We all have periods when we smell a specific way. This doesn’t mean that we are unclean or that we don’t keep ourselves clean; rather, there are several things that might make our bodies smell bad. Sometimes, particularly after a hard day, we start to smell bad especially from our armpits. We all have the misconception that sweat is to blame for the odor in our armpits, but this is not the case. The bacteria in our armpits interact with the sweat we produce and break down the perspiration’s protein molecules, causing our armpits to smell bad.

Although unpleasant armpit odor is not very frequent, it can actually have a detrimental effect on a person’s quality of life.  Poor personal cleanliness may contribute to smelly armpits, other factors such as particular foods or medications, as well as certain health conditions, may also play a role. You can strive towards smelling nice and fresh rather than feeling inferior or terrible about how you smell.

The two sweat gland that are responsible for sweat.

• Eccrine gland: These are located throughout our bodies and open right on the skin’s surface. Eccrine glands secrete perspiration to cool the body down when it becomes hot. Prior to microorganisms present beginning to break down the perspiration, it has no smell. Other factors that contribute to the smell of eccrine perspiration include some foods and medications.
• Apocrine gland: These can happen in areas with a lot of hair follicles, such as the armpit and groin. Apocrine glands open up to the surface after emptying into the hair follicles. Stress activates apocrine glands, which can result in the release of an odorless fluid. When skin bacteria are present, the fluid begins to smell, but the gland doesn’t become active until puberty.

Causes of armpit smell

When bacteria on the skin come into touch with sweat, they can produce a pungent odor that causes armpit or body odor. The fragrance may occasionally be pleasant, offensive, or odorless. These are caused by a few things, one of which may be the diet we consume. Some foods high in sulfur, such as onions, cabbage, broccoli, garlic, red meat, and cauliflower, might make you smell bad. Hormonal changes like ovulation and menstruation might result in offensive odor. Unpleasant odors can be caused by several medications and medical problems such diabetes, liver disease, gout, renal illness, and an overactive thyroid. For instance, hyperhidrosis causes excessive sweating in sufferers. People with this illness tend to sweat excessively, especially in their feet, armpits, and palms, which makes them more likely to develop body odor. When they perspire, the possibility of body odor is always present.

Home items to get rid of armpit smell permanently.

1. Alum: When moist, alum is highly good in creating a porous barrier on the skin’s surface that stops bacteria that cause odor in the armpits from growing. In fact, utilizing alum crystal for one or two days works like magic; you won’t notice much of an unpleasant fragrance thereafter. Due to the antibacterial characteristics of alum, you can sweat normally without worrying about unpleasant body smell. Only your underarm hair grows more quickly. Make careful to take a shower before using it, and wait three days before using it after shaving.
2. Lemon juice: Lemon juice can be used as a natural deodorant to get rid of body odor and odorous armpits in addition to being used to make lemonade. Citric acid, which is present in lemon juice, makes it impossible for germs to survive, especially in the armpit. Every day, clean your armpits with a spray bottle or cotton wool dipped in lemon juice. For added freshness, squeeze some into your bathwater. Use caution if you’ve just shaved.
3. Baking soda: Although baking soda is best known as a component of baked goods, it can also be used to eliminate sweaty armpit odor. Apply baking soda and water to your armpits to make a paste, let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes, and then wash it off in the shower. Baking soda assists in balancing the acid on your skin and aids in eliminating offensive odor.
4. Green tea: After drinking tea, don’t toss the green tea bag in the trash. It might help to eliminate the odor from the armpits. Put one of these tea bags under your armpit for a while. These aid in clogging your pores and lowering underarm perspiration. Before using them, make sure they are inside warm water.
5. Apple cider vinegar: For many years, people have utilized apple cider vinegar to address various health problems, including body odor. Since apple cider vinegar has acidic qualities, it helps to reduce the skin’s pH level, which makes it harder for bacteria to grow in the surrounding environment. To get rid of an odorous armpit, dab apple cider vinegar on cotton wool and apply it to the area.

Tips to prevent body odor and armpit smell.

• Take a regular bath and shower with antibacterial soap as these helps to remove bacteria and unpleasant smell.
• Shave your armpit when it grows as this help sweat to evaporate quickly thereby bacteria that causes odor are easily wipe out.
• Wear clean clothes and wash your clothes regularly.
• Use antiperspirant that help to pull sweat back into the sweat gland
• Avoid too much stress as this can make the apocrine gland to activate.