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So powerful is our cultural distaste for body odor that every day, some 95 percent of all Americans over the age of 12 reach for one product or another that will enable them to feel safe and secure in the company of others.
Body odor begins with sweat. The body has two types of sweat glands, and both types produce sweat that is made up largely of water. The eccrine glands, which are located on almost every part of the body, produce the sweat that cools the body. The apocrine glands, which are located in the armpits, around the nipples, and in the groin, produce sweat whose function is not clear.
One thing is obvious, however. The sweat from the apocrine glands can make you stink. The reason is that apocrine sweat contains a substantial amount of oil, which provides food for bacteria. It's this bacterial feeding frenzy that creates the odor that keeps others at a distance.
Despite some unpleasant side effects, sweating is actually an invaluable part of keeping your body cool -- even bacteria has many positive contributions to our lives. Well, if you can't stop sweating and you can't stop bacteria, what can you do? You can try some of the following home remedies, which will help keep your body odor from announcing your presence to those far and near.
 ©2007 Publications International, Ltd. The best way to prevent body odor is to wash away sweat and bacteria. |
Bathe your britches. Sweat that seeps into your clothing may remind you of its presence at very inopportune times. What's more, once it has dried, bacteria-containing sweat can damage the fibers of your clothing. Wear clean clothing, socks, and underwear every day. If you sweat a lot, wear clothing made of cotton, linen, or other natural material, which helps absorb sweat and facilitate airflow.
Try a deodorant. For milder cases of body odor, a deodorant may help. Deodorants are considered cosmetics. Most contain a substance that helps kill the bacteria that are waiting to feed on your sweat. They may also help mask body odor by substituting a more acceptable scent.
Get tough with an antiperspirant. Since body odor begins with sweat, one of the best ways to control it is to reduce the amount of sweat. That's what antiperspirants are for.
Antiperspirants are classified by the Food and Drug Administration as over-the-counter drugs because they are intended to alter a natural body function; namely, they decrease the production of eccrine sweat. (While apocrine sweat contains the oil upon which bacteria feed, neither an antiperspirant nor a deodorant can decrease apocrine sweat.) By decreasing the production of eccrine sweat, antiperspirants help keep you drier, thus reducing the moisture that creates a fertile breeding ground for bacteria. For added protection, antiperspirants usually also contain an antibacterial agent that fights odors.
Beat irritation and odor. If you've tried antiperspirants and deodorants and found that they irritate your skin, you might instead try washing with an antibacterial soap such as chlorhexidine (Hibiclens) or applying an over-the-counter antibiotic ointment. Other options for sensitive skin include using talcum powder or baking soda in place of an antiperspirant or deodorant.
Quiet your diet. Certain foods, such as hot peppers, can affect the amount of sweat an individual produces. And the aroma of other pungent foods, such as garlic, onions, spices, and alcohol, can be carried in your sweat.
 ©2007 Publications International, Ltd. Certain foods, such as hot peppers, can affect the amount and aroma of sweat an individual produces. |
Tone down that temper. Anger, anxiety, and excitement also increase production of sweat. Consider learning and practicing a technique, such as meditation or visualization, that can help you maintain your calm under stressful circumstances.
By following these home remedies, anybody can take in the sweet smell of success when it comes to defeating body odor.
For more information about body odor and how to combat it, try the following links:
- To see all of our home remedies and the conditions they treat, go to our main Home Remedies page.
- Read, also, about Home Remedies for Bad Breath.
- Check out our Home Remedies for Flatulence.
- Finally, go to Home Remedies for Foot Odor.
Timothy Gower is a freelance writer and editor whose work has appeared in many publications, including Reader's Digest, Prevention, Men's Health, Better Homes and Gardens, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times. The author of four books, Gower is also a contributing editor for Health magazine.
Alice Lesch Kelly is a health writer based in Boston. Her work has been published in magazines such as Shape, Fit Pregnancy, Woman's Day, Reader's Digest, Eating Well, and Health. She is the co-author of three books on women's health.
Linnea Lundgren has more than 12 years experience researching, writing, and editing for newspapers and magazines. She is the author of four books, including Living Well With Allergies.
Michele Price Mann is a freelance writer who has written for such publications as Weight Watchers and Southern Living magazines. Formerly assistant health and fitness editor at Cooking Light magazine, her professional passion is learning and writing about health.
ABOUT THE CONSULTANTS:
Ivan Oransky, M.D., is the deputy editor of The Scientist. He is author or co-author of four books, including The Common Symptom Answer Guide, and has written for publications including the Boston Globe, The Lancet, and USA Today. He holds appointments as a clinical assistant professor of medicine and as adjunct professor of journalism at New York University.
David J. Hufford, Ph.D., is university professor and chair of the Medical Humanities Department at Pennsylvania State University's College of Medicine. He also is a professor in the departments of Neural and Behavioral Sciences and Family and Community Medicine. Dr. Hufford serves on the editorial boards of several journals, including Alternative Therapies in Health & Medicine and Explore.
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.
