How to Get Rid of Body Odour Naturally
You may feel shy or uncomfortable because of your body odour, but it”s a normal thing that everyone experiences. You can control your body odour naturally by making some simple adjustments to your daily habits. Instead of just covering up the smell with a deodorant, you can prevent it by keeping your body clean and eating well. This will help you get rid of the bacteria on your skin that cause the odour. But if you notice that you sweat more than normal or that your body odour is different, you should consult a doctor.
Method 1 of 3: Maintaining Personal Hygiene
1. Bathe at least once per day. The most effective way to get rid of body odour is to wash away the sweat and bacteria that cause it. Use soap and water to scrub your entire body, especially the areas that tend to sweat more, such as your armpits, groin, feet, and chest. Rinse off well and pat yourself dry with a clean towel.
2. Dry your body thoroughly. Moisture can create a breeding ground for bacteria, so make sure you dry yourself completely after bathing. Pay extra attention to the folds of your skin, such as under your breasts, between your toes, or in your belly button. You can also use a hair dryer in a cool setting to dry hard-to-reach areas.
3. Trim excess body hair to help stop bacteria growth. Hair can trap sweat and dirt, which can increase the chances of developing body odour. If you have long or thick hair on your armpits, pubic area, legs, or chest, consider trimming it with scissors or shaving it off with a razor. This will help keep your skin cleaner and fresher.
4. Put on deodorant and antiperspirant. Deodorant masks the smell of body odour with a pleasant fragrance, while antiperspirant blocks the sweat glands and reduces the amount of sweat produced. You can use either one or both depending on your preference and needs. Apply them to your armpits and any other areas that tend to sweat a lot.
5. Wear clean, breathable or moisture-wicking clothing. Dirty clothes can harbour bacteria and make you smell worse, so change into fresh clothes every day and after exercising or sweating heavily. Choose fabrics that allow air to circulate and wick away moisture from your skin, such as cotton, linen, silk, or synthetic blends designed for sports.
6. Put on antibacterial socks if you have foot odour. Foot odour is caused by bacteria that feed on sweat and dead skin cells on your feet. To prevent this, wear socks that have antibacterial properties or are made of natural fibres that absorb moisture and keep your feet dry. You can also sprinkle some baking soda or cornstarch into your shoes to absorb odours.
Method 2 of 3: Changing Your Diet and Lifestyle
1. Eliminate spicy or strong-smelling foods from your diet. Some foods can affect the way you smell by altering the chemistry of your sweat or breath. These include garlic, onion, curry, cumin, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, fish, eggs, cheese, alcohol, and coffee. Try to avoid these foods or eat them in moderation if you want to reduce your body odour.
2. Cut seafood out of your diet if your body odour has a fishy smell. A fishy smell can be a sign of a rare genetic condition called trimethylaminuria (TMAU), which prevents your body from breaking down a compound called trimethylamine (TMA). TMA is found in seafood and some other foods and it builds up in your body and causes a foul odour when you sweat or urinate. If you have this condition, you should avoid seafood and other foods high in TMA, such as eggs, liver, kidney, beans, and peas.
3. Drink water to help flush toxins out of your system. Water helps your body function properly and eliminates waste products that can cause odours. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water per day, or more if you exercise or sweat a lot. You can also drink herbal teas, fruit juices, or coconut water to stay hydrated.
4. Avoid smoking or drinking alcoholic beverages. Smoking and drinking can affect your body odour in several ways. They can dry out your mouth and cause bad breath, alter the pH of your skin and make it more attractive to bacteria, and increase the production of sweat and toxins that cause odours. Quitting smoking and drinking can improve your health and your smell.
5. Try meditation or yoga to relax and destress. Stress can trigger your sweat glands to produce more sweat, which can lead to more body odour. To reduce stress, try some relaxation techniques, such as meditation, yoga, breathing exercises, or listening to soothing music. These can help you calm your mind and body, and lower your heart rate and blood pressure.
Method 3 of 3: When to Seek Medical Care
1. Get medical care for a rash or irritation caused by natural products. Some natural products, such as essential oils, vinegar, lemon juice, or baking soda, may cause allergic reactions or skin irritation in some people. If you notice any redness, itching, burning, swelling, or blisters after using a natural product, stop using it and see your doctor. You may need to use a different product or get a prescription for a medicated cream.
2. Consult your doctor if you suddenly start sweating more. Excessive sweating, or hyperhidrosis, can be a sign of an underlying medical condition, such as diabetes, thyroid problems, infections, hormonal imbalances, or nervous system disorders. It can also be a side effect of some medications, such as antidepressants, antihistamines, or blood pressure drugs. If you notice that you sweat more than usual or for no apparent reason, talk to your doctor about the possible causes and treatments.
3. Talk to your doctor if your body odour changes. A change in your body odour can indicate a change in your health or metabolism. For example, a fruity smell can be a sign of diabetes, a musty smell can be a sign of liver or kidney disease, and a bleach-like smell can be a sign of kidney failure. If you notice a new or unusual odour from your body, breath, or urine, see your doctor as soon as possible.
4. Schedule a doctor’s appointment if you have unexplained night sweats. Night sweats are episodes of sweating that occur during the night and soak your clothes and bedding. They can be caused by various factors, such as menopause, infections, cancer, medications, or low blood sugar. If you have night sweats that are not related to the temperature of your room or your bedding, see your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment.
5. See your doctor if natural products don’t manage your body odour. Natural products may not work for everyone or every type of body odour. If you have tried different natural remedies and still have persistent or unpleasant body odour, you may need to use stronger products or get a prescription from your doctor. Your doctor may recommend using an antiperspirant with a higher concentration of aluminium chloride, taking oral medications that reduce sweating, or getting injections of botulinum toxin (Botox) to block the nerves that stimulate the sweat glands.
6. Visit your doctor if sweating or body odour interferes with your life. Sweating and body odour can affect your self-esteem, social life, and professional performance. If you feel anxious, depressed, isolated, or embarrassed because of your sweating or body odour, you may have a condition called bromhidrosis, which is excessive or abnormal body odour. Bromhidrosis can be treated with various methods, such as surgery to remove the sweat glands
