SMELLY ARMPITS

Excessive sweating on armpits has been a great problem to deal with, especially in summers.  Though underarm sweating is a normal process, but at times it becomes havoc to deal with. Unlike sweating on rest of the body areas, sweating in underarms generally begin around puberty. It is excessive in the initial months of onset but gradually reduces to normal with time and is more manageable. 
But for certain people, the sweating levels do not reduce with time and remains excessive,  which can be a little frustrating and annoying and can lead to embarrassing situations at times when they have to deal with stain marks on their clothes and body odour associated with the sweat. Sweat glands on the rest of the body areas differ in many ways than sweat glands present on the underarms areas.
The sweat produced by sweat glands in the underarms attracts bacteria which break down the compounds resulting in body odour. The apocrine glands are found in the hairy areas like armpits and groin, which secrete a  fatty type of sweat into the glands’ tubules directly. These tubules push the sweat to the surface of the skin when they are often triggered by stress, where the bacteria present breaks down the sweat and produces the odour. 
What are the triggering factors for smelly armpits?

1. Personal Hygiene :- This is one of the most important factors associated with sweating because poor personal hygiene can lead to bacterial overgrowth, and hence, it promotes smelly sweat.
2. Stress :- Stress is a triggering factor for apocrine gland, which in turn produces a white coloured fluid. This odourless fluid mixes with skin bacteria and leaves a strong odour.
3. Clothing Material :- Fabrics like rayon, polyester, and nylon have the tendency to trap moisture on skin surface, thus creating environment amiable for sweat loving bacteria. Therefore preferably avoid wearing synthetic fabrics.
4. Medical Conditions :- A few medical issues can cause changes in body odour. Conditions like diabetes, liver dysfunction, hyperthyroidism, kidney dysfunction, and genetic disorders. One must always consult with the dermatologist for the best treatment option available in case if they are suffering from any of the medical conditions.
5. Diet :- What you eat also plays an important role in determining the odour of the sweat. Food items like garlic and onion if added in excess in diet can lead cause the sweat to stink more as compared to other food items. Spicy food items and hot drinks can increase the sweating. Alcohol can also lead to increased sweating. 

Solution To Sweating: 

1. Lifestyle Changes :- The changes in daily routine can make a lot of difference to this condition. Following changes in daily routine can improve the condition to benefit the patient:

• Improve Personal Hygiene :- It is always beneficial to take good care of your personal hygiene. But this is a condition where you have to look hard towards your own hygiene. It helps in reduction of bacteria, thus reducing the sweat and odour.
• Wash Clothes Regularly :- Never re-wear clothes without washing, especially in summers. Sweat on clothes can make environment amiable for sweat causing bacteria to grow on them easily. Whenever you work out make sure that your clothes are regularly washed.
• Shave Or Trim The Excess Hair Growth :- Underarm hairs have the tendency to trap moisture and create a favourable environment for the sweat causing bacteria to breed. Shaving and trimming of hairs regularly can keep both sweat and stink in control. One can also opt for laser hair removal to get rid of frequent shaving and trimming.
• Shower Regularly And Frequently :- Shower regularly, at least once in a day and do scrub the sweaty areas like armpits preferably with anti-bacterial and scent free soaps. Avoid strongly scented soap, and body wash as it can worsen odour in the armpits. If you are involved in regular workout and exercise, then shower after every sweaty session, so that sweat causing bacteria do not spread.
• Choosing The Right Fabric :- Opt for cotton and natural fibres over synthetic fabrics which allow the skin to breathe properly and also keep odour away. These natural fabrics reduce the amount of sweat produced by overheating.  While exercising, you can go for high tech materials that are available these days, which can wick sweat and moisture content away from the skin and body. 
• Diet :- Say no to food items like garlic, spices, and onion that play an important role in production of excess of sweat. Reduce alcohol intake and opt for food items  hat are high in magnesium. 

2) Home Remedies :- The natural remedies can play wonders and help in combating the excess sweat and odour. Few of the remedies that can be easily done at home are:

• Witch Hazel :- It can be applied on armpits using cotton ball after the shower. It is a natural astringent. It helps in contracting skin tissue and thus reduces the production of sweat. The commercial witch hazel extract, contain some amount of rubbing alcohol in it which helps in fighting the sweat causing bacteria. So it is easy to apply a home remedy that can be followed to fight sweat and odour. 
• Apple Cider Vinegar :- Dab it on the underarms area twice a day. It contains anti-microbial properties and is acidic in nature and hence destroys bacteria by neutralising the environment and making it not favourable for them to breed there and to produce odour. Using it regularly helps to prevent the accumulation of bacteria in the armpits area. Easy to apply, dab a cotton ball dipped in apple cider vinegar on the underarms area twice a day. 

Note :- Be careful when applying strong acidic home remedies like lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and witch hazel, especially if the skin is sensitive. Apply to clean and dry skin only to avoid any burning or irritation. Do not use them immediately after shaving or on broken skin.

3) Antiperspirants :- Nowadays,  a large number of OTC antiperspirants are available that helps to manage this condition. They contain active ingredients which block sweat glands from producing an excess of sweat like aluminium chlorohydrate. Lesser the sweat lesser will be the available raw material for bacteria to produce odour. Prefer antiperspirant which reduces sweat over a deodorant which masks the odour, and hence can worsen up the problem. 
If these measures don’t help, then one should consult a dermatologist.
Keep Healthy Keep Glowing!