Chat with AHA!

Chat with Ask Healthshots

The only advice you need to stop foul body odour

Be it at a gym or at your workplace - if managing body odour is becoming a hassle for you, these expert tips are just what you need.
causes of body odour
Follow these tips to make body odour go away. Image courtesy: Shutterstock
Aayushi Gupta Published: 5 Dec 2021, 08:00 am IST
  • 138

We all sweat, and we’ve all perhaps faced the quandary of foul body odour at least once in our lifetime! Hasn’t it ever happened to you that you may have raised your arms in public and everyone else around you felt that smell? No matter how embarrassing and uncomfortable the situation may have been for you, the reality is that body odour exists!

Sweating, in general, is actually the body’s natural way to regulate its temperature. However, the body odour that comes with it can be a major turnoff. Bathing at least twice a day, and using deodorants or perfumes are some of the easy-peasy ways to combat body odour, but more needs to be done to sort this issue from the roots!

body odor
Body odor is a fairly common issue. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

Well, bad body odour is not a result of any serious condition but there are a few common habits that make you smell bad.

In a recent Instagram post, celebrity fitness trainer Yasmin Karachiwala teamed up with Dr Jaishree Sharad to talk about the causes of bad body odour and how to get rid of it.

So what are the various causes of bad body odour?

Let us understand the potential reasons why you may be experiencing body odour all the time

Body odour can be a result of a specific reason, and you need to know why it’s happening in order to find relief.

Check out the Instagram post here:

 

Take a Poll

What is your top health and wellness goal?

Take a Poll

What is your go-to-technique for relieving body pain?

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Yasmin Karachiwala | Fitness (@yasminkarachiwala)

Here are 4 common causes of bad body odour, according Dr Sharad:

1. Poor hygiene

Bad body odour often indicates a person’s poor hygiene practices. If you’re not maintaining proper hygiene, it may result in skin allergies or infections.

2. Hormonal imbalances

Hormonal shifts are a big cause of bad body odour. Women experience hormonal fluctuations throughout their life due to puberty, pregnancy, menopause, premenstrual symptoms (PMS). Hormonal fluctuations also cause hot flashes and night sweats that can also contribute to excessive sweating and increase the body odour.

Also, read: From eliminating body odour to dandruff, here’s why you must bathe with apple cider vinegar

3. Fungal, bacterial or yeast infections

Several fungal, bacterial, yeast vaginal and skin infections may cause bad body odour. You should pay attention if you’re experiencing any kind of infection so that timely treatment can be received.

Also, read: Switching from a summer to winter wardrobe can give you these allergies

4. Excessive Sweating

Excessive sweating is called hyperhidrosis and is defined as sweating even when the body does not need to be cooled. Treatment for excessive sweating depends on the underlying cause.

Here are ways to combat bad body odour, according to Dr Sharad:

1. Good hygiene

Regular showers are a key part of hygiene and using antibacterial soap for body wash during bathing can be effective in preventing body odour.

body odor
Maintain proper personal hygiene. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

2. Get the infections treated

If you are dealing with any kind of infection which cannot be treated at home, you should visit a doctor who can provide the right treatment. Treating the infection can reduce the odour.

Also, read: Battling body odour? Ditch deodorants, pick essential oils

3. Use antifungal powder

Antifungal powders are recommended to reduce excess moisture, skin rashes and to control body odour. In fact, you can even use antibacterial soap to get rid of the bacteria.

4. Avoid using perfume on skin

Although perfumes are here to reduce body odour, as far as your body odour is concerned, too much of it is bad for you.

body odor
Deodorant is not always a good option. Period. Image courtesy: Shutterstock

5. Avoid garlic/onion

When your body breaks down garlic and onion, they can react with sweat on your skin to produce a bad body odour.

Try these ways, and end up feeling good, and smelling good!

  • 138
Related Topics:
About the Author

Aayushi Gupta is a health writer with a special interest in trends related to diet, fitness, beauty and intimate health. With around 2 years of experience in the wellness industry, she is connected to leading experts and doctors to provide our readers with factually correct information. ...Read More

Next Story