Body odour is a common problem that can affect any of us; it can be embarrassing and sometimes also affect the quality of life. But the root cause of the odour isn’t sweat. Body odour is the result of bacteria on the skin breaking down protein molecules in our sweat. This is the reason it can be more aggravating for people who sweat more.
Though odour from armpits, belly button, feet, etc., can sometimes indicate underlying health issues, it can often be controlled with a few lifestyle and hygiene improvements. This article explores in detail some tips on how to keep body odour in check. Let’s get started.
Use Antiperspirant Every Day
It is our first instinct to spray on deodorant to prevent odour but we do not give much thought to antiperspirants. Antiperspirants stop sweat by plugging the sweat glands. You can apply it the night before to let it start working in the morning. The deodorant additionally fights the odour once you start sweating again.
You can choose a medical-grade antiperspirant that reduces the odour-causing bacteria in combination with a good deodorant and you would be good to go.
Create a Laundry Routine
Sleepwear, bedsheets, towels, etc., accumulate a lot of bacteria very quickly unless you’re using copper-infused apparel like anti-microbial bath towels that contain self-sterilising and anti-bacterial properties that don’t require frequent washing unless you find it dirty. And if you keep using these dirty fabrics, they would stay on your skin and cause more odour. Therefore, it is important to have a good laundry routine to ensure that clothing or everyday-use items are healthy for your skin. Here are some useful tips:
- Wash dirty laundry as soon as possible; letting the sweat sink in makes it difficult to get rid of the smell
- Make sure you are washing your towels often; also throw in bedsheets and covers every 2-3 days
- Add a cup of vinegar or baking soda to the load to get rid of tough odours
- Wash clothes inside out so the detergent can wash off sweat and bacteria completely
- Try air-drying or drying clothes under the sun instead
Have a Body Hair Removal Routine
Excess hair doesn’t let the skin breathe and makes people sweat even more. It also traps moisture, making your body a perfect place for bacteria to multiply. Hence, it is important to control body hair by trimming it regularly, especially on body parts where you tend to get sweatier. This prevents bacteria to grow and reduces the odour.
Choose Breathable Clothing
Natural fabrics like cotton and bamboo are the perfect pieces of clothing to fight off the problem of body odour. These fabrics are breathable and allow the sweat to be evaporated instead of staying trapped within the clothing.
Choosing comfortable and light clothing would help control excessive sweating as well as the smell from bacterial growth.
Check Your Diet
Did you know that our body odour can be because of what we eat? By controlling what you eat, you can also control your body odour to a great extent. Combine it with other tips and you may get rid of the problem completely.
Here are some Do’s and Don’ts you can follow in your diet:
Do’s
- Herbs
- Fruits and non-sulfurous vegetables
- Yoghurt
- Kombucha
- Pickles
- Kefir
- Fresh sauerkraut
Don’ts
- Foods with garlic and onion
- Spicy foods
- Too much red meat
- Sulfurous vegetables like broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower
- Processed foods
- Excess caffeine and alcohol
Avoid Excess Stress
You may have experienced fear or anxiety sweat at some point. It is caused by the apocrine glands and is often the main cause of body odour. When we are stressed or anxious, we are in survival mode. This activates the sweat glands making us sweat and likely to smell bad.
To alleviate stress or anxiety, you can try activities like brisk walking in the fresh air, yoga, meditation, etc. Relaxation activities like these can help you achieve a state of calm and not feel so stressed all the time.
Conclusion
Body odour is an everyday problem for many people to an extent that it doesn’t let them enjoy several activities like others. But with the combined use of the tips above, anyone can be well-armed to defeat it.
However, if body odour persists despite better lifestyle and hygiene routines, make sure to get a health checkup done by a medical expert. This is also recommended if you notice sudden changes in your body odour or are sweating more than usual.
Stay on top of your health and stay consistent.
Author Bio:
Rory Donnelly – Rory is the R&D Director and passionate entrepreneur, fascinated by the workings of the human body and natural solutions for common health problems. He’s single-minded in his aim to make Copper Defence a brand that’s recognized across the globe, by partnering with global brands to make these high-tech materials easily accessible for everyone. If you’d like to get in touch, email Rory at Rory@copperclothing.com or visit copperclothing.com for copper-infused clothing, pet accessories and more.