He bad body odor It is not only a problem associated with high temperatures or intense sports practice, but there are many people who suffer from it daily and it has nothing to do with these two situations or with poor hygiene, although it is also one of the possible reasons.
In fact, if we have been told on occasion that we do not smell good even though we are careful with our personal hygiene, the cause may be something more serious than simple carelessness, and we may suffer from a disease that causes it called bromhidrosis.
Bromhidrosis is a sweating disorder caused by the breakdown of keratin in the skin when sweat comes into contact with body bacteria.
There are two types of sweat depending on the glands responsible for its production: on the one hand, eccrine sweat, which appears in response to heat or physical activity, and is composed almost entirely of water, making it odorless and colorless.
However, we can also have apocrine sweat, which is the type of sweat that appears in response to situations of stress, nervousness or anxiety and which arises quickly without being able to avoid it. The apocrine glands are found in very delimited areas such as the armpits, scalp or genitals. Sweating is less noticeable to the eye, however, its smell is stronger and difficult to conceal.
Although bromhidrosis is more common in apocrine sweating, it can sometimes also occur in eccrine sweating, as there are certain drugs, toxins and foods that we consume that often cause its appearance.
Whether we have bad body odor caused by one type or another of perspiration, the end result is that this situation can affect our daily life, especially in social and personal relationships. Anyone can feel really uncomfortable knowing that they give off a stench that is noticeable to others and not knowing how to remedy it, which is why it is essential to know how to tackle it at the root.
Types of body odor
The smell that our body gives off is not the same for everyone, and depends on various factors, including its exact origin.
There are some very recognizable olfactory characteristics, and that is why we normally differentiate between:
Sulfur body odor
In general, it is a body odor that usually goes hand in hand with children and young people when they enter the period of puberty, which occurs between 10 and 16 years, and where there is a greater production of the bacteria staphylococcus epidermis , which releases a type of acid that reminds us of the smell of cheese. On the other hand, there are some foods that contain sulfur such as eggs, onions, garlic or curry, for example, which, if we consume too much, during the digestion process can alter sweat and turn it into a bad body odor difficult to hide.
Strong body odor
We all have our own “scent”, but when we are stressed by an important date , before an exam or when we are faced with a situation that makes us uneasy, this scent becomes more intense and is usually accompanied by an abnormal amount of sweat. When combined with the bacteria in our body, the smell increases and makes us, and those around us, perceive it as something unpleasant.
Garlic body odor
It is one of the types of bad body odor The most frequently mentioned garlic that is most rejected due to its high stench. Just like with sulphur, the consumption of garlic, and especially its handling, can make our hands become impregnated with its smell and spread it throughout the rest of the body.
Similarly, medications containing dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) can have garlic-like breath and body odor as a side effect.
How to have a good body odor?
To avoid these unpleasant odors, it is important to follow a series of tips such as:
- Maintain proper daily hygiene, whether with showers or baths, using appropriate products for each body area.
- After showering, dry your body well to prevent residual moisture from causing bacterial infections on your skin.
- Use a natural deodorant to apply to your armpits on clean, dry skin after each shower, which respects the pH of the skin and keeps sweating at bay, such as those containing alum minerals. It is essential not to use it on dirty or already sweaty skin, because instead of helping with perspiration, you will get the opposite effect: more sweat and the resulting smell will be equally unpleasant.
- Follow a proper diet where natural ingredients prevail over artificial ones and reduce the intake of fried foods, alcohol and other foods that can negatively affect our body odor.
- Use a body moisturizer that is non-greasy, absorbs quickly and has a pleasant, long-lasting scent .
- Wear clothes made from fabrics made from natural fibres that allow the skin to breathe, especially in summer, such as cotton, linen or silk.
Yes, in addition to preventing the bad body odor What we want is for our aroma to be seductive, fresh and natural, we can help ourselves with a few drops of perfume.
The trick is to apply it strategically on the areas of the body where it is easier to maintain its duration, such as the wrists, collarbones, neck or the area behind the ears. With a small amount we will achieve the desired effect without having to spray again and overload the environment.
Sweet body odor
To give your skin a sweet and pleasant scent without being too noticeable, it is best to choose fresh floral fragrances or fragrances with citrus notes, containing mandarin or fruit extracts that provide freshness and do not mask our body odor, but rather accompany it.