Armpits smell when your sweat comes into contact with the bacteria on your skin. Certain practices may help reduce body odor.
Even though most individuals have dealt with odorous armpits before, they can nevertheless make you feel self-conscious.
Malodorous armpits, also referred to as body odor (BO) or, more properly, brom hidrosis, are typically not a reason for alarm.
Anxiety may be reduced by taking precautions against and managing armpit odor.
Why do my armpits smell?
Sweating is a necessary process that aids in cooling down, which is why your body is covered in sweat glands.
Sweat glands come in two primary varieties (Trusted Source):
- Eccrine glands: These open immediately on the skin’s surface and cover a large portion of your body.
- Apocrine glands: These grow in regions like the armpit and groin that have a lot of hair follicles.
- Instead, apocrine glands drain into the hair follicle before opening up to the skin’s surface.
Sweat and odorous armpits are commonly linked to the apocrine glands.
Eccrine glands release water to help cool your body when it gets hot.
Typically, this has no smell. During puberty, apocrine glands form.
Additionally, Trusted Source secretes an odorless fluid. However, it can acquire an odor that is frequently linked to odorous armpits when it comes into touch with microorganisms on the skin.
For this reason, most people first notice odorous underarms during puberty.
Additionally, studies indicate that certain diets or vitamin deficits may alter the makeup of your perspiration, which may alter its odor.
Although sweating is a normal biological function, some people perspire more than others. We refer to this as hyperhidrosis.
People who have hyperhidrosis sweat a much, especially in areas like the hands, feet, and armpits where there are a lot of eccrine glands (Trusted Source).
How to deal with odo underarms
As of right now, there are no clear rules on how to deal with body odor, like odorous armpits.
The degree of the body odor and its underlying source may determine how it is managed.
When odorous armpits are a result of poor hygiene
Consult a healthcare provider if over-the-counter deodorants don’t work.
They might suggest a number of distinct prescription therapies.
- Botox injections: By injecting Botox into the sweat glands, armpit sweating and odor may be reduced.
- This is a typical course of treatment. A reliable source for hyperhidrosis sufferers.
- Apocrine sweat glands and hair follicles in the armpits may be destroyed by laser treatment, which could lessen perspiration and smells. Microwave therapy,
- electroacupuncture, and radiofrequency may also be beneficial.
- Surgery: To more permanently treat brom hidrosis in extreme cases, a physician may suggest various surgical procedures, such as liposuction, radical excision, and local skin excision.
How to avoid having odorous underarms
You may be able to avoid underarm odor altogether by taking the following precautions.
- Shower every day with soap: Eliminate the bacteria and perspiration that generate odors by taking a shower after physically demanding activities like exercising or participating in sports
- .If you perspire a lot, it’s crucial to wear loose-fitting, breathable clothing like cotton, linen, and moisture-wicking blends.
- Compared to tight clothing made of non-breathable materials, these will help your body stay cooler.
- Take out your hair: According to a 2015 study (Trusted Source), armpit odor was considerably lessened by shaving or waxing the area. This is due to the fact that shaved or waxed skin is easier to clean.
- Stress relief: Managing stress and anxiety may help you control your stress response and reduce your physiological sweat response since stress can trigger the production of perspiration by sweat glands.
