Body odor is the unpleasant smell caused by the mixing of perspiration, or sweat, and bacteria on the skin. Sweat is generally an odorless body secretion. When bacteria multiply on the skin and break down these secretions, however, the resulting by-products may have a strong and disagreeable odor.
Oftentimes, B.O. is due to poor personal hygiene. As such, experts suggest a program of daily bathing, changes in diet, and changes in clothing:
- Dietary changes are also very important in eliminating various sources of odor. Fatty foods, oils, or strong-smelling foods like onion, garlic, and other exotic spices can seep through your pores and cause body odor. Fried and baked goods may contain rancid fats and oils that lead to B.O. Try eliminating these from your diet for a week or two and see if this makes a difference. (Always see a doctor or dietitian before making drastic dietary changes.)
- Another thing that may do the trick is apple cider vinegar. My source said it eliminates under arm body odor when used in place of deodorant because it reduces the pH of the skin. Bacteria can't live in areas with low pH. White vinegar is also helpful. Place some on a cotton ball and apply to the underarms instead of deodorant. The vinegar smell is gone in minutes and you should be smell-free all day.
if you have excessive sweating (called in medical parlance as hyperhidrosis), talk to your doctor. There are many treatment options for those with more severe sweating who desire more permanent treatments.
