Body odour can simply be defined as a fetid or offensive smell that oozes out of a person’s body whenever they sweat.
While sweating – a process meant to cool down your body and prevent overheating – is supposed to be odorless, bacteria on the skin can take advantage of it by using it to breed and multiply. When this happens, the result is the unpleasant odour that follows.
Having an offensive body odour can really be a strong cause of concern as the downsides can range from random embarrassment to lifelong stigmatization.
If you’ve been battling this challenge then you’re in luck, as we will be discussing five natural remedy options that can help you in your battle against this menace.
But first, why does it even smell so bad in the first place?
Causes of body odour
Just as we mentioned earlier, sweating happens when our body secretes fluid from our sweat glands onto our skin. However, body odour happens when the sweat mixes up with the bacteria on the body, thereby sparking up a reaction.
Apart from this, there are a few other factors that can affect the smell of our body and cause it to stink. Some of these are obesity, genetics, humid conditions, stress and exercise
While there are myriads of deodorants and antiperspirant options, loading your body with all sorts of chemicals is never a wise move, as it will always tell on the body sooner or later. If you’re tired of doing the same the thing over again and are willing to try the natural route, below are five proven options.
Stay hydrated
Drinking plenty of water can help in flushing out harmful toxins from the body and reduce odour-causing bacteria. It also prevents bacteria from building up strongholds in the body system.
Lemon
Its no secret that lemons are highly acidic. This makes them a great option in combating body odour as the acidic content will help balance pH level and also help in exfoliation: taking off the dead cells from the skin.
The armpits are the biggest contributors to body odour as they are positioned in a more visible place that allows for easy diffusion of smell into the air.
Simply cut a lemon in half and rub your underarms with it: you might want to mix lemon juice with water to reduce chances of skin irritation. Leave it to dry and then wash off with enough water.
Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is another substance with high acidic content that can be taken advantage of, just like lemons.
The acidic content in ACV would help to kill off odour-causing bacteria and help leave your skin fresh and squeaky clean.
Simply dip a piece of cotton wool in apple cider vinegar and use to wipe your underarms and groins.
Unlike lemon, you might not need to wash off with water afterwards, as apple cider evaporates by itself after a few minutes; but if you feel uncomfortable with the idea of leaving it unwashed, you can rinse it off.
Baking soda
Baking soda as a Talc? Yes, please. Baking soda is well known for its ability to inhibit bacteria growth and eliminate foul odour. It has been used over the years to eliminate shoe stinks, deodorize refrigerators and also kitchen utensils.
It can also be counted on to help kill off body odour as it has been proven to aid in the absorption of sweat, balancing of pH and inhibition of bacterial growth. The result of these is an odorless, fresher smelling sweat.
To apply this, you can either choose to pat a little amount under your armpits like a talcum powder or make a thick mixture of it with water before using – both methods work just fine. Leave it for a few minutes to dry and work its magic before washing off with generous amount of water.
Rub fresh tomatoes
The antiseptic content in tomatoes is another option that can be used as a weapon in the fight against body odour. They have proven to be helpful in eliminating different strains of bacteria, including the ones responsible for body stinks. They also aid in removing dead skins off the surface of the body.
Simply rub a slice of tomato on your armpits and rinse off after about 10 minutes.
Conclusion
Sweating is absolutely natural, as our body needs it to cool itself down in hot conditions. It is also important to note that it is unrealistic for sweat to be as odourless as water as it contains other components like salt, fats, etc., which would definitely have a slight impact on its smell. However, it is not okay for sweat to have a strong odour. If this has been a challenge, then you can try out some of the options above and choose one that works best for you.
If body odour persists, don’t hesitate to see a health practitioner as it could be a result of an underlying medical condition that needs urgent care.
