[toc]Pungent, strong and offensive body odor is embarrassing and makes it uncomfortable for an individual to interact with friends, colleagues and other people. While deodorants and perfumes mask the odor, they do not stop bad odor from emanating from the body. Sweat glands release sweat containing fats and toxins through skin pores as byproducts of metabolic processes in your system, in order to rid the body of unwanted and harmful chemicals.
When bacteria begin to grow on the skin, most often in poorly maintained areas or moist areas of the body; they feed off the dead skin cells and metabolic byproducts, causing unpleasant body odors to permeate the air. Masking these odors is not enough. It is important to maintain body hygiene and get rid of body odor smells. Chemical treatment can lead to allergic reactions, soreness, cracking or skin irritation.
If you are suffering from offensive body odor, there are a few natural home remedies and simple measures you can take to rid yourself of the condition and be confident wherever you are at any time of the day. If you are unsure of how to get rid of body odor, follow these simple steps outlined below.
11 Natural Cures For Body Odor
Wash Regularly
Bathing at least once a day prevents bacteria and dirt from accumulating on your skin, one of the main causes of body odor. Individuals working outdoors and directly exposed to the elements would do well to bathe at least twice a day.
When taking a shower or soaking in the bathtub, focus on areas like the underarms, groin and in between fingers and toes where dirt and bacteria tend to build up. Dry your body well after washing as bacteria grow in moist conditions. Clean the underarms and groin area with water and soap to prevent any bacteria from growing there.
Spritz With Vinegar
Vinegar is a natural antiseptic and cleansing agent that kills bacteria and fungi on the skin. Spurting white vinegar or apple cider vinegar on odorous areas, leaving the vinegar on for a few minutes and wiping the area dry thereafter, eliminates unpleasant odors and prevents bacteria from growing in these areas.
You can soak a cotton ball in the mixture and apply to the underarms instead of a deodorant to prevent an unpleasant underarm odor.
Eat The Right Foods
Spicy, fatty and calorie laden food often cause bad odors to exude through skin pores, especially in the underarm area. Caffeinated beverages, alcohol, onion and garlic cause offensive odors to permeate the air around you. Cut back on your intake of these items to improve your body odor. The sulfur constituents of garlic and onion makes your sweat foul smelling as do pungent spices, when consumed in large quantities.
Foot Care
Stuffing your feet in closed shoes all day makes them a breeding ground for bacteria and fungi that frequently grows between toes. This leads to foot odor especially after a jog, heavy exercise or a long day at work. Clean your feet by soaking them in salt water and thoroughly drying them with clean water.
Use a mixture of a cup of salt for every quart of water. If you find your skin peeling or cracking, stop the salt soak until it heals and restart the soaking process once the skin has healed. Try to wear flip flops or sandals when formal shoes are not required in order to keep the feet airy and open, preventing fungi growing in a dank, moist space.
Wear Clean Clothing
Wear clean clothing, socks and underclothes every day. Make sure your clothes are machine washed with soap and detergents to ensure all bacteria and dirt on the clothes have been removed. If you are prone to excessive sweating, opt for fabrics made of linen, cotton and other natural materials that absorb sweat and prevent sweaty underarms.
Make sure your clothes are not too tight but light and airy to facilitate air flow. This helps to evaporate sweat faster and provides ventilation to the body so that sweat does not accumulate, causing malodor to permeate the air.
Gram Flour And Curd
A paste of gram flour mixed in curd applied on the body before a shower bath cleans the body of all dirt and grime and clears away bacteria and dead skin cells. This mixture acts as a natural scrub and opens up the pores which help in dispersing the bad body odor.
Gram flour has natural cleansing properties while the lactic acid in yogurt ensures that your skin is smooth, soft and supple. The mixture is very effective in helping you get rid of body odor.
Tea Tree Oil
Mix two drops of the tea tree oil in an ounce of water. Pour the mixture in a spray bottle and use it as a body spray every day. Since tea tree has antibacterial properties, it kills bacteria growing in the arm pits and prevents bad armpit odor.
Exercise
Create an exercise routine or fitness regimen for yourself to induce sweating. This helps to remove toxins from the body thereby reducing unpleasant body odor. Any vigorous activity like brisk walks, cardiovascular exercises, running, dancing, cycling and other exercises that make you sweat helps to cleanse your body of toxins.
Rose Water
Add a few drops of rose water to your bath water. This mixture is relaxing, creates a scented atmosphere and helps to fight body unpleasant odor. The sweet smell of rose water lingers on your body and hair masking any unpleasant body odor emanating from you.
Neem Extract
Neem is a powerful natural anti-bacterial agent that kills underarm bacteria to prevent armpit odor. Neem extracts in a bowl of warm water applied to the underarm area with a clean cloth or cotton ball kills bacteria to prevent offensive body odor smells.
Water
Drink a minimum of two liters of water daily to flush out toxins from your body. Sufficient water intake also helps to battle bad odor since toxins are excreted through urine, preventing bad odors emanating from your body.
Follow the above tips and tricks to get rid of body odor and walk into any social event with confidence!
