Armpit odor is not caused by sweat, which mostly contains water and salt. Actually, armpit odor is caused by bacteria that inhabit the parts of the body that sweat the most. If you want to know how to stop unpleasant underarm odor, there are steps you can take to ensure that your body and armpits don't stink and stay fresh. Read this article to find out how to do it.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Change Your Lifestyle
Step 1. Take a shower every day
Try to shower every day, no matter how tired or busy you are. This is a great way to ensure a fresh and clean body throughout the day. If you wake up in the morning and sweat after sleeping in the heat the night before, take a shower immediately, and always shower after a long day or especially after a workout. You should not forget to take a shower after exercising because an unpleasant body odor will appear.
- Use antibacterial soap for maximum results.
- After bathing, make sure to dry it with a towel, so that the body is not damp which can invite bacteria into the body.
Step 2. Apply a deodorant or antiperspirant to your underarms
Although deodorant can't stop sweating, it can mask the smell of bacteria on the skin. Antiperspirant products contain aluminum chloride, which is a chemical that reduces sweating, and they also contain deodorants. Apply antiperspirant products twice a day, in the morning and at night.
- If you think you need more than regular deodorant, look for products that claim to be stronger-you don't have to go to the doctor to get these.
- If you've tried a stronger antiperspirant or deodorant and it still doesn't work, then it might be time to see a doctor for a prescription for a stronger antiperspirant.
Step 3. Wear clothes that contain natural fibers
Wearing clothes made of cotton, wool, or silk makes the body less sweaty because of the comfort and durability of the fabric. And if you exercise, buy clothes made of water-resistant materials that can attract moisture.
Step 4. Change and wash clothes frequently
If you wear the same t-shirt for three days, then of course your armpits will stink. Always make sure to wash clothes after wearing them and avoid wearing the same clothes for two or more days in a row, no matter how comfortable they are. And pay special attention to workout clothes – dirty and damp workout clothes are a breeding ground for bacteria, so you should wash them after your workout.
Step 5. Try some relaxation techniques
People often sweat not because they are forcing their bodies, but because they are forcing their minds. Take whatever steps relax you and reduce stress, and your body, mind, and armpits will all benefit. Try yoga, meditation, or take 30 minutes to relax before bed.
You can also relax by avoiding situations that are known to cause stress. For example, if you're always stressed out in the morning because you're bound to be late for work or school, get up 15 minutes earlier to make life easier
Method 2 of 3: Take Additional Steps
Step 1. Consult a doctor
If you have very severe underarm odor and have tried every natural remedy to get rid of it, then it's time to consult a doctor. Not only will your doctor prescribe a stronger antiperspirant and give you sound advice, but he or she can also discuss some of the more extreme options for you. Here are some treatments that can be discussed:
- A non-surgical procedure called liposuction scraping can remove sweat glands by sucking out the glands under the skin through small incisions in the skin.
- Open surgery which involves cutting or scraping the tissue under the skin that can remove some of the skin along with the tissue. This operation is riskier, but the results are more durable.
Step 2. Shave the armpits
Shaving the armpits will make it difficult for bacteria to find a place to breed in the armpits. If you really want to stop underarm odor, shave your armpits every shower, or at least as often as you can:
Step 3. Use a homemade hydrogen peroxide solution
Mix 1 teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide and 250 ml of water. Wet a washcloth with this solution and rub it over the area that causes the odor. This can eradicate the bacteria in the armpits.
Step 4. Avoid tobacco
Tobacco is a guilty pleasure and is known to cause body and underarm odor.
Step 5. Apply a toner made of witch hazel or white vinegar on the underarms
Use a washcloth to absorb witch hazel or white vinegar and rub it on your underarms. This will change the pH of your skin so bacteria can't multiply.
Step 6. Rub cornstarch or baking soda on your underarms
This will reduce the wetness of the underarms and will help kill bacteria.
Step 7. Use alum
- Use special bath gloves. Use liquid soap and rub underarms with gloves.
- When you are done showering, dry your body properly with a towel.
- Use alum on the armpits. Make sure to apply it properly.
- When you're done, apply a layer of oil, such as coconut oil, for fragrance.
Method 3 of 3: Adjust Diet
Step 1. Avoid certain types of food
If you want to stop underarm odor, one easy trick is to avoid certain sharp foods or foods that are known to increase underarm odor. Here are some foods to avoid:
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Garlic
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- Fish
- Curry
- Chili and other spicy food
- Red meat
Step 2. Avoid alcoholic beverages and caffeinated drinks
You may enjoy drinking coffee in the morning or have a habit of drinking a beer or a few glasses of wine throughout the week, but if you want to get rid of underarm odor, then you need to cut – or even get rid of – these drinks as soon as possible.
Step 3. Meet fluid intake
Drinking lots of water helps cleanse the body and keep body odor fresh naturally. Plan to drink at least 8-10 glasses of water per day.
Step 4. Eat foods that make the body odorless
Some foods that have been shown to make the body odorless are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. These foods can help increase the body's metabolic function, so it can work more efficiently. Eating a healthy and balanced diet will also help lower the body's stress levels, which can reduce the amount of sweating, thereby reducing the number of bacteria that attack the body.
- Include wheat grass supplements in your diet.
- Eat parsley, alfalfa, or other leafy greens after meals to help neutralize strong odors.
Step 5. Eat foods rich in chlorophyll
Foods rich in chlorophyll such as kale and spinach have been recommended to help neutralize food odors that cause underarm odor.
Step 6. Add magnesium and zinc to your diet
You can add magnesium and zinc to your diet through vitamins or by eating foods rich in these vitamins. Here are some foods to try:
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Foods rich in magnesium: nuts and seeds, spinach, lentils, avocados, bananas, and figs.
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Foods rich in zinc: pumpkin seeds, dark chocolate, and nuts.
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Step 7. Maintain a healthier diet
Studies show that if you are overweight or even an unhealthy eater, your body becomes more tense, making it more difficult to move and sweating more easily, inviting bacteria that can cause body odor. If you are overweight, then it's time to eat a healthier diet to lose a few pounds and get rid of that annoying underarm odor.
