When summer comes and the temperature rises, you become more concerned about summer clothes that may show sweat stains or the smell of sweat while working, going out for a day walk, or exercising.
Body smell results when sweat mixes with bacteria on the skin, causing a bad smell. This smell may be affected by some foods or lifestyle, which makes some people develop an unpleasant smell compared to others.
Are you one of those who suffer from a bad sweat smell? So, in this article, learn about Natural Remedies for Sweating Smell. So, stay with us.
In this Article
What Causes the Unpleasant Sweat Odor in the Armpits?
Apocrine glands are found in areas where hair follicles are located because they open inside the hair follicles and then appear on the surface of the skin. Their presence is concentrated in the thigh and armpit. These glands secrete sweat when they come into contact with bacteria on your skin, and their work does not become active until puberty.
As for the sweat glands, they open directly on the surface of the skin, and sweat helps cool the body and regulate body temperature, especially after muscle effort and heat.
Thus, the mixing of water, salts, and fats present in sweat with bacteria present in the skin leads to the appearance of an armpit smell, this smell is affected by hormones, medications, and some foods with a strong smell. So some people are more exposed to bad smell than others, and among the reasons that lead to bad armpits smell:
- Anxiety.
- Stress.
- Medications.
- Obesity.
- Thyroid disorders.
- Gout.
- Gastrointestinal disorders.
- Diabetes.
- Hormonal disorders due to menopause.
- Foods that contain sulfur, such as garlic, onions, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, red meat, and some spices such as curry and cumin.
- Consume a lot of caffeine.
How to Get Rid of the Smell of Sweat?
As temperatures rise, your body’s secretion of sweat increases, and thus the smell of sweat and yellow spots that cause you embarrassment increase. You constantly use deodorants to prevent the smell of sweat. This is a good option, but it carries many drawbacks.
When you use antiperspirants:You are exposing your body to aluminum salts that close the sweat glands, which causes many problems in the future, and may also expose you to breast cancer, according to a study conducted by the University of California on a group of women with breast cancer, and their daily lifestyle, as they all confirmed that they use chemical antiperspirants. Women have become suspicious about the relationship between deodorants and breast cancer, and that it is one of the indirect causes of the disease.
As for when you use deodorant: It removes the unpleasant smell of sweat through antibacterial agents that work to reduce its appearance through refreshing aromatic scents. However, these deodorants may contain chemicals that may cause skin irritation and allergies, and you will need large quantities during your day.
Many women resort to safe, natural elements to care for their beauty, and replacing chemical deodorants with natural deodorants is a major transformation for those who are accustomed to using chemical deodorants.
Dr. Annie Gonzalez, a board-certified dermatologist from the University of Miami, says: “If you have tried chemical deodorants for a long time, and then replaced them with natural deodorants, the unpleasant smell at first will appear stronger. This is normal because you removed what was blocking your pores, because the skin needs some time to adapt to natural deodorants, and in the first period you will not find improvement, because your body is in the stage of cleansing toxins. Sweating is a natural process through which the body gets rid of waste. To speed up the change process, you can use natural removers that include clay or charcoal to quickly get rid of odor-causing impurities, including bacteria, dirt, and oils. Your body needs from three days to two weeks to adapt to the change.”
Tips before Using Natural Remedies for Sweat Odor
Armpit Hygiene
You must make sure that your armpits are clean of accumulations, traces of sweat, and old deodorant while continuing to shave your armpits or remove hair in a way that suits you because hair is a suitable environment for bacteria to grow.
Maintain Personal Hygiene
Bathing daily with water and antibacterial soap prevents bad smell, because you have removed the bacteria causing it, and this is included under the list of “Natural Remedies for Sweating Smell”.
Wear Clean Clothes
Do not re-wear clothes that you have sweated in.
Wear Cotton Clothes
Wearing comfortable cotton clothes allows the skin to breathe, especially underwear. Do not wear tight clothes or synthetic fabrics such as nylon and polyester that increase sweating, and therefore you will get amazing results from the list of “Natural Remedies for Sweating Smell”.
Pay Attention to Diet
Some foods may have a strong smell that makes the body smell worse, such as onions, garlic, and alcohol.
Stay Away from Stress and Anxiety
High levels of stress lead to fatigue of the secretory sweat glands. Maintain relaxation and meditation exercises to reduce tension and stress.
Drink Sufficient Amounts of Water
Drinking sufficient amounts of water keeps the body hydrated inside and out, purifies the body of toxins, and thus eliminates odor-causing bacteria.
Eat Leafy Vegetables
Studies have confirmed that chlorophyll found in leafy vegetables is able to rid the body of unpleasant smells. Leafy vegetables rich in chlorophyll regulate the amount of sweat in the body, and some leafy vegetables such as spinach and chard may work to eliminate the factors that cause unpleasant smells.
Also read: Natural Hair Care Masks
Natural Remedies for Sweating Smell
If you are a supporter of nature and want to stay away from formulas consisting of chemicals, you will now find several natural and easy items to get rid of the smell of sweat and maintain a fresh smell naturally, but be careful, my dear, these items may not be suitable for everyone. It is best to conduct an allergy test before using them.
We will now include for you a list of “Natural Remedies for Sweating Smell”:
Green Tea
It is one of the most important antioxidants that work to remove toxins and regulate sweat glands. It is also useful in getting rid of foot smell. Soak green tea bags in water, then press them on the armpit area for five minutes, then wash them well.
Rock Salt
Rock salt is considered one of the most powerful antiseptic substances that kills bacteria present on the surface of the skin and eliminates excess sweat.
Add an appropriate amount of salt to the bathtub, take a relaxing bath, keep your body clean and free of odor-causing microbes, and enjoy this best technique on the list of “Natural Remedies for Sweating Smell”.
Apple Cider Vinegar
Its acidic properties can cleanse the skin and eliminate toxic microbes, and its astringent properties make it able to constrict pores and control sweat. When used on the skin, it can form a thin layer that helps keep the pores closed.
Add a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar to a large cup of water and dissolve it well, then wet a piece of cotton with the diluted vinegar, and wipe the sweating areas. You can use it after showering, but do not use it directly after shaving or after hair removal as it may cause skin irritation.
Apple cider vinegar can help reduce sweat and expel toxins from the body when taken daily by adding a teaspoon of apple cider vinegar and a teaspoon of honey and dissolving them in a cup of warm water.
Tomato Juice
Tomatoes contain antioxidants, and their astringent properties reduce excess sweat gland secretions and prevent the appearance of microbes. They may cause allergies. Try a very small amount on your skin, and do not use it immediately after shaving.
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which is known for its ability to kill bacteria. Its antimicrobial properties kill odor-causing bacteria and prevent their appearance, which leads to the body maintaining a pleasant smell.
Therefore, wiping the areas that secrete sweat with coconut oil and adding it to our food keeps our body feeling fresh. You can use it on a daily basis by wiping the areas prone to sweating with coconut oil, thus obtaining its distinctive effect on the list of “Natural Remedies for Sweating Smell”.
Fenugreek
It is one of the useful drinks in giving a beautiful smell to the body. It also repels toxins and prevents any bacterial infection from spreading. Fenugreek tea gives the body a beautiful smell by completely eliminating bacteria. You can drink fenugreek tea every morning, adding a teaspoon of fenugreek to 250 ml of water, boiling it, then drinking it hot.
Rose water
Rose water has the property of tightening pores, which reduces the secretion of sweat, and its beautiful scent remains in the body. It can be sprayed on areas prone to sweating on a daily basis, as it is one of the best and gentlest ingredients on the list of “Natural Remedies for Sweating Smell”.
Lemon Juice
Lemon contains antimicrobial properties that stop the growth of microbes. It works as a disinfectant and sterilizer and removes toxins from the body. You can dilute the lemon with water and then wipe the sweaty areas of the body.
Aromatic Oils
To give the body a distinctive natural scent, you can use essential oils such as lavender oil or peppermint oil as natural deodorants that give the body a refreshing scent.
You can make your own deodorant by mixing lavender oil with cornstarch, putting it in a small bottle, and using it as a deodorant on a daily basis, as the starch is antibacterial, and when mixed with essential oils, it absorbs moisture from the skin and also has benefits in lightening the skin.
Also read: Natural Skin Lightening Mixtures
Baking Soda
Baking soda absorbs sweat, stops bacteria growth, and balances pH levels. Baking soda also helps people with hyperhidrosis not develop skin diseases associated with hyperhidrosis.
You can make a paste of baking soda by adding it to water. Apply the paste to the armpit until it dries, then wash it with lukewarm water. Do not forget to test for allergies because sensitive skin may be affected by baking soda. It is best to consult a doctor to avoid any annoying complications.
Aloe vera gel
Aloe vera gel can be used as a deodorant because of its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. You can mix a cup of aloe vera gel with three cups of water. Mix well until you get a light green liquid. Using a clean cloth, pass the mixture on your armpits. Leave it until it dries. There is no need to wash it off with water. You can keep the mixture in the refrigerator and use it daily. Therefore, it is one of the best components of the list of “Natural Remedies for Sweating Smell”.
Also read: Natural Remedies for Sweating Smell
Common Sage
An excellent treatment for hyperhidrosis, sage leaves have antibacterial and antifungal functions, which leads to reducing bacteria under the arms, which leads to excessive sweating.
Sage leaves also contain tannic acid, which works to constrict the sweat glands, leading to reduced perspiration. It can be taken in the form of tea or used as a natural deodorant. You need a teaspoon of dried sage leaves soaked in two cups of boiling water. Leave it in the water for ten minutes. Let it cool well and use it on sweating areas.
Black Tea
Black tea contains tannic acid, as black tea has a high percentage of tannic acid compared to other types of tea, and thus a higher ability to shrink the sweat glands, which greatly reduces the amount of sweat.
You need two black tea bags with three cups of boiling water. Steep the tea for 15 minutes, then apply the cooled tea to the sweating areas using a clean towel.
Tea Tree Oil
Derived from tea trees, it has a distinctive fragrant scent and antibacterial properties. It can be used as a natural deodorant, as tea tree oil removes bacteria from the body and gives you healthy skin. Because it is not acidic, it can be used on sensitive areas. Mix three drops of it in a cup of water and wipe your armpits on a daily basis, it is one of the nicest ingredients on the list of “Natural Remedies for Sweating Smell”.
When to See the Doctor
Increased sweating may indicate the presence of certain diseases. The following symptoms require consulting a doctor:
- If you sweat while sleeping
- If your skin is constantly covered in sweat
- Increased sweating with a change in body odor
- If you are exposed to inflammation in the areas that secrete sweat
- If you sweat in cold areas, even when you are not doing any activity
- When sweat smells like bleach, this is an indication that the body has liver or kidney disease.
- If sweating affects your daily life activities, such as using the computer or holding a pen.
A Great Homemade Recipe for Deodorant
After talking about a number of natural treatments for the smell of sweating, we will talk about a homemade deodorant that you can make with your own hands and the ingredients are available in your kitchen. Prepare your own recipe for a natural deodorant without chemicals. You will need:
- Two teaspoons of shea butter
- Two teaspoons of cornstarch
- Three teaspoons of coconut oil
- Three drops of lavender essential oil
- Three tablespoons of rose water
How to prepare:
- Over medium heat, melt the shea butter with the coconut oil
- Remove the mixture from the heat and add the cornstarch
- Mix the ingredients well
- Add rose water and lavender oil
- Place the mixture in a closed container and store it in the refrigerator.
It is recommended to conduct an allergy test before trying any of the previous treatments, because some skin types may not be suitable for these treatments.
Medical Procedures that May Reduce Sweating
The doctor can prescribe small injections of Botox in the armpit to temporarily prevent sweating, but you must be careful because the body needs to sweat in order to cool itself when needed.
Or you may be prescribed the use of ointments containing antibiotics to prevent the appearance of bacteria under the armpits, and in critical cases, an operation is performed to remove the sweat glands under the armpits, or to prevent nerve signals from reaching the sweat glands.
In the end, we hope you liked the article, and gave you many ideas about Natural Remedies for Sweating Smell. We hope that you will apply them and give us your opinion. Stay safe.
Frequently Asked Questions about Natural Remedies for Sweating Smell
Is it enough to use antibacterial soap while showering to eliminate the smell of sweat?
Antibacterial soap is useful in reducing the appearance of the smell of sweat because it helps reduce the presence of bacteria on the skin, thus reducing the appearance of the smell of sweat, so focus while showering on rubbing your armpits well with antibacterial soap to reduce the bacterial load.
Why does sweat smell bad?
Sweat itself has no smell, but bacteria on the skin interact with sweat and produce this smell. Several factors also cause this smell, such as medications, hormonal disorders, and some foods.
What is the relationship between diabetes and bad breath?
Having diabetes leads to ketoacidosis, which is associated with diabetes. A high ketone level causes the blood to turn acidic, and the body emits a strange smell indicating the accumulation of toxins in the body.
Do hormonal disorders cause unpleasant sweating?
Hormonal disorders cause changes in body smell, due to hormonal fluctuations, night sweats, and hot flashes that occur during menopause, which cause excessive sweating, which leads to changes in the smell of sweat.
What is the link between hyperhidrosis and thyroid disorders?
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include heat intolerance and excessive sweating.
Is it possible to get rid of the smell of sweating using green tea?
Green tea, as an antioxidant, can prevent the accumulation of bacteria that cause sweat smell, and thus greatly reduce the appearance of the odor, if you use it regularly.
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