Q: A friend of mine has body odor. Whenever she starts to sweat, the smell comes out. Aside from using deodorants, are there any alternatives? – Stella G. de Dios, M.D.
A: Sweat itself is odorless. We start to smell when sweat mixes with bacteria which is normally found on the skin. Here’s how you can nix body odor.
● Antiperspirants stop sweat from pouring out of sweat glands. Antideodorants block sweat and destroy bacteria at the same time. She could use both.
● Take daily showers or baths. Scrubbing armpits with a washcloth and antibacterial soap, especially after heavy sweating (i.e., during a hot day, after exercising, after sex), will minimize both sweat flow and bacterial contamination .
● Liberally use cornstarch powder or the more absorbent Zeasorb powder to keep the armpits dry.
● Choose light-colored clothing made of natural fibers like cotton. They help the skin breathe. Avoid dark colors and synthetic materials like nylon and polyester.
● She should watch the food she eats. Someone on a low carbo-high protein diet like the Atkin’s diet may develop a condition called ketosis. This causes body odor and bad breath. Certain spices that may be secreted into sweat (and may even discolor it) also causes body odor.
● If all else fails, visit a dermatologist.
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