Body Odor |
What is body odor?
Body odour is a general term for what happens to sweat and other
skin secretions when they are acted upon by naturally occurring
bacteria. Sweat or perspiration is a salty liquid, which oozes out
of the pores in our skin. Two types of glands produce sweat, the
"eccrine" glands and the "apocrine" glands. The "eccrine" glands are
dispersed throughout the body but are concentrated in the armpits,
palms of the hands, soles of the feet, and the forehead. When the
body is overheated - from hot weather, physical exertion, or fever -
the "eccrine" glands help regulate body temperature by expelling a
solution of water and salts that cools the skin. The "apocrine"
glands are concentrated in the armpits and around the groin. These
glands develop during puberty and have nothing to do with
temperature regulation; instead, they respond to such conditions as
sexual arousal, nervousness, and anger, as well as to heat and
exertion. The sweat they produce is rich in organic substances that
attract bacteria and produce a strong odor. Other reasons could be
the purely the 'faulty lifestyles' or 'emotional stresses' like in
ovulation or menopause when the hormones trigger the "apocrine"
glands to produce the characteristic smell. Actually sweat is body's most convenient way of maintaining
"homeostasis" or keeping cool. But when the temperature spurts above
the normal there are about 2.5 million sweat glands, which act as
tiny air-conditioners in maintaining the homeostatic balance.
Surprisingly our sweat has no odor of its own. It usually smells bad
only when the bacteria act on the sweat after reaching the skin
surface. Normally most people tend to combat bad body odor with
products like deodorants or body sprays as a solution. But it can
only diminish the effects temporarily. In fact bad body odor (B.O)
indicates that you're disturbed emotionally or physically. Broadly, there are three completely different kinds of problem that
are responsible for bad body odor
- 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.
- 3. There are some uncommon genetic conditions that are associated
with odor. They are uncommon, and there are methods of dealing with
the problem. Again, consult your doctor.
|
|
main cause of body odor |
Following are the factors that are the main
cause of body odor
- 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 odor.
- Clothing
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 odor.
|
|
Golden rules to fight body odor |
Golden rules to fight body odor
- 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.
- Use a deodorant or anti-perspirant that contains aluminium
chlorohydrate or zirconium.
- 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.
Some Home Remedies
- After your bath, add a tablespoon of honey to tepid water for the
final rinse. This will help keep body odor in check.
- Adding a teaspoon of alum to your bath water make you smell fresh
all the day.
- In summer, add a cup full of vinegar to your bath water or add a
cupful of camphor oil to your bath water.
- Baking soda used as a powder will absorb chemicals; therefore this
will remove body odors. Use a powder puff, which has been used for
talc, to apply the powder.
- Boil mint leaves and add the water to your bath water. Keep some
aside for a special dousing for your armpits and between the thighs.
Foods that help deal with bad body odor.
- A balance diet is a must. Ideally it should be the one, which has
about 20% protein i.e., fish, poultry, or combinations of pulses and
grains, 20% oils and fats and balance from vegetables, fruit, pulses
and grains.
- Include turnip or its juice in your diet.
- Red radish juice can be included in the diet. You can also apply it
under the arm after the morning shower. Also apply it on your feet
and in between the toes. Radish juice helps keep body odor at bay.
- Drinking plenty of water will also ensure that you smell fresh and
sweet.
- Eating a tablespoon of aniseed is other way of smelling fresh and
sweet.
Foods to be avoided
People with body odor should avoid food that are rich in lecithin or
choline or cantine/lysine such as soya products, corn, wheat and
also chocolates, peanuts, nuts, raisins, cereals, eggs, etc or limit
the intake of these foods to a small part of the daily diet. |
|
Related Links |
Top
|
|
|
|
Body Odor |
|
|
Site Search |
|
|
Random Thought |
|
|
Montyclearsighted |
The Newest and most Entertaining Group . This
is an open email group for all to share funnies via attachments or
text. You will see lots a cool 'n cute pictures, cartoons, comics,
photos, poetry, cars, bikes, planes, boats, nature scenes,
landscapes, friendship cards, love, heart to heart messages and
other funny stuff on this group.
Click
Here. |
|
Jazbaat |
This group for communicating friends, to
share Cool Funny Pictures,
Poetry, Politics, Computer, mobile stuff, Poems, Wallpapers, jokes,
Celebrity stunts, Latest News, Laughing Stuff, Informative Articles,
Model Mania, Heart Touching Stories, Fashion Accessories &
Everything"
Click Here. |
|
Dil-Apna-Punjabi |
This group is for connecting all
"Punjabi-Hearts" around the globe and yearn for Desi things, no
matter in which part of the world they live in. Here is a platform
for the lovers of "PUNJABI" culture, shayari, current affairs, news,
views, fun stuff like jokes, movies, sports, music, etc.... . Here
you have the chance to share your knowledge about our beautiful
culture.
Click
Here. |
|
Laalkitab |
This Group provide FREE HOROSCOPE ANALYSIS
and REMEDIES on the basis LAL KITAB / LALKITAB / LAALKITAB, VEDIC
ASTROLOGY and NUMEROLOGY.
Services provided are:-
Horoscope Analysis and Remedies, Remedies through Mantra, Gemstones,
Dream Analysis, Spiritual healing, Future Predictions, Kundli
Matching, Matchmaking, Zodiac Sign, Ascendant Sign, Birth Chart,
Moon Sign, Astrology Lessons.
Click Here. |
|
|
|
|