It’s not something that usually comes up at the cocktail party or coffee with friends.
When your sister asks what’s new, you’re not going to bring it up.
But even though you’re not talking about it, your thoughts are consumed by it.
Is that smell me?
Why is nothing working?
Body odor is not just an issue for teenage boys in the locker room.
We can all deal with it from time to time.
The good news is that once you know the cause, finding the solution is easy.
According to theMayo Clinic, we have two types of sweat glands.
Eccrine glands are spread throughout our bodies and open up into the skin.
When we sweat through them, the liquid is evaporated to cool us off.
The other pop in, apocrine glands, empty into our hair follicles such as underarms.
These glands empty a milky liquid (sexy, right?)
When that fluid comes in contact with the bacteria on our bodies, it produces an odor.
This is the pop in of sweat our body creates when under stress.
Certain spices like garlic or curry can actually make your skin smell.
As we digest these spices, our bodies release a sulfur-containing gas.
“Don’t eat these foods before an important meeting or a date,” she explained.
The smell comes from how our bodies break down these spices and spicy foods.
“Components in a lot of aromatic spicing are very fat soluble,“explains Dr. Preti.
If your date surprises you with your favorite garlic bread, don’t panic.
Drink plenty of water before, during, and after your meal.
Too many cocktails
We’ve all been there.
You got talked into coming out for one drink, and the night just took off from there.
One cocktail turned into five, and now you notice that you kind of stink.
It’s not just the smokey bar.
That smell comes from the way our bodies break down alcohol.
“Most alcohol is metabolized in the liver and is excreted from the body in urine.
You don’t have to give up your weekly happy hour to smell like a rose just go slow.
Try drinking at a slower pace and confirm to drink plenty of water throughout the night.
Your favorite bra
You know that lacy little number that just makes you feel good?
When you’re wearing a gorgeous, sexy bra you just feel amazing.
The problem comes if that bra doesn’t get a break.
Our bras sit on areas of our skin that are prone to sweat, like our chest and breasts.
They’re also not usually made of breathable fabric that wicks away moisture.
The result is sweat trapped in the fibers of the bra, causing a smell.
“The moisture can make bacteria and fungus overgrow,” Dr. Jhin toldReader’s Digest.
check that to rotate your bras and wash them frequently.
verify all of your items of clothing are getting a good wash on a regular basis.
That choline can stay in our tissues for days and come out in our sweat.
Drinking plenty of water throughout the day may help.
Low-carb diets
Low-carb diets are known for their quick weight loss.
“The exact alteration to the natural body odor depends on a person’s body chemistry.”
This new smell usually lasts for as long as you are on the diet.
Not flossing enough
You know that moment you’re dreading at the dentist’s office?
When you’re squirming in your chair as she asks you how often you floss?
We might have an easier time remembering if we knew it led to some stinky breath.
When we eat, food particles become trapped between our teeth.
If we don’t clean them out with regular brushing and flossing,they can start to smell.
Not wearing socks
I’m not a big sock fan.
If I can get away without them, I do.
However, I’ve stopped trying to wear sneakers and other closed-toe shoes without socks.
When you wear sneakers without socks, your feet heat up andstart to sweat.
When your nose and sinuses are inflamed or swollen,bacteria can growin there and start to smell.
You might notice the bad breath when you’re eating or brushing your teeth.
ensure to drink plenty of fluids to kick both the infection and the smell.
Birth control pillscan lead to dry mouth, which causes a buildup of sulfur in our mouths.
It’s this sulfur that can give your breath a super sexy rotten egg smell.
Even over-the-counter medications can lead to body odor.
Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and anti-depressants may cause sweating.
Always read the labels and check with your doctor if you’re concerned.
Red meat can be hard for our bodies to digest, and that can lead to an unpleasant smell.
“you might smell worse within two hours of eating red meat.”
Because our bodies are working hard to digest that red meat, it’s common to start sweating more.
double-check to always pair your meat with a big glass of water to help with the smell.
It’s also a time of swollen ankles, crazy cravings, and new body odors.
“As your basal metabolic rate increases, so does blood supply to the armpits, vaginaeverywhere.”
Once those hormone levels stabilize, the hot flashes and night sweats should go away.
First, remember thatdeodorants and antiperspirants do different things.
Deodorants can get rid of the smell, but not the sweat.
They are alcohol-based and help keep bacteria from growing on your skin.
They may come with a perfume or smell to mask any body odors.
Antiperspirants on the other hand don’t touch the smell.
They contain aluminum-based compounds that actually block your sweat pores, keeping the moisture to a minimum.
“Antiperspirant decreases the amount of sweat that reaches the skin.
“Now, totally separate from that are deodorants, and those are basically products that have masking fragrances.
When you go to the store to purchase a product, most are antiperspirants and deodorants.”
Look for a product that does both if you want to cover all your bases.
The trick with antiperspirants is to apply them at night.
If the over-the-counter options aren’t doing the trick, ask your doctor about a prescription antiperspirant.
Before becoming a hermit, double-check you’re doing all of these easy things to keep smells at bay.
First,bathe or shower everyday.
Use an antibacterial soap to prevent smelly sweat.
Next, always dress for success.
If you’re working out, wear designated workout clothes designed to wick away sweat from your skin.
For everyday, choose fabrics like cotton that allow your skin to breathe.
Worse case scenario at least you’ll feel better about your smell.
Finally, if you notice any of those foods we mentioned make it worse, ditch them.
