Smelly Armpits? Not Anymore: Try These 5 Hygiene Practices for a Fresher You
It is difficult to prevent sweating in an area like the underarms which has multiple layers of skin. So, it can be a bit difficult to maintain cleanliness there, but it must be done. Poor hygiene of the underarms leads to underarm odor that can make you self-conscious from time to time. You don't want your first impression to be a stinker, do you? Here are tips on how to get rid of underarm odor naturally.
How to get rid of smelly armpits?
1. Wear comfortable clothes
If you want to get rid of armpit odor, you should avoid wearing synthetic clothes or tight-fitting clothes. You should choose comfortable cotton clothes that will give your skin room to breathe and absorb sweat, ultimately reducing odor. Women enjoy wearing sleeveless dresses in summer, but it also increases skin friction which leads to more sweat and odor.
2. Get rid of unwanted hair
Underarm hair hinders proper hygiene, so it is best to wax them. “Armpit hair provides more surface area for sweat to adhere to and provides a fertile breeding ground for bacteria. So, shaving your armpits is fine or laser hair removal is better,” says Dr Sharad.
3. Wear clean clothes
It is also important to wash clothes thoroughly on a regular basis, especially clothes that come in contact with sweaty areas of your body. Avoid using fragranced detergents and wash them with mild, non-harsh detergents. If you want to get rid of underarm odor, make it a rule to never repeat the next day without washing your clothes.
4. Avoid spicy food
That's right! What you eat also has a huge impact on your underarms and overall body odor. Dr. Sharad advises avoiding pungent foods like hot peppers, garlic, onions and certain spices as they deodorize the body and can cause underarm odor. Because these foods are high in sulfur which gets into our blood and makes our breath and sweat smell bad.
5. Try antibacterial soap
There are some people whose body odor is very strong and deodorants and perfumes do not work on them. While others have very sensitive skin and these deodorants cause irritation or allergic reactions. In such cases, they can use antibacterial soap. "An anti-fungal powder like clotrimazole powder or any mild talc also helps absorb sweat and gives a refreshing feeling," says Dr Sharad.