Body odor, commonly referred to as BO, occurs naturally in humans. Though people generally blame perspiring for producing BO, it is actually created by bacteria that break down the proteins in the sweat. Body odor can be increased by certain health ailments, ingestion of toxic substances and fungal infections. Humans generally begin developing normal body odor when they enter puberty. Hygiene becomes particularly important at this stage of life in order to combat this problem. BO can be more problematic for particular individuals depending on their body chemistry. Learn to successfully decrease body odor by employing specific remedies.
Step 1
Bathe thoroughly each day with a deodorizing soap. Pay careful attention to your underarms, feet and the insides of your knees and elbows where perspiration is likely to collect. Use a clean smelling shampoo when you wash your hair. Apply baby powder to your body after you dry off.
Step 2
Change your diet in order to help with body odor. You may have a noticeable body odor if you are ingesting a large amount of choline that is found in such foods as fish, liver and beans. Spicy foods can also increase noxious aromas as well as garlic, onion, alcoholic beverages and coffee. Eliminate these items to test whether there is a decrease in body odor.
Step 3
Reduce underarm odor by washing with a hydrogen peroxide preparation as recommended by the Health911 website. Add a teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide to one cup of warm water. Mix the solution. Wet a wash cloth with your preparation and wash your underarms with it. Use an antiperspirant or deodorant following drying.
Step 4
Take a steam bath or relax in a sauna periodically to help "sweat out" odors. This is a detoxification method that can aid you in combating body odor. Participate in this activity at least one time a week.
Step 5
Wear loose-fitting clothes to help control body odor. This type of apparel allows the body to "breathe" so that less sweat is produced, thereby reducing the bacteria needed to break it down into its acids.
Step 6
Add odor reducing supplements to your diet. Health911 recommends a daily intake of 200 to 250 mg of magnesium, 100 mg of PABA, 100 mg of B6, 30 to 50 mg of zinc and one or two tablets of chlorophyll.
Step 7
See your physician if your body odor is excessive or particularly foul smelling. Women's Health magazine suggests that you may have an infection or disease that is contributing to your body odor problem. Your doctor should be able to diagnose these underlying ailments and provide appropriate treatment.
Tips and Warnings
- Take a bath in water to which a cup of tomato juice has been added if regular bathing fails to solve your body odor dilemma. This home remedy is believed to greatly reduce odor due to the acidic nature of tomatoes. Pack baby wipes or towelettes moistened with witch hazel with you when you are out. You can dash into the restroom to freshen up with these if you begin to sweat excessively.
Things You'll Need
- Deodorant soap
- Baby powder
- Hydrogen peroxide
- Magnesium
- PABA
- B6
- Chlorophyll
- Tomato Juice
- Baby wipes or towelettes
- Witch Hazel
- Zinc
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