Body odor – how to fight it!
Ever had that moment when your body odor brought down your confidence and attracted unwanted attention with smelly feet or bad breath?
It happens and I totally get you! Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to make body odor go away, with relative ease.
Each of us has a unique body odor, it can be subtle most of the time, but when we think of body odor, we usually think of an unpleasant smell our bodies can give off when bacteria that live on the skin break down sweat into acids.
Body odor can be influenced by diet, gender, time of the month, health, and medication.
Smelly Feet?
Are you afraid of taking your shoes off around people? Feet odors (also called bromdosis), can put you in very embarrassing situations and can create a lot of discomfort in your life. Although feet odors are not, usually, a medical concern, they can, for sure, affect the quality of your life and your relationships with other people.
According to the Institute for Preventive Foot Health, 16 % of adults have reported a problem with foot odor. The reason for most cases of feet odor is bacteria and moisture, as your shoes and socks can cause your feet to sweat, resulting in bad smells.
Best ways to prevent and get rid of smelly feet:
- Buy shoes with certain breathability, a leather lining is better for sweat evaporation (with mesh panels, not from plastic); alternate shoes, do not wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row and replace insoles (odor reducing and antibacterial insoles).
- Wear socks that can absorb sweat and reduce odors, made from sweat-wicking materials
- Use home remedies that will help you keep a great foot hygiene, like exfoliating your feet with scrub or using a pumice stone; vinegar soak can also help you, if you add 2 parts warm water and 1 part vinegar to a tub and soak the feet for 15-20 minutes but only if you have no cuts, sores, or scratches, as the vinegar has the potential to irritate open areas of skin.
- Use an antiperspirant on the feet or use cornstarch, which is highly absorbent;
- Spray your shoes with special products after every wear and weekly for maintenance, even if you don’t use them;
- Wash your feet at least once a day and make sure you dry your feet thoroughly.
Bad breath?
Bad breath, or halitosis, is pretty common, as approximately 25 % of people suffer from it, and can cause significant psychological distress. And I m not talking only about the morning breath.
There are a number of possible causes of halitosis, but the the most common cause of halitosis is bad oral hygiene.
Bad breath can cause significant embarrassment but it is relatively easy to remedy:
- The best treatment for bad breath is regular brushing, flossing, and hydration; keep your teeth healthy by brushing with toothpaste twice a day for two minutes at a time; drink enough water as keeping the mouth hydrated can reduce mouth odor and brush after eating foods with especially strong odors, like garlic, onions, or tuna.
- Using products with zinc can also counteract bad breath as research has shown that regular rinsing with a solution containing zinc can be effective in reducing bad breath for at least 6 months: mouthwash with zinc, chewing gum designed for people with dry mouth or zinc dietary supplements that you can purchase online;.
- Bad breath that won’t go away, even after using methods above can be caused by acid reflux or other digestive problems. If your breath smells fruity or sweet, it could be a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis, a metabolic condition that has the potential to be deadly and may arise as a complication of uncontrolled diabetes, so you should check these symptoms and consult your doctor.
Smelly armpits, groins and otherbody parts?
The way your body smells has a lot to do with genetics and even with what you eat, but cleanliness is the most important part:
- Reduce the foods that can cause a bad odor, like broccoli, garlic, and fish, or foods that tend to make you sweat more, such as hot peppers or other spicy food or coffee;
- Shower daily, or, at least, opt for a sponge bath or wet towels for a quick cleanse of your armpits and genital area;
- Use antiperspirants and deodorants; deodorants and antiperspirants, face washes, lotions, and sunscreens are also available without added fragrances and you can find them online.
- Avoid wearing polyester, which research has shown to harbor sweat and bacteria, creating an unpleasant odor; use cotton clothes, especially cotton underwear;
- Apply talc-free powder anywhere that skin rubs, such as under the breasts and between your legs
- Use antibacterial soap;
Make your hair smell good all day!
Cleaning you hair can leave it smelling so nice every time you turn your head:
- The American Academy of Dermatology recommends concentrating the shampoo on your scalp and getting it really clean before moving to the rest of your hair;
- Use the type of shampoo that is suitable for you and if your scalp is oily, you may need to wash it as often as once a day. As you get older, your scalp makes less oil and this can lead to dandruff and other scalp diseases.
- Use conditioner after every shampooor a “2-in-1” shampoo, which cleans and conditions hair.
Oh, well, as you see, you don’t need to have a bathe in designer perfume in order to smell good. Proper hygiene habits and a few good products can keep body odor at bay and leave you smelling just fine.
Stay safe and smell good! Are there any other body odors that annoy you?