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Body odor is the unpleasant smell that is caused by the interaction of the mixing of perspiration and bacteria on the skin. Sweat by itself is usually an odorless body secretion,. When bacteria multiply on the skin and breaks down the secretions, the resulting affect is a strong and unpleasant odor. Many times this is the result of poor personal hygiene, but it can be a sign of an undiagnosed medical condition.

There is a condition known as hyperhidrosis where individuals tend to sweat excessively. These individuals are likely to develop a strong body odor. The name for a medical condition in which an individuals sweat has an unpleasant odor is called Bromhidrosis.

Body odor is sometimes caused by an underlying condition, it should be investigated by having a thorough medical exam.

There are remedies for the relief of body odor:

* You can use chlorophyll tablets that are taken orally to help absorb body toxins and odors.

* There are individuals who have found relief by taking two to three charcoal capsules daily for a few weeks to help absorb waste products that may be causing the body odor.

* Sage tea or sage extracts can be taken orally. There is also a undiluted alcohol extract of sage that can be used under the arms.

* Using baking soda or body powder can be used to keep areas dry and absorb or mask body odor.

* Watch your diet to improve digestion,have regular bowel movements. Drinking six to eight glasses of water should be the norm to help flush your system.

* using antiperspirants containing aluminum chloride applied under the arms, around the groin, feet or under breast can help relieve odor and wetness.

* Deodorant preparations that do not contain antiperspirants can help.

Back to prevention is really the key to eliminating most body odor. Good hygiene practices will usually eliminate body odor. Taking a daily bath or shower, wearing cotton socks and non synthetic shoes that allow your feet to breath, changing your socks a couple times a day can all help to eliminate body odor. There are products like foot powders and odor absorbing shoe inserts that can be helpful with foot odor problems.

There are foods and spices that can actually intensify body odor. Examples of foods that might need to be avoided are, onions,garlic, and cumin contains oils that cause odor as they are excreted through the skin. Also using nicotine and caffeine products can increase sweating and therefore increase the chance for having body odor.

There are certain medications like Wellbutrin and tamoxifen that can be responsible for causing body odor. Certain medical conditions like liver disease, kidney disease, diabetes or fungal infections can cause body odors.

If you bathe daily with soap and water, and use deodorants or antiperspirants it usually is sufficient enough to prevent unpleasant body odors. If you are practicing good hygiene daily and still have body odor, a trip to see your physician is the best solution.

Learn more about this author, D. P. Noe.
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