This is the nasty reality of body odor. It stinks. As a result, we spend our lives trying to prevent it. We buy deodorants, perfumes and even use baby powder in an attempt to sweat less and smell good. However, how much we sweat and how we smell can say a lot about our health.
Understanding B.O. begins with learning just how the body works. You see, people sweat for a reason. Sweating cools the body down, and perspiration occurs all over the body.
Two different sweat glands exist in the body. These are the eccrine and apocrine glands. The eccrine glands are what cause that workout-type sweat that cools you down when you get hot. These glands exist all over the body and produce a watery consistency in the way of sweat.
The apocrine glands, however, can be found near hair follicles. These glands are located in the scalp, armpits and groin. They produce a different, waxier kind of sweat. It’s milky and odorless until it comes into contact with bacteria.
Why the Smell?
This brings us to an important question: What causes body odor in general?
One major factor of body odor can be simple stress. According to Prevention, stress causes the body to produce a greater amount of apocrine secretions. This is what happens when we sweat under our arms.
These secretions can smell, well, awful. “Without apocrine sweat or secretion, you cannot produce underarm odor. It’s not just bacteria and moisture; it’s that, plus this apocrine secretion,” George Preti, an organic chemist specializing in the nature and origin of human odors at the Monell Chemical Senses Center, tells Prevention. “Under stressful conditions, you produce more apocrine secretions.”
The next factor in body odor is an obvious one. That factor is hygiene. If you don’t cleanse regularly, you’re probably going to smell, right? This is why it’s better to shower than try to cover up body odor. After all, someone might be able to smell you when you least expect it.
Some medical conditions can cause body odor and increase sweating. One good example of this is hyperthyroidism, which occurs when the thyroid gland is overactive. Night sweats that occur with menopause can cause a funky smell because of all that perspiration. After all, night sweats can make you sweat as much as you would during a workout.
Other medical conditions, like liver disease, kidney disease and diabetes, can affect body odor and how much you sweat. This is why doctors will often order tests if you’re sweating more than usual or if your sweat smells odd. Your doctor will perform an exam and discuss your medical history. He or she then will look for underlying conditions like infections, thyroid conditions and diabetes. This may involve blood tests for which you will be asked to fast.
Yet another issue that can cause body odor is puberty. This is why preteens often stink, which they don’t seem to notice. According to Today’s Parent, this pungent scent is related to adrenarche. This is the term that doctors use to describe changes that occur when the adrenal glands kick in during puberty. Not only does this create that unforgettable scent related to puberty, but it also can cause acne, oily hair and skin, and hair “down there.”
Experts attribute the scent to basic hormones. “The increase in hormonal activity is what causes sweat to develop an odor,” pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Beth Cummings tells Today’s Parent. It's not anything to worry about -- simply to teach kids both proper hygiene and how to use deodorant. Just make sure to do this sooner rather than later. After all, you don’t want your kid to be known as the stinky one.
Diet can play a factor in body odor. Experts associated with Berkley Wellness say that the sulfur compounds found in foods like broccoli and cabbage can change body odor. Garlic and onions are other examples of foods that change body odor as a result of these sulfur compounds. This is why many people notice a distinct smell after consuming these foods.
When it comes to foods like these, experts say that there’s an interesting way to see how they will affect you. It’s a science fair experiment of sorts. Berkley Wellness says to try putting crushed raw garlic on the bottom of your feet. Chances are, you’ll taste it in your mouth by the time 20 minutes has passed. However, milk is said to help to alleviate the taste.
Preventing Body Odor
OK, now that you know about body odor, just what can you do to prevent it?
Medical News Today says that there are several good ways to prevent body odor. The first is to shower daily with warm water and mild soap. And if it’s hot outside, you may want to shower more than once. This will help to put an end to the stench.
Second, be cautious as to what you wear. You want to purchase breathable fabrics like cotton. Fabrics that don’t allow air to reach the skin can make you smell. This is why nylon panties can create more of a feminine odor than cotton panties. They don’t allow skin down there to breathe.
Third, watch it with the spicy foods. Spicy foods can create an unforgettable stench. Good examples of these types of food are garlic and curry. These are some of the foods that you can smell on your body while you’re working out at the gym. In addition, beware of red meat. Some people say that red meat and body odor may be a team.
Fourth, use deodorant. This would seem like an obvious way to prevent B.O., but you’d be surprised as to the amount of people who steer clear of this option. Further, buy deodorant that contains aluminum chloride. This is found in most antiperspirants. And if this doesn’t solve your issue, talk to your doctor about prescription options.
Finally, take action when it comes to armpit stinkiness in general. If you’re a man, keep your armpit hair short. And if you find that sweating issues don’t stop, consider Botox injections in the armpits. This is said to decrease sweat.