What is body odour?
Medically known as bromhidrosis, body odour is a condition in which one’s body emits an unpleasant odour. This happens because the apocrine glands secrete sweat that’s is rich in protein. This is then broken down into acid by bacteria that reside on the skin, causing body odour.
Where does body odour most commonly occur?
In most cases, this troubling skin care concern occurs on the forehead, armpits, groin, lower back, feet and neck.
What causes body odour?
There are numerous causes of body odour which can vary from food products to work stress. So if you experience any of these triggers, it’s highly possible that they are responsible for you raising a stink.
If you drink too much alcohol, it can affect the smell of your sweat. While most alcohol is processed by the liver, what isn’t gets expelled through the sweat glands which can cause an odour.
If you find yourself excessively drenched in sweat, it could be responsible for the odour you’re emitting. More sweat means more protein is secreted. This means more of it is broken down by bacteria, which makes it doubly smelly.
If you skip out on washing your bras often, that’s a clear cause of body odour. As lingerie is the closest point of contact with your body even before your clothes, it traps sweat easily. When left unwashed, the damp fabric becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and leads to an unpleasant odour.
If you are stressed about something, it could actually affect the way you smell. As stress sweat is mainly produced from the apocrine glands, it gives out a fouler odour than the other sweat you expel.
If you eat plenty of onions, garlic and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli and brussels sprouts, do note that they could cause body odour. As they are high in sulphur, they get create a smelly compound which is secreted through the sweat glands.
How do you treat body odour?
To keep body odour under control, follow these precautionary skin care tips.
The right products can stop body odour in its tracks. For that, we recommend the Rexona Shower-Fresh Underarm Roll-On. Its formula prevents body odour for upto 48 hours. Its handy roll-on applicator makes it perfect to slip into your bag for a quick touch-up.
Another odour fighter we recommend is the Dove Original Antiperspirant Deodorant. Its 1/4th moisturising cream keeps underarms smooth while its antiperspirant protection prevents wetness and discomfort. For wonderfully fresh underarms, this is your answer.
When it comes to body odour, hygiene is top priority so ensure that you bathe at least once a day. Post a bath; ensure your body is completely dry when applying skin care products and opt for linen and cotton fabrics. Together, this will prevent the build-up of sweat and bacteria.
If specific foods and drinks like caffeine, alcohol and sulphur rich ingredients trigger your body odour, limit their intake. Even when you do consume such foods, ensure that you drink plenty of water to dilute it once digested.
Image Credits: Giphy
Written by Dayle Pereira on May 02, 2017