Body odour

Everyone worries about whether they smell, so how do you make sure you don't? The Mix sniffs out the facts.

I definitely should have put on deoderant

Why do I smell?

It’s probably your sweat.

A bit of sweat is normal to keep our body temperature between 36?C and 37?C. Our sweat glands are effectively tiny built-in air conditioners scattered under the surface of the skin. When things hot up they keeps us cool by getting moisture onto the surface of the skin. As sweat evaporates it takes the heat away. It’s a very simple and effective process. Unfortunately, there’s a downside.

When it’s fresh, sweat doesn’t smell. Things only get smelly after a few hours, when bacteria begins to break it down. It’s particularly noticeable under the armpits and around the groin and nipples where the sweat glands are most concentrated. Unfortunately, when things get niffy, we’re often the last to know.

How do I avoid getting stinky?

• Wash regularly with an anti-bacterial soap to remove stale sweat and keep bacteria in order.
• Concentrate particularly on washing under the armpits, where up to 80% of the body’s sweat glands can be found.
• Wear fresh underclothes, preferably cotton which lets the skin breathe.
• Avoid synthetic garments.
• There are two types of product you can use to handle perspiration and body odour. Antiperspirant and deodorant. Before you buy, it’s important to be aware of the difference between the two: antiperspirants block the pores in the skin and stops sweat leaving the skin, deodorants let you sweat, but destroy or mask the bacteria causing B.O.
• During adolescence, hormonal changes can lead to a temporary increase in sweating.

In some cases, excessive sweating could be a treatable medical condition. If you’re worried, check it out with your GP.

Photo of girl smelling her armpit by Shutterstock.