Sweating/Body Odor

Sweating is necessary to control body temperature and is regulated by the nervous system. Excessive sweating can be embarrassing and may sometimes signal a more serious health problem. Although perspiration is basically odorless, it can take on an unpleasant smell when it comes into contact with bacteria on skin. Body odor is affected by what sweat glands emit. If body odor is very unpleasant it may affect your social life. Body odor may be caused due to kidney disease, fungal infection, liver disease, some medicine, stress, or anxiety. Poor hygiene is the most common reason for body odor. Excessive sweating can also be a symptom of an underlying condition, such as hyperthyroidism, menopause, obesity or psychiatric disorders.

Sweating Symptoms

• Excessive sweating.
• Sweating can occur in many different areas of the body, but the palms are most commonly affected.
• Other commonly affected areas include the soles of the feet, the armpits, the face, the head, the groin, and the back.

Home Remedies for Sweating

• Cornstarch: Apply cornstarch to odor-prone areas which minimizes moisture and discourages bacterial growth.
• Tomato: Soak yourself for 15 minutes in bath water with couple of cups of tomato juice in it.
• Vinegar: Instead of using deodorant, wipe your sweat producing areas like armpit using white vinegar or alcohol.
• Baking soda: Apply some baking soda on arm pit, it will absorb sweat and kill bacteria.
• If your body odor is caused due to any medicine that you are on, then you need to talk to your doctor.

Do’s for Sweating

• Take bathe at least once daily in warm water. Dry yourself thoroughly afterward.
• Wear clean clothes everyday. Choose natural fabrics, such as cotton.
• Drink plenty of water to replenish fluids lost through sweating.
• Drink coconut milk in a hot climate. Also, drinking fresh pressed juice from green vegetables such as cucumber, celery and parsley is an excellent way to replace lost nutrients.
• Drink freshly squeezed lemon and lime juice which possess a mild astringent effect that tends to reduce perspiration.
• If you are overweight, try to lose some weight.

Don’ts for Sweating

• Avoid drinking caffeine or alcohol.
• Avoid pungent foods such as onions, garlic and chili peppers which are likely to make you sweat.
• Avoid refined sugar, white flour, hydrogenated oils and other processed foods.
• To avoid foot odor wear cotton socks, and change socks regularly.

See Doctor

• You are losing weight.
• The sweating is prolonged or unusual.

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