Combat BodyODOURCombat BodyODOURSweltering summer days mean excessive perspiration. And with that comes body odour. When crammed in a train, a bus or in a busy shopping street, we are surrounded by the distinctive smell of sweat. Many of us have faced this unpleasant embarrassment from time to time. Fortunately there are ways to combat this problem. Dipti. P speaks to the experts to bring to you how to encounter it and stay fresh even in the hottest and broiling days.

22 | May 2012

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Sweat has no smell of its own. The body odour or B.O. or else known as bromhidrosisis due to the growth of bacteria on the body. These bacteria live on the skin and break down sweat into acids, the smell of which emanates as body odour.

What causes Body Odour? Dr. Navin Taneja, Director of the National Skin Centre says, “One’s

faulty lifestyle, weight, skin problems, gender and genetics determine the body odour. Strong medicines, smoking cigarettes, alcohol, weak metabolism, poor hygiene are a few other causes of odour. Body odour is the result of the actions of bacteria. These unpleasant smells of our bodies come out when bacteria that live on the skin feed on it and break it down. Armpits and genitals are the most likely body part to produce body odour as these glands produce proteins and oily substances that the bacteria feed on.”

Founder & Director Zhi Holistic Pvt Ltd, Dr. Chetan Tamhankarexplains the process in detail. He explains, “The average human body has three to four million sweat glands, of which there are only two types: Eccrine glands - a type of simple sweat gland that is located in almost all areas where there is skin and Apocrine glands that are found in the breasts, genitals, eyelids, armpits and ears. The apocrine glands are mainly responsible for body odour because the sweat they produce is high in protein which can be broken down by bacteria easily. The Eccrine glands produce sweat which is high in salt, making it harder for bacteria to break down the protein. In other words, a lot of our B.O. comes from the sweat produced by our apocrine glands.”

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How can I reduce the Body Odour?

How can I reduce the Body Odour?

Dr. Pankaj Chaturvedi, MD (AIIMS), FAAD (USA), Consultant Dermatologist, Trichologist, Laser and Hair Transplant Surgeon, Adiva Aesthetics advises, “Since bacteria are mainly responsible for producing body odour, cleanliness is an important part of the total solution. Bathe daily using a mild soap. Deodorant soaps are not only harsh to the skin but they also encourage the growth of resistant bacteria. Change into a clean set of clothes preferably cotton clothes after bathing.” He further adds, “Examine your diet! There are some foods that can contribute to body odour. Meats, alcohol, onion, garlic, strong curries are some of them. Make it a point to drink plenty of water as you need to be clean inside as well as outside. Water is a good cleansing agent. It helps to flush out unwanted poisonous elements from our bodies. Start your day with a glass or two of fresh clean water. Strive to drink the usual eight glasses a day.” Senior Consultant Dermatologist, Apollo Hospital, Bangalore, Dr. Umashankaralso stresses on keeping a check on the daily diet as food plays an important factor in excretion of body odour. “Food items, in fact many food items can get excreted through sweat and can emanate odour. One has to be cautious while taking food items such as garlic, onion and red meat.” However apart from food habits, a slight change in lifestyle is also important. Divita Kanoria,

Founder, Tatha shares a quick and easy tip

on personal hygiene -“A couple of drop of tea tree essential oil mixed

with water splashed in the underarm after

you bathe is extremely helpful as tea tree is

both anti-bacterial and anti-fungal. Using a chemical

free powder made of corn starch

and baking powder mixed with essential oils

is another good remedy.” Natasha Shah, Founder, The

Nature’s Co. too shares an insightful solution to this problem; suggests, “Use anti-bacterial soaps to bath. This ensures the reduction of bacterial and fungal growth in areas prone to sweating. Use a body mist just after bathing. Towel-dry the skin and apply when the skin is still slightly moist. The essential oils seepin giving a pleasant lingering fragrance on your body after use.”

Yes, it can be treated!There are various surgical options if you suffer

from a medical condition known as ‘Hyperhidrosis’. In this condition the person suffers from severe sweating which cannot be controlled even after constant remedies. Dr. Shobha Sehgal, Head Beauty, Indian Sub-Continent and Business Head Day Spa, VLCC Healthcare Ltd. discusses various options, say, “There are surgical treatments, but only for severe sweating – a condition known as hyperhidrosis. This involves either removing a small area of skin from the armpit under administration of local anesthesia to remove some sweat glands or destroying the nerve centers that control sweating under the arms. This is called an endoscopic transthoracic sympathectomy. Botox - a bacterial poison that stops nerves

from working properly can also be used as a treatment for hyperhidrosis. A small amount of Botox is injected into the skin near the armpit. This helps with the excessive sweating from the armpit but does not help with excessive sweating of hands and feet. It is a safe procedure but a temporary solution.” Dr. Chetan Tamhankaradds, “Botulinum toxin or Botoxis a toxin produced by Clostridium Botulinum. It is the most poisonous biological substance known. However, very small and controlled doses are today being used in various fields of Medicine. The patient is given approximately 12 injections of botulinum toxin in the armpits. The toxin blocks the signals from the brain to the sweat glands resulting in less sweating in the targeted area. One treatment can last from two to eight months.”

Dr. Partha Sarathi Dutta Roy, MBBS, MD, DVD, Consultant Dermatologist, Manipal Cure and Care Clinics lists out few common yet golden remediesto prevent body odour. He shares -

a germicidal soap or povidone iodine skin cleanser.

creams, use of deodorants containing metallic aluminium, Zirconium or zinc salts.

should use topical aluminium chloride 20 per cent.Choose the option which is best suited and

lead a body odour free life.

23May 2012 |