Don’t let body odor make you lose confidence!
Tips to Cure Body Odor
Body odor is not a dangerous condition and does not significantly affect health, but it can impact one’s psychology, communication, and quality of life.
The main causes of body odor are body constitution, obesity, high physical activity, and strong emotional responses such as nervousness and anxiety, leading to increased underarm sweating. Additionally, environmental climate and diet also play a role. There is currently no research confirming that body odor is hereditary.
Methods to Cure Body Odor
Baking Soda
This is a very effective and popular method for treating body odor. The reason is that baking soda has excellent odor-absorbing properties. Simply sprinkle a little baking soda on the underarm area and leave it overnight. Regularly applying this method about 3 times a week will yield quick results.
Alum
Alum is often used to eliminate odors in hands, feet, and especially the underarm area due to its high disinfectant, deodorizing, and antibacterial properties. Depending on the severity of the odor, you can apply alum treatment about 2-3 times a week. For this method, use roasted and finely powdered alum to rub onto the underarm area after showering.
Fresh Lemon
Lemons contain a high amount of citric acid, which is very effective in killing bacteria and controlling sweat under the arms. Furthermore, the abundant vitamin C in this fruit helps to whiten and prevent darkening in the underarm area effectively. For fresh lemons, simply cut them into slices, rub them on the underarm, and wash off after about 15 minutes. Applying this daily will greatly improve the odor situation.
Betel Leaves
Studies show that betel leaves contain substances like diataza, tannin, and especially fragrant essential oils, which can effectively eliminate body odor. To use this method, take 2-4 fresh betel leaves, wash them, and rub them on the underarms after showering. Betel leaves have excellent disinfectant and deodorizing properties, thus helping to eliminate unpleasant odors caused by sweat.
Ginger
The essential oils and pungent compounds in ginger help prevent sweating, keeping the skin dry and reducing unpleasant odors. Therefore, you can use ginger to treat body odor by juicing fresh ginger and applying the juice to the underarm area.
Note: Clean and dry the underarm area before application. Do not apply if there are open wounds in that area.
Bitter Melon
Bitter melon has excellent deodorizing properties, making it ideal for treating body odor. Wash the bitter melon, slice it thinly, and dry it. Then, brew it with hot water and drink it like tea.
Alternatively, you can wash bitter melon leaves, blend them into a juice, and apply it directly to the underarms after showering. Consistently applying this for a week will significantly improve underarm odor.
Mugwort Leaves
Dried mugwort leaves can be boiled to make a diluted solution for bathing. Taking a bath or wiping your body with mugwort water before bed can help improve body odor. It also helps create a relaxed and comfortable feeling, promoting better sleep.
Guava Leaves
While betel leaves are disinfectant, guava leaves have antibacterial properties. The natural method of treating body odor with guava leaves is very simple. Wash a handful of guava leaves, boil them to make tea, and mix it with bath water. Alternatively, you can crush a handful of young guava leaves and rub them directly onto the underarms, then rinse with clean water.
In medicine, there are several methods for treating body odor, such as using microwave technology or surgical removal of underarm sweat glands. Dr. Nguyen Huu Quang, Deputy Head of the Cosmetic Surgery Department at the Central Dermatology Hospital, advises that children under 18 with body odor should not undergo treatment, as all organs are not fully developed, and the results may not meet expectations. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers experience hormonal changes, and it is completely normal to have body odor. It is best to maintain proper hygiene.
Doctors recommend that individuals with body odor avoid using unverified medications. Introducing unknown chemicals into the body can lead to anaphylactic shock, liver poisoning, and damage to internal organs, which can be life-threatening. “Topical medications can have serious consequences, with some cases causing ulcerative inflammatory reactions, pain, and discomfort,” the doctor stated.
Essential Tips for Treating Body Odor:
- Maintain personal hygiene by showering daily with antibacterial soap…
- Choose loose, breathable clothing made from sweat-absorbing materials, and change clothes daily. Clothes should also be washed thoroughly, dried, and fabric softener can be used for a pleasant fragrance.
- Increase water intake and limit spicy, hot foods, alcohol, and coffee…
- In some necessary cases, you may use deodorant when going out or in crowded places.
Foods to Avoid for Those with Body Odor
Onion and Garlic
Onion and garlic are on the list of foods that cause unpleasant sweat odor. Even healthy individuals should consider their intake of these two spices on hot days. Therefore, it is best to minimize their use.
Spicy and Hot Spices
Spices that are spicy and hot, such as chili, pepper, mustard, and strongly aromatic spices like star anise and cinnamon, will make your sweat odor more unpleasant. Your body will also sweat more, thus worsening the situation.
High-protein foods such as shrimp, crab, and seafood will increase your body temperature and cause more sweating. Although you cannot completely avoid these foods, it is advisable to consume them in moderation and balance them with cool foods like green vegetables and refreshing fruits.
High-Protein Foods
Foods high in protein can increase body temperature and cause more sweating than usual. Examples of high-protein foods include shrimp, crab, fish, beef, and seafood.
Stimulants and Alcoholic Beverages
Excessive consumption of stimulants and alcohol, such as coffee, wine, and beer, can worsen body odor due to the acidity of these drinks, leading to increased sweating and, consequently, more unpleasant body odor.
Jackfruit and Durian
No matter how much you love these two fruits, it is best to avoid them. Eating jackfruit and durian can lead to incredibly unpleasant sweat odors.
Oily Foods
Fried and greasy foods are also among the causes of increased sweat gland activity, producing more unpleasant sweat odors. These foods are also not beneficial to overall health.
