1. Keep Yourself Squeaky Clean
Shower at least once a day and
you’ll wash away sweat as well as reduce the number of bacteria on your skin. Sweat
by itself is virtually odorless. But when microscopic bacteria that live
naturally on your skin mix with sweat, they multiply quickly and raise quite a
stink. So washing thoroughly, especially areas prone to sweating, can reduce
body odor. If you sweat normally, you might have more of a problem with body
odor than people who sweat too much. That’s because, when people sweat
excessively, the sweat tends to wash away the odor-causing bacteria.
2. Use Antibacterial Soap
Choose an antibacterial bath soap.
Washing thoroughly with an antibacterial soap bar will reduce the bacteria
count, in turn reducing the odor. Look for the words “antibacterial” on the
soap’s packaging.
3. Towel Off Thoroughly
Once you’ve showered, be sure you
dry yourself completely. Towel off and make sure you dry any areas where you
sweat a lot. If your skin is dry, it’s harder for bacteria that cause body odor
to breed on it.
4. Apply “Industrial Strength”
Deodorants or Antiperspirants
Once you are clean and dry, use a
strong deodorant or antiperspirant on your underarms. While
deodorants do not
prevent sweating, they mask the smell of bacteria on your skin. Antiperspirants
contain aluminum chloride, a chemical that reduces sweating, and often also
contain a deodorant. Stronger deodorants and antiperspirants are available
without a prescription. Look for products that say on the label they are higher
strength due to ingredients. If you think you need even more help, you may want
to ask your doctor about prescription antiperspirants. Apply the deodorant or
antiperspirant twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening.
5. Keep Your Wardrobe Squeaky
Clean
Change clothes often when you’re
sweating heavily. Fresh clothes help keep body odor down. Be sure to change
your socks as well, especially if you tend to have foot odor. Use deodorant
powders in your shoes, replace insoles frequently, and go barefoot if possible.
6. Cut Out or Cut Down “Offensive”
Foods
What you eat affects your body
odor. Foods that tend to make you sweat more, such as hot peppers or other
spicy foods, might also contribute to body odor. And the aroma of foods such as
onions or garlic can be carried in the sweat, making you smell bad.
Ever had that moment where you
wonder if you smell, well, not so great? It happens. But
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