of toxins is responsible for your body odor, drinking lots of water, at least 8 glasses per day, in addition to regular exercise may be all you need to get rid of that foul smell for good.
HERE IS HOW YOU USE WATER TO PRESERVE HEALTH
7. Eat foods rich in probiotics.
Including yogurt with lots of live and active cultures in your diet, for instance, over a 6-month period may help promote the growth of healthy bacteria which will curtail the activities of those bacteria causing a foul smell.
Here are a few natural remedies you may also try out:
Lemon juice.
Its acidic property helps restrain the growth of bacteria. Apply on odor prone areas with a clean cotton ball daily.
Lime juice, which is more acidic, is also said to be very effective. Cut the lime into half and apply directly to your armpits daily before bedtime. Wash off during bath next morning and apply a good quality roll-on antiperspirant. Read more health benefits of lemons.
Lime juice, which is more acidic, is also said to be very effective. Cut the lime into half and apply directly to your armpits daily before bedtime. Wash off during bath next morning and apply a good quality roll-on antiperspirant. Read more health benefits of lemons.
Apple cider vinegar.
This can reduce foul smell and help lower the pH level of the skin, preventing skin bacteria from breeding. Add one cup to lukewarm bath water or apply on your armpits with a clean cotton ball. Allow to dry and rinse off during bath or shower.
Avoid this option if you have sensitive skin or test on a small patch of skin first to see reaction before proceeding. Do not apply to broken skin.
Avoid this option if you have sensitive skin or test on a small patch of skin first to see reaction before proceeding. Do not apply to broken skin.
Mint bath.
Boiling mint leaves in four cups of water, adding to bath water and soaking in it for 10 minutes once every two days is also said to help as its antiseptic properties kill odor-causing skin bacteria and reduce the level of toxins in the skin.
Baking soda.
This may also help absorb sweat, reduce body odor and kill bacteria. Mix a tablespoon baking soda with lemon juice and apply to your underarms and other sweat prone areas for a few minutes. Wash off with water without scrubbing and take a shower or bath. Repeat this once daily.