Underarm odor usually occurs first at puberty, when sweat from the apocrine glands combines with bacteria in your body. The smell tends to get worse as you get older. Many people start using underarm deodorant or antiperspirant at puberty or early adolescence. Deodorants inhibit bacteria that cause underarm odor.
5 reasons why your armpits smell
Eccrine and apocrine glands
Your skin contains two types of sweat glands, known as the eccrine and apocrine glands. Most of the armpit sweat comes from the eccrine glands, is odorless and serves to cool the body. Eccrine sweat is mainly water and salt. Fresh apocrine sweat is also odorless, but when combined with bacteria found in 90% of male armpits and 70% of female armpits, it causes body odor. Apocrine sweat is fat-based perspiration that is digested by the causative bacteria.
You don't have proper hygiene
Keeping your body clean becomes especially important when you enter adolescence. You may discover that you can't go that long without bathing or showering before your body begins to smell. A daily shower with hot soapy water may be enough to keep you smelling fresh, although you may need to shower more often if you are very active or tend to sweat a lot. If you're concerned about body odor, try a deodorant bath soap.
Do you use antiperspirants or deodorants?
Antiperspirants contain aluminum to help block the sweat glands and prevent perspiration. If you don't sweat, your armpits probably don't stink. Some people prefer not to use antiperspirants due to concerns about aluminum content. The deodorant does not prevent you from sweating but inhibits the growth of bacteria that cause bad odor. Natural deodorants contain ingredients like sage, ammonium alum, and baking soda. You may need to reapply the deodorant more often during the day than the antiperspirant.
Pay attention to your diet
Diet can play a role in the aroma of your armpits. Changing from a diet rich in refined and processed foods to one based primarily on whole foods like vegetables, fruits, and grains can reduce body odor. They recommend eating foods rich in chlorophyll , herbs such as parsley, coriander, and mint.
You have hyperhidrosis
Hyperhidrosis is a medical condition in which your body sweats more than necessary to keep you cool. This condition generally affects the armpits, hands, and feet. Episodes of heavy sweating occur at least once a week without excessive physical exertion. Causes of hyperhidrosis include menopause, low blood sugar, and an overactive thyroid. Treatments include prescription antiperspirants, Botox injections, and, in extreme cases, surgery to cut the nerves that go to the sweat glands.
