There are around 1 million Apocrine and 3 million Eccrine (merocrine) sweat glands within the human body. Eccrine glands are far more widely spread across the skin and release their sweat directly onto the skin. Sweat secreted from these glands is mostly composed of water and mineral salts (sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron, manganese etc.).
Apocrine sweat glands release their liquid into hair follicles in the armpits (axillae), around the nipples and groin areas. Apocrine sweat contains pheromones – chemicals which communicate information through smell (NOTE: we are not consciously aware of this scent).
How does body odour occur, when sweat is usually odourless - the bacteria which naturally live on the skin, feed and multiply within the moist, warm, dark areas of excessive sweating. It is the bacterial process of breaking down the sweat and feeding upon it, which causes body odour. This is why sweat coming from skin that is exposed to light and air like your hands and head, tend not to smell, whereas areas which are covered with clothing, away from air circulation and light tend to be the worst areas for body odour. It is worth pointing out that some foods such as onions, garlic, curry and hot spices are thought to contain chemicals which can be excreted by the skin, in effect making your sweat itself have an unpleasant odour.
So, keeping bacteria in check is the key to fighting body odour. Showering at least once per day is essential. Washing meticulously those areas prone to bacteria and body odour such as the armpits and feet is essential. Drying yourself thoroughly is often neglected, but it is very important as you don't want the bacteria to start multiplying in the moist areas, where the towel hasn't been. Armpit hairs help to retain moisture and also give the bacteria more places to multiply, so it's worth considering shaving your armpits, even if you're a bloke.
It goes without saying, that clean towels and clean clothes are essentials in fighting body odour. Not only do you need to wash your clothes effectively using a good detergent and / or right temperature, but drying them thoroughly and quickly too - that damp characteristic smell from "clean" washing comes from bacteria that has survived the wash and has had time to multiply in the dark, damp recesses of wet, unaired "washing".
Some people, they are so accustomed to their own body odour that they don't notice. As a user of this site, you are probably a hyperhidrosis sufferer and therefore, unfortunately, the excessive amount of sweat that you produce greatly increase your chances of body odour. But by following these tips, body odour can be beaten. If your body odour is caused because you suffer from hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating), please read Sweat Pads.
To BUY special deodorants which are tried and tested to successfully combat body odour.
BUY foot odour beating silver socks.
