6 Strategies To Reduce Unpleasant Body Odor
Don't despair if you've been dealing with chronic unpleasant body odor and can't seem to make it stop. There are several strategies you can use to manage this problem; the medical community even recognizes it as a treatable health disorder known as bromhidrosis. It tends to mainly be associated with excess sweating of the feet and groin area, and under the arms.
Hygiene Throughout the Day
You may need to shower twice a day, such as once when you first get up and again when you get home from work or school. If you tend to have problems midday, bring a combination deodorant and antiperspirant with you. Wash under your arms in a bathroom and reapply the antiperspirant product. Your underarms should be shaved so they're easier to keep free of odor-causing bacteria.
Although you may not want to use an antibacterial soap for regular bathing and hand washing, use it under your arms and on your feet.
Clothing Considerations
Bring a change of socks if your feet sweat and your socks tend to get damp. Avoid nylon socks and stockings. Stick with light cotton and anti-microbial socks. Wear shoes made of material that breathes. Leather footwear and high-quality athletic shoes are ideal. If you can wear sandals instead of shoes, do so. Keep your shoes off whenever possible.
Bring a change of underwear if your groin area tends to develop an odor during the day. Wash there and thoroughly dry the area before you put on the new underwear.
Diet Changes
Certain substances are connected with increased body odor. Some of these include:
- garlic
- curry
- onions
- beef and pork
- alcohol
You might try a method known as a detox diet to cleanse your system. There are varied forms of this diet, but they primarily involve restricting your food intake to fruits and vegetables -- and perhaps brown rice -- for a week or two, and drinking lots of water. Afterward, limit your intake of substances that can increase body odor.
Prescription Antiperspirant
If the odor tends to be isolated to areas such as the armpits and feet, prescription antiperspirants may resolve the problem. Seek assistance from a dermatologist to obtain this prescription.
Botox Injections
Botox injections block stimulation of the sweat glands. A dermatologist can provide these injections if your underarms are the biggest issue with body odor. An appealing aspect of this treatment is its longevity, since the effects last for many months.
Microwave Treatment
A specialized microwave energy treatment also is available for excessive underarm sweating. This therapy actually destroys sweat glands in the armpits, making it a permanent solution. Ask a dermatologist about this relatively recent innovation to help people dealing with a distressing level of perspiration and underarm odor.
Contact local dermatology services to learn more.
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