Body Odour, why you have it

Today we're going to dive into a touchy subject: Body odour. I'm not going to dance around the subject, either, because body odour can actually be an important indicator of your overall health and dietary habits. Body odour usually becomes evident if measures are not taken when a human reaches puberty - 14-16 years of age in females and 15-17 years of age in males. People who are obese, those who regularly eat spicy foods, as well as individuals with certain medical conditions, such as diabetes are more susceptible to having body odour.

Sweat itself is virtually odourless to humans; it is the rapid multiplication of bacteria in the presence of sweat and what they do (break sweat down into acids) that eventually causes the unpleasant smell. The smell is perceived as unpleasant, many believe, because most of us have been brought up to dislike it. Body odour is most likely to occur in our feet, groin, armpits, genitals, pubic hair and other hair, belly button, anus, behind the ears, and to some (lesser) extent on the rest of our skin

Causes

1. Hygiene problem; not cleaning up properly, not having proper bath or using clean clothes. Ask the pharmacist for advice on soaps and cleansers and deodorants. But be warned; an excess of chemicals can make things worse, not better. Take advice and follow it.

2. Skin problem; if you have a bit of eczema or psoriasis or allergy problems, it is possible that a skin infection, probably fungal, is contributing to the problem. You need to know, and if that's the case, it is treatable, though not always easily.


Following are the factors that are the main cause of body odour

• Obesity
• Warm temp not only stimulate the sweat glands but also cause bacterium to break sweet down into a sticky coating that becomes a magnet for dirt thereby causing bad body odour.
• Synthetic fabrics like polyester look good but trap sweat. This trapped sweat makes a perfect breeding ground for bacteria.
• Bad eating pattern
• Tight fitting clothes / shoes also increase the likelihood of excess perspiration and body odour.

Golden rules to fight body odour

• Take a shower using an antibacterial soap followed by a deodorant once in a day especially in the areas around the anus and the genitals.
• When bathing, use a good brush in circular movement.
• Use cotton clothes especially cotton undergarments, which lets the skin breathe. Avoid synthetic clothes.
• Wear loose cloths instead of figure-hugging ones and change your cloths daily.
• Washing areas under the armpits is a must as 80% of the body's sweat is present there.
• If you're buying products to handle perspiration knowing their difference is a must. For example, antiperspirants stop the sweat from leaving the skin by blocking the pores while deodorants destroy the bacteria when sweat leaves the body.
• To get rid of smelly feet, wash and dry between the feet adequately and wear well-ventilated footwear to let feet breath.
• Double-check your Medicine. Synthetic hormones, oral contraceptives, steroids and some asthma medications stimulate sweat production. Respond by applying medically formulated antibacterial creams to your underarms.
• Curb your coffee and tea intake. Caffeine can stimulate the autonomic nervous system, which regulates sweating. Limit yourself to two cups daily.
• Avoid alcohol since it increases perspiration potential by dilating blood vessels.
• If none of the above work and or the scent of your perspiration becomes stronger or more intense. See your doctor.

Dr Tango is Consultant Physician with facts and Figures Email- caremed001@gmail.com Blackberry Pin - 74282d21.Follow us on twitter @Care_Med