They say that people with body odor are not aware of their own pungent smell, maybe because they have grown immune to it. Their main clue is when they start to notice that the people around them begin to disappear one by one as soon as they enter a room. Body odor can put a dent on one’s confidence level and can seriously affect a person’s social life.

Body Odor is actually caused by the accumulation of bacteria on the surface of our skin and is more potent around the armpits and the genitals. If a person has body odor, the immediate rationale is to load up on deodorants, which is actually a big no-no because it can make the condition worse because it contains several toxic chemicals and heavy metal products such as aluminum. Sadly, a generous spray of your favorite cologne or perfume will not do the trick either. So the question remains: If deodorants and fragrances are not the best way to treat body odor, then what is? Here are Five Simple Home Remedies to Body Odor.

1. Observe Proper Hygiene

   Several people have body odor because they don’t take bath often enough to wash away the bacteria on their body. Bathing constitutes the use of water, soap and shampoo and it’s not considered a bath if the deed lasts only for less than five minutes. It is also recommended that you take a shower every single day. To eradicate the nasty and pungent smell of body odor, you should take your time in washing the sensitive parts of your body which are prone to sweating – the armpits and the genital area. It is best to use a mild or natural soap with warm water and meticulously scrub the designated areas.

2. Dry yourself thoroughly

   Bacteria are the main culprits in body odor, and these increase their population in areas that are wet, so make sure that you keep yourself dry. After taking a bath make sure that you pat yourself dry thoroughly especially your armpits and the genital area which are prone to sweating. If you sweat a lot, bring an extra towel with you so that you can wipe your sweat off or better yet, pack an extra set of clothes so that you can readily change when you start to perspire a lot.

3. Keep your clothes clean

   If you have body odor it is imperative that you wash your clothes pronto! Don’t wait for a day or two, because those odor-causing bacteria will continue to breed in your clothes thus worsening the condition.

   It is best if you hand wash your clothes rather than machine was it, with the use of an antibacterial powder. Before washing, soak your clothes for thirty minutes up to an hour. After that, wash them manually, especially in the areas around the armpit, and remember to wash your underwear as well with the same gusto. Once done, soak your laundry again for another thirty minutes up to an hour, then rinse thoroughly, and let it dry, preferably under the heat of the sun dry since it helps in killing those nasty bacteria. Once your clothes are dry, make sure to iron them, once again focusing in the areas around the armpit. However, if your clothes still emit a nasty odor, this simply means that you have not washed it thoroughly so you would have to repeat the steps all over again.

4. Watch your diet.

   Often, you would hear someone say, “You are what you eat.” The general state of your overall health is partly determined by what you feed your body. Some of the foods that you eat, sadly, can also cause body odor. If you have body odor it is best to avoid foods such as cumin, curry, garlic, and spicy foods. Also, refrain from eating foods that have too much fat and oil. Fats and oils are being eliminated by our body through the process of urinating and sweating, now combine it with spices that were aforementioned – it is indeed a pungent combination.

   In addition, if you’re suffering from Zinc deficiency then this too can cause body odor, because Zinc helps in the detoxification process and on waste management. At the same time, the type and amount of your perspiration can be altered if you have sugar and caffeine imbalance. Instead of eating too much spices, fats and oil, eat food that are rich in Zinc such as bran, pine and pecan nuts, shellfish, oysters, wheat germ, liver, and eggs. Green leafy vegetables are also potent against body odor and remember to drink lots of water instead of soda and caffeinated beverages.

5. Go natural

   Deodorants contain a chemical product called aluminum that impedes perspiration which can then clog your sweat glands. Once this product accumulates in your nervous system, this may cause other health disorders associated with aluminum toxicity such as Alzheimer’s disease, problems in the liver and kidneys, osteoporosis and memory loss. That’s why it is best to go organic or natural. You can wipe the sensitive areas with vinegar which is potent in killing body odor causing bacteria. Baking soda is another potent remedy for the condition since it helps eradicates bacteria and absorbs sweat.

Bear in mind that women and man have distinct body smells. Men tend to smell more potent and stronger than women because of the male’s elevated testosterone levels. Testosterone is known to influence the apocrine glands, which is why men tend to perspire more. However, some guys just have a more pungent odor compared to others, and once again, this is due to poor hygiene.

Women on the other hand are meticulous when it comes to hygiene. Some takes up to an hour to do their hair, and much longer when they take a bath. Furthermore, men that are middle-aged, or approaching middle-age, produces a substance known as noneal which produces additional bad odors. Women too, but they don’t stink as much. Men are also more physical – they go to the gym, play sports, run. They are mainly attracted to high-intensity activities that causes them to sweat a lot. Women on the other hand have a much more placid way of life – well, for some.

But no matter what your gender or race is, if you don’t practice proper hygiene and a well balanced diet, then you can’t escape the pungent smell of body odor. So start the habit of being clean and fresh every day because ultimately, it all boils down to proper hygiene.

Sources
natural-homeremedies.com
kidshealth.org
askmen.com
home-remedies-for-you.com
howtodothings.com
weightlossforall.com