Causes and Treatment of Body Odors

Very young children find most odors pleasant. But it does not take long to learn that our culture considers certain odors offensive. By kindergarten, the average child already knows that "You Stink!' is the ultimate insult.

The line between a normal personal smell and an offensive body odor seems like a very fine one these days. Among the bad body odors are mainly those linked with "bathroom functions" and those associated with dirt and disease.

So TV and radio commercials sell medicated soaps, mouth-washes, hair shampoos, underarm deodorants and foot sprays that are guaranteed to kill germs hence keeping off the body odors. People shave their underarms to remove the hair that harbors smell-producing bacteria hence resulting in the bad body odor.

The skin smells that contribute to body odor are concentrated mainly in the areas that are heavily supplied with apocrine sweat glands, especially the armpits and the genital area. Underarm odor is not usually obvious unless the arm is raised.

The feet are another especially smelly part of the body. The sweat glands on the feet are very responsive to both temperature and emotions. They pour out sweat when we are "hot and bothered" and the constant pressure and friction of walking rubs off dead skin cells that help to feed the bacteria living on the skin.

The spaces between the toes tend to remain warm and moist, especially when we wear shoes, providing a perfect breeding ground for bacteria. Researchers have found that some foot odor is produced by a microbe used in making cheese. Foot odor is so strong that it can soak into leather shoes. Some people's feet sweat and smell more than others. Bathing the feet with alcohol, using antiperspirants, or taking oral medication prescribed by a doctor can help someone bothered by sweaty feet.

Because the smell receptors in the nose adapt quickly to constantly present odors, people are not usually conscious of their own body odors, even when others might consider them particularly foul.

Bad breath (Halitosis): Today people find bad breadth so embarrassing. Normal breath itself is composed of odorless gases. Odors can be added to the breath from sources in the mouth, as well as the lungs and sometimes the stomach.

Insufficient tooth brushing and flossing can leave food particles on the teeth. The mixture of food and saliva provides nourishment for mouth bacteria, which produce smelly by-products during their fermenting process resulting in bad breath. The odor is usually strongest just after awakening. Tooth decay and gum disease contribute to the odor problem by adding foul smelling hydrogen sulfide to the breadth.

Antihistamines and other medications may reduce the flow of saliva, producing a dry mouth and gum problems that can result in mouth odor. Drinking alcoholic beverages contributes the odor of alcohol; smoking contributes to halitosis in several ways. Mouth washes that kill germs can help a bit with halitosis.

In a nut shell, the simplest and most basic way of fighting body odor is to observe personal hygiene like washing at least daily and brushing your teeth after every meal.