Sometimes when we are in a closed room and we get hot and sweaty, we become self-conscious and think that we can smell. Well, it happens to everyone and you don’t need to worry, and your concern may not be entirely correct. Contrary to popular belief, sweat is not the only factor that causes body odor. You can sweat a lot and still not smell bad. Surprisingly, right? The opposite is also true, you can not sweat at all and still have smelly armpits. The smell is mainly caused by bacteria interacting with sweat on your skin. If the smell of armpits is too strong and has you wondering how to get rid of armpit odor permanently, we have some tips and tricks that you may find useful.

What causes underarm odor?

When we sweat, the fats, salts, and water in the sweat combine with the bacteria already on our skin, resulting in armpit odor. The foods we eat, hormones, and medications can all play a role in causing armpit odor. It can happen to anyone, but some people are more susceptible to body odor than others. Some possible causes of armpit odor include:

• Your genes may make you more susceptible to underarm odor.
• If you are stressed or anxious
• Do exercise
• Hot weather
• If your weight exceeds the recommendations for normal weight
• Hair is a breeding ground for bacteria and a place where sweat and bacteria interact. Therefore, armpit hair can be the cause of armpit odor.

Several underlying medical conditions can also lead to the development of distinctive underarm odor:

• Gout
• Infectious diseases
• Liver and kidney disease.
• Diabetes (causing diabetic ketoacidosis)
• Menopause
• Thyroid disease

Certain foods that contain sulfur and other foods can also cause body odor:

• Foods containing sulfur: onions, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, red meat and garlic
• Other foods that cause body odor: caffeine, alcohol, hot sauces or other spicy, pungent foods like curry or cumin.

Symptoms of underarm odor:

Using home remedies and practicing good hygiene can effectively deal with underarm odor, but for those with hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), sweating can be embarrassing and self-conscious in public. Many patients complain of extreme stress and discomfort due to excessive sweating. Seek guidance from a medical professional to explore potential treatment options. Botox injections can work wonders in certain cases.

Armpit odor means that the armpit area has a foul odor which can occur due to many reasons as mentioned above. It is a symptom in itself which can occur as a sign of an underlying medical condition or it can simply be caused by certain external conditions such as hot weather.

Home Remedies for Smelly Armpits

Smelly armpits can be a hindrance to your daily activities. You may find yourself thinking, “How do I get rid of armpit odor?” To answer your question, we have some home remedies for armpit odor that you can try to get rid of armpit odor. Here are some:

1. Green tea

Green tea can help you tighten pores and reduce sweating. To use green tea to treat underarm odor, you can take a few green tea bags and soak them in warm water as we usually do when making tea. Then, take out the tea bags, when they reach room temperature, you can place these tea bags under your armpits for a few minutes. Regular use of this method can be an effective way to treat underarm odor.

2. Lemon juice

Lemon juice contains citric acid which kills bacteria. To get rid of underarm odor, you can take a lemon and squeeze it into the juice, then mix the juice with water. You can put this lemon juice in a spray bottle and spray it on your underarms. You can also apply some of this mixture directly to your underarms if you don’t have a spray bottle.

3. Baking Soda

The skin contains natural acids that baking soda can balance. This helps reduce underarm odor. This can be a fairly simple remedy to get rid of underarm odor. You can take a small amount of baking soda and mix it with a little water to form a paste. Apply this mixture to your underarms and let it dry. Once it dries, wash it off. This can be an effective remedy for underarm odor.

4. Apple cider vinegar

Apple cider vinegar is acidic in nature and is effective in killing bacteria. Hence, it can be used as one of the home remedies for underarm odor. You can take a few drops of apple cider vinegar and dilute it with some water. You can put this diluted water in a spray bottle and use it to spray your underarms. Otherwise, you can simply apply the mixture to your underarms using a cotton swab.

5. Turmeric

Turmeric can effectively kill bacteria that react with sweat and cause odor). This method can be used as one of the home remedies for unpleasant underarm odor. You can use turmeric powder to make a paste that is not too runny. Apply this prepared mixture on the underarm area and leave it for some time. You can then wash it off. Regular use can be a good remedy for underarm odor.

6. Antibacterial soap

Taking care of your hygiene by bathing regularly can help reduce body odor. You can use antibacterial soap, which helps reduce the amount of bacteria on your skin, thus reducing the risk of developing body odor. When you bathe, make sure you focus on your armpits and scrub thoroughly to reduce the amount of bacteria. This can be one of the simplest home remedies to try for underarm odor.

7. Clothing

Wearing loose-fitting, cotton clothing can help reduce body odor. Wearing clothing that absorbs moisture from the body, called wicking fabrics, can help. Wearing bras and underwear made from these fabrics can also help. Washing your clothes regularly and wearing clean clothes can be good ways to reduce underarm odor.

8. Lifestyle changes

Lifestyle changes such as reducing or avoiding foods that cause body odor such as caffeine, alcohol, onions, garlic, etc., can help control body odor and underarm odor. Removing underarm hair can also be helpful because hair is a breeding ground for bacteria. You can remove underarm hair by shaving or waxing. These small changes can help reduce underarm odor.

Although there are studies that show the benefits of herbs and home remedies in dealing with underarm odor, these studies are still insufficient. More research is needed to determine the true extent of the benefits of these herbs and home remedies on human health. Therefore, these should be taken with caution and never as a substitute for medical treatment. Alternatively, you can also opt for one of Breeze’s premium perfume deodorants, 100% imported from Italy. Breeze’s deodorants will help you prevent sweat/antibacterial to help eliminate body odor so you can always be confident.