Bad body odor can be an indication of ill health, or simply a matter of poor hygiene. If you suspect you have bad body odor, take the time to analyze your hygiene habits and improve them if necessary. Consult with a doctor if you think your body odor may be caused by a disease. Bad body odor caused by poor hygiene habits is not serious, but if your body odor is the symptom of an illness, it can lead to serious problems if left untreated.
Puberty
Puberty is a time in life when boys and girls start to develop into young men and young women. During this time the body goes through many changes, and these changes cause the body to create a strong offensive smell. The reason why this happens is hormones in the body influence the glands to produce chemicals that cause bad body odor. Regular use of deodorant and bathing every day can help keep the body smelling fresh and clean.
Female Infections
A yeast infection, or an infection called bacterial vaginosis, causes body odor when the vagina releases a foul-smelling liquid caused by an overgrowth of bacteria. The liquid the body expels looks something like curdled milk. It is sometimes gray in color. A daily bath and clean underwear helps eliminate the bad odor and can prevent the onset of these infections.
Trichomoniasis
Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease that can be treated and cured. When a woman contracts trichomoniasis, the infection manifests in the vagina. In a man, the infection develops in the urethra. The parasite that causes this disease is called Trichomonas vaginalis. Few men exhibit symptoms of trichomoniasis, but those who do sometime experience symptoms of short duration that include inflammation inside the penis, a burning sensation after urinating or ejaculating and moderate discharge. The symptoms in women include an uncomfortable feeling when urinating or having sexual intercourse, inflammation, an itchy sensation in the pubic area and an intense unpleasant smelling discharge from the vagina. Treatment should be sought if trichomoniasis is suspected. Abstinence from sex should also be practiced until the disease is cured.
Poor Hygiene
Bad body odor may become a problem if the body is not properly cleansed every day. Bacteria left on the body after sweating will create an offensive smell, especially in the area of the feet, in the groin area and under the arms. Menstruation causes bad body odor when sanitary napkins are not changed after a few hours and the sight of bleeding is not thoroughly washed between changes. If your hair is not washed at least once a week, your scalp may start to smell. Bacteria in your mouth can cause bad breath, and so can the consumption of garlic or onions. Cigarette smoking will leave your breath smelling like an ashtray. An inadequate intake of food, or a lack of carbohydrates in the diet causes foul-smelling breath as well. Eat right, brush after meals, floss once a day, have your teeth cleaned by a dentist every six months and buy a new toothbrush after three months to prevent bad breath. Also have your dentist treat you for gingivitis, if you suspect you have this gum disease. Gingivitis causes the gums to bleed, which causes bad breath.
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