Armpit odor is common in many people and it can be managed by taking little extra care of the skin. It can affect your self esteem and make you embarrassed in public. Due to the moisture present in the skin, bacteria develop on that area causing bad smell. By keeping the skin dry and clean you can easily avoid bacteria that causes odor in your body.
Bromhidrosis is the medical term for body odor. It is a condition of excess of bad smell on the armpit and foot due to the secretion of apocrine glands. Another gland called eccrine gland is also found on the body which produces a salt like solution when body temperature increases. For mild to moderate odor, use of topical deodorant is enough. In severe cases, it needs prescription medicines or other types of treatment.
Causes :
Two types of bromhidrosis exists namely apocrine bromhidrosis and eccrine bromhidrosis.
Body odor or armpit odor of apocrine origin occurs commonly in dark complexioned people of Africa. It can develop on Asian people who have family history of body odor. Since apocrine glands become mature after puberty, body odor will begin only adolescence. Corynebacterium is the name of the bacteria known to cause armpit odor producing offensive smell of fatty acids. People having skin disease like Erythrasma and interigo are more prone to develop body odor than others.
Armpit odor of eccrine origin occurs in people of any race. It can be due to various factors like amino acid disturbance, sweaty feet syndrome and cat syndrome. Certain foods or medicines may also produce foul smell in armpit.
When the skin gets deteriorated due to the thick layer of keratin pigment, it may cause body odor. It can also be caused due to excess of secretion from eccrine glands.
For women, it may be due to improper hygiene, consumption of alcohol and intake of toxins and other drugs. Body odor is common in obese and diabetic people.
Symptoms :
There may be consistent armpit odor along with sweat. The area becomes moist and dark due to continuous bacterial infection and the color of the skin may change into dark brown or black.
Diagnoses :
The doctor can identify the problem by perceiving the smell and getting the medical history.
Treatment :
It is easy to treat bromhidrosis or body odor by following hygiene practice regularly. Keep the skin moist-free and dry. Take warm bath two times a day. You can use germicidal soap or antibacterial soap regularly to avoid body odor.
You need to remove the hair under the arms to prevent the growth of bacteria on such places. For people who get excess of hair growth, electrolysis can be done for removing hair permanently. Bacteria thrive on dark and hairy places producing more sweat causing foul smell.
Your doctor may prescribe erythromycin for preventing bacterial growth on armpit.
In case of sweaty feet, you can use anti-odor microbial socks in which silver is infused. Always use mild deodorants instead of harsh perfume. If you are affected with skin disease like erythrasma or intertrigo you need to take treatment.
If the armpit odor is due to other factors like intake of medicines or alcohol, then you need to change the drugs and avoid taking alcohol.
In severe smell, botulinum toxin injection is taken or your doctor may give anticholinergic drugs. Surgically the apocrine or eccrine sweat glands are removed.
During Iontophoresis therapy, electric current is sent on the affected area that produces more sweat. This treatment can be given only for patients where body odor is due to excess of sweat.
Images, Pics, Photos and Pictures of Armpit Odor :
Home Remedies :
Simple remedies are available for removing bad smell from your armpit.
• Rub few drops of lemon juice on the area that produces excess of sweat and bad smell
• Apply a paste of baking soda plus water on the armpit for removing foul smell
• Take warm-bath twice a day and remove change clothes once you get back from work
• Drink plenty of water to flush off the toxins from your body
• Reduce the intake of spicy foods like onion and garlic
• Stop taking alcohol
