Posted on: Sat 13-02-2016

Often people think that sweating cause body odor, but this is not the case. In fact, to sweat is natural and even healthy. Body odor is the result of bacteria accumulating on the skin and releasing chemicals that eventually cause the unpleasant smell.

Body odor can occur in different areas of the body such as the feet, groin, armpits, genitals, pubic hair, belly button, anus, and even behind the ears. Body odor is a very embarrassing problem and it can even make a person suffer from depression and an inferiority complex. There are many factors that contribute to the occurrence of body odor, both in men and women.

Main Causes of Body Odor:

Generally, body odor is caused by perspiration. When body sweat mixes with bacteria, it leads to an unpleasant scent. Foods such as red meat, strong-smelling spices like garlic, onions and curry, along with a high intake of caffeine and alcohol can cause unpleasant body odor.

Body odor may also be caused by various other reasons such as any serious illness, strong medications, fungal infections, liver problems, hereditary factors, menopause, low blood sugar levels, kidney disease, low metabolism rate, hyperthyroidism, alcoholism, cavities, and deficiency of zinc or magnesium in the body, the presence of toxins in the body or even a lack of personal hygiene.

Body odor is often regarded as an embarrassing problem that many people suffer from. But there is nothing to worry about as you can easily control it.

Tips to Get Rid of Body Odor.

Shower every day:
One of the easiest and most effective ways to deal with body odor is to take a shower every day, sometimes even twice a day when necessary. You must wash the areas such as your armpits, feet, back, neck, and private areas thoroughly with soap to remove the accumulated sweat and bacteria. It is highly recommended to use germicidal or antibacterial soap to give your body a fresh and clean smell.

After your shower, take some time to pat yourself dry with a clean towel. This is very important as there is less chance for bacteria to survive on dry skin. If required you can use some powder on the areas that have the tendency to sweat more. Powder will help to absorb moisture and keep your body dry for a longer period of time.

Pay extra attention to your armpits:
To get rid of body odor, it is essential to keep your armpits clean and dry. There is a greater chance of rapid bacterial growth in the armpits due to excessive sweating in the area. It is a good idea to shave your armpits regularly to help reduce body odor.

After cleaning your armpits with water and soap, pat them dry and then sprinkle some powder on the area. Powder acts as an absorbent, preventing excess sweating and odor.

Take proper care of your feet:
When it comes to fighting body odor, it is essential that you take special care of your feet. When feet are covered in socks or shoes for long periods of time, they can become moist—the perfect condition for bacteria to grow rapidly. To alleviate this problem, spray some deodorant or sprinkle some powder on the bottoms of your feet before putting your socks on. You can also use medicated foot powder or antifungal spray to prevent foot odor, and this is a great way to keep your feet dry and fresh all day long.

Ensure you wear fresh cotton socks and go barefoot as frequently as possible. In fact, experts recommend changing socks two to three times a day if they get sweaty. This will help to keep feet dry and help to reduce odor and irritation.

Consider regular exercise:
When toxins accumulate in the body over a long period of time this can result in body odor. To remove toxins from your body, the best option is regular physical exercise. When you exercise for about half an hour your body begins to sweat, helping to detoxify your body. Once you finish exercising, take a shower. Do not wear the same clothes again without washing them.

*When exercising always use the right kind of shoes or it may lead to foot odor.

Change your clothes daily:
Make sure to change your clothes frequently to control body odor. Once you shower, do not wear the same clothes—opt for freshly washed clothes. Change your underwear and socks at least every day as these garments absorb sweat and odors and will contribute to body odor. It’s a good idea to take an extra pair of clothes if you may not make it home for a change in reasonable time.

Wear the right kind of clothes:
Wearing clothes made of the wrong material can be the reason behind body odor. It is essential to pay attention to the clothes you choose, especially during warm weather or if you have the tendency to sweat more.

Choose clothing that will allow your skin to breathe, which will result in more efficient evaporation of sweat. Choose clothes made of natural fibers such as wool, silk or cotton. These materials can easily absorb moisture from your body and help to keep you dry for a longer period of time.

Avoid clothing made of materials such as polyester, rayon and silk—they are not as breathable and can cause you to sweat more. Try to wear loose-fitting clothes.

Use a good quality deodorant:

After stepping out of the shower and drying off, you must use a good deodorant to control excessive perspiration and body odor. Remember that deodorant will just minimize the smell of body odor, but it will not help to remove the toxins from your body.

Based on your preference, you can either use a heavy duty roll-on deodorant or go for a strong spray-type deodorant. If itching, allergies, and skin discoloration occur after using a particular deodorant, stop using it and look for some other alternative.

Diet to control body odor:
To get rid of body odor you need to have a close look at your diet. There are certain food items that can trigger body odor, while there are also some foods that can help to prevent it..

Foods to Eat
*Brown rice due to its high content of protein level
*White meat
*Fresh fruits
*Raw vegetables as they contain good amounts of Vitamin A and Vitamin B
*Water as it helps eliminate the toxins from within your body
*Green herbs such as parsley, cilantro, basil and mint leaves

Foods to avoid
*Processed foods such as refined sugar, hydrogenated oils and flour
*Red meats
*Foods that have strong smells such as garlic and onions
*Junk foods
*Alcohol
*Foods that contain soluble fiber
*Diary food

Natural Treatments to Eliminate Body Odor
In addition to the tips and suggestions already mentioned, there are also a number of effective natural solutions that can really help to control body odor. Here are some of the natural treatment options for you to try:

Alcohol or Vinegar
*Add some alcohol or white vinegar to a mug of water.
*Use this solution to rinse your armpits.

Baking Soda and Lemon
*Combine one tablespoon of baking soda and one tablespoon of lemon juice.
*Apply this to your underarm area and any area where sweating is maximum.
*Leave on for a few minutes.
*Wash off with clean water.

Tea Tree Oil and Rosemary Oil
*Add two drops of tea tree oil or rosemary oil to one cup of water.
*Pour the solution into a spray bottle.
*Use this solution as a deodorant to control body odor.
 
Natural Remedy Quick Tips
*To prevent body odor, eat wheat grass on an empty stomach every morning along with one glass of water. The chlorophyll present in wheat grass will help in reducing body odor.
*Turnip juice has antibacterial properties and can be applied over areas of your body that sweat heavily. You must also include turnip in your diet plan.
*To reduce the pH of your skin and eliminate body odor you can use apple cider vinegar, diluted with water as a rinse for your body.
*Boil some mint leaves in four cups of water and then add this water to your bath water and soak in this water for a few minutes.
*You can also use a tablespoon of honey mixed with lukewarm water for your final rinse. It will help to keep body odor in check.
*Pour some tomato juice in the bathtub. You must soak in this mixture for about ten minutes daily to eliminate body odor.
*Herbal tea made up of sage can also be consumed two to three times a day to prevent bad body odor.

Source: howtoremovethat

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