Body Odor - The best way to control body odor is by bathing daily. It is caused by bacteria acting upon perspiration and body oils, primarily in the glandular areas under the arms and near the genitals. Washing away the bacteria gives you a fresh start, whereas perfumes and lotions merely create a more complex body bouquet. If you have a persistent body odor problem, try changing brands of soap, as some may have ingredients that react negatively with your body chemistry and can actually cause odor. Deodorants, which have antibacterial agents, and antiperspirants can be helpful. Antiperspirants contain an aluminum compound, usually aluminum chloride or aluminum chlorohydrate. Aluminum chloride is more effective at inhibiting perspiration, but it can cause skin irritation and damage clothing. Test different products carefully, or try a mild homemade deodorant of baking soda-just dab a little under your arms after you've dried off from the shower. Be sure to wear clean underwear and clothes every day, preferably garments of natural materials (silk, wool, cotton) that allow air to circulate.
Foot Odor - As with body odor, the culprit that causes smelly feet is bacterial growth in a medium of perspiration. Each foot has more than 250,000 sweat glands, so it is imperative to keep the feet dry, clean and well ventilated. If your daily shower does not prevent foot odor, try bathing your feet in warm water with a little baking soda or vinegar. Foot powders and antiperspirants can also help solve the problem. Most shoe inserts advertised to stop odor don't stop feet from perspiring, but they contain an ingredient, activated charcoal, that can absorb odor. Don't wear the same pair of shoes two days in a row. Give them a chance to air out. Likewise wear fresh socks every day, or even change your socks at midday. Wear wool or cotton socks and leather shoes, avoiding synthetic materials that keep air out and moisture in.
Bad Breath - The constant moisture in the mouth provides an ideal growing ground for bacteria and the odor-causing toxins they produce. To avoid bad breath, clean the mouth thoroughly by brushing the teeth and massaging the gums with a soft toothbrush and by brushing the tongue. One dental study showed that brushing the teeth and tongue reduced the mouth odor by 85 percent, while brushing teeth alone reduced it by only 25 percent. It is also important to floss daily to ensure that all food particles are removed. For extreme bad breath, you may have to floss after every meal. A homemade toothpaste of baking soda and water can help neutralize the acids in the mouth that encourage bacterial growth. A mouthwash of hydrogen peroxide and water has the same affect. Most commercial mouthwashes, however, merely cover up mouth odor for a short time. While it's difficult to detect bad breath in yourself, taste can swerve as a clue. When you experience a strong aftertaste from eating garlic, onions, pungent cheese, or other foods, it's likely there's an associated odor. Should you be caught without a toothbrush and floss, chewing fresh parsley or mint after meals provides a natural neutralizing action. As with other persistent body odors, continual bad breath can be the symptom of a health problem. If you've done everything you can and you've still not smelling sweet, consult your dentist or physician.
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