Treatment for Body Odour

What is body odour?

It is a perceived unpleasant smell our bodies can give off when bacteria that lives on the skin break down body sweat into acids. Body odour usually becomes evident if means are not taken when a human reaches puberty (14-16 years of age in females and 15-17 years of age in males). It can also be called Bromhidrosis or Osmidrosis. Normally, sweat itself is odourless to humans.

People susceptible to having body odour:

• People with hyperhydrosis (excessive sweating)
• People that takes too much salt
• Obesed people
• People who eat spicy foods regularly
• People with certain medical conditions e.g diabetes
• Wearing of shoes and socks for a long time (this makes the sweat difficult to evaporate, hence bacteria acts on it).

Areas where body odour most likely occur:

• Feet
• Genitals
• Anus
• Groin
• Pubic hair
• Behind the ears
• Armpits
• Belly button
• To some extent, on the rest of our skin.

Treatment Options for body odour:

• Keep the armpit clean by washing regularly with antibacterial soap and shaving the hairs regularly
• deodorants/Antiperspirants can be applied to the armpits.
• Injection of botulinum toxic in the armpits to reduce the rate of sweating in the area (armpit)
• Wash daily (at least) with warm water
• Wear clothes made of natural-made fibre e.g wool, silk, or cotton.
• Avoid diets high in red meat and spices.
• Wash feet in warm water regularly
• Wear socks made of a combination of man-made fibres and wool
• Do not wear the same pair of shoe two days in a row and ensure you sun dry your shoes
• Use foot deodorants and aspirant and treat fungal infection with appropriate medication.