
Picture this: You may be in the office, in an event, or even in a meeting. You catch a whiff of something unpleasant suddenly. You know it’s coming from you now, and your heart sinks. Sound familiar? I can assure you that you are not alone if the question of “how to stop my armpit from smelling?” seems to be a question you can’t answer. This is really a problem that most people hardly have a solution to. The good news? You’re at the solution ground.
So in this article, I am going to show you the best practices to get rid of your smelly armpits. I’ll make sure you get an understanding of why it happens and mostly importantly, some very easy to follow tips that can give you results in a short while. No gimmicks, no fluff—just a working solution to the problem. Ready to end the stink once and for all? Let’s dive in.
Why Do Armpits Smell?
Before we go to the solutions let us first understand the problem. Sweat itself doesn’t smell. Surprised? It’s bacteria that’s breaking down your sweat on your body that is causing the odor. That’s because your armpits are warm, moist, often covered — perfect party zone for bacteria. Additionally, combine this with sweat from your apocrine glands (the ones that make protein rich sweat) and you’ve got the recipe for body odor.
Other factors can make things worse:
Diet: Although garlic, onions, and spicy dishes may all play a small role in making sweat smell stronger, you can still blame pollutants in the air.
Hygiene: If you skip showers or don’t wash properly, those bacteria can breed.
Hormones: If you get it because of stress, puberty or hormonal changes.
Medical Conditions: If in the case that is the sweating is very excessive, then it can be considered as an uncommon metabolic disorder. This leads to persistence of odor.
Now that you have got a basic understanding of what causes it, I’ll let you know how to stop it
How To Stop My Armpit From Smelling: Actionable Tips
You are to use the tips below if you have reoccurring smelly armpits
1. Wash Your Armpits Thoroughly
It seems obvious enough … but many people get through this step in a hurry. Cleansing armpits with warm water, an antibacterial soap. It removes sweat, dirt and bacteria that cause odor. Pay special attention if you workout or if it’s hot weather.
Pro Tip: To remove dead skin cells that can hold bacteria, exfoliate once or twice a week with a gentle exfoliating brush or hand cloth.
2. Dry Your Armpits Completely
Bacteria thrive in moisture. Shower and pat your armpits dry with a clean towel after. If you’re in a rush, use a hairdryer on a cool setting. Less bacteria and less odor equals dry skin.
3. Always put on and antiperspirant or deodorant better still. These products are known to cover body odor. So you should look for products that have powerful ingredients such as aluminum chloride. They work best. You should use them at night because this is the time that your sweat glands are more dormant
4. Wear Breathable Fabrics
It will interest you to know that sweat is mostly trapped by fabrics that are synthetic in nature. So you should try as much as possible to avoid them to make your goal easier to achieve. You should wear breathable fabrics such as cotton that won’t let sweat touch your skin when you are working out
5. Change Clothes Regularly
Trapping the bacteria and odor can happen when you do not change your clothes. If you’re sweating, change shirts daily. Antibacterial detergent thoroughly washes clothes.
How To Stop My Armpit From Smelling: Home Remedies You Can Try
If you prefer natural solutions, these remedies can help:
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Antibacterial properties of ACV are your best best when looking for solutions to your Bacteria causing odor. Start our by diluting apple cider in warm water. Soak a cotton bal in it and apply to your armpits
2. Baking Soda
Baking soda help to absorb moisture and help neutralize odors. Make a paste by mixing it with some water and rub it onto your armpits. Use it for 10 to 15 minutes and then rinse.
3. Lemon Juice
Lemons contain natural acids that can k!ll bacteria and get rid of odor. Scrub a slice of lemon below your arms or put on a couple of diluted lemon juice with a cotton pad. If you’ve just shaved, avoid this, as it will sting.
4. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is widely known as a natural antiseptic and it has many benefits too. You can start by putting a little amount in your palms, mix it with water and then you should use it to massage your armpits. It will surely keep the odor to the barest minimum
When Should I See A Doctor?
Sometimes, smelly armpits are signals that your are currently having a medical condition. I advise that if you have probably gone through all these Actionable Tips and it still hasn’t yielded results, then you should met with a doctor as it might be an infection case
Lifestyle Changes That Do Make A Difference
1. Stay Hydrated
Your sweating is more Iikely to subside if your drink water and always stay hydrated. This is because water flushes toxins out leaving your body cool
2. Eat a Balanced Diet
Don’t eat foods that cause body odor such as garlic, onions, and spicy dishes. Focus on eating more leafy greens, fruits and whole grains.
3. Manage Stress
Stress can trigger sweat. Keeping stress levels in check involves practice relaxation techniques such deep breathing, meditation or yoga.
4. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Too much weight can also make you sweat more and smell worse. Regular exercise and a balanced diet can help.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Will shaving my armpits prevent the smell?
Yes, getting rid of it also cuts down on odor, as by shaving you take away hair that catches sweat and bacteria. It’s harder for bacteria to thrive on smooth skin.
2. What can probiotics do for smelly armpits?
Bacteria in the gut can be brought back into balance, which may lower body odor. You can get probiotics from yogurt or supplements.
3. Does drinking chlorophyll water stops armpit odor?
For example, some people swear by the use of chlorophyll water to reduce body odor. There is little science but it’s generally safe to give it a go.
4. Could I resort to hand sanitizer on my armpits?
Temporarily k!ll!ng bacteria and reducing odor, yes, hand sanitizer can. Unfortunately, it’s not a long-term fix and can irritate your skin.
5. Do certain medications cause body odor?
Some medications like antidepressants or antipsychotics can make you sweat more or alter your body odor. If you suspect this, consult your doctor.
6. Is armpit odor caused by hormonal changes during menopause?
It’s true that hormonal changes can create more sweat and more odor. See your doctor to discuss treatment.
7. How do you get rid of a musty armpit smell on clothes?
You can soak clothes in white vinegar and water before washing. It breaks down the odor causing bacteria in fabric.
Conclusion
And we have come to the end of this article. I can assure you that by following the actionable tips that have been outlined above, questions such as “how to stop my armpit from smelling” will be a thing of the past. You can start dealing with this problem full force and getting it out of your way by figuring out the causes and applying these tips. If you go the natural route, revamp your hygiene routine, start trying natural remedies, or see a doctor, the bottom line is action.
Don’t keep waiting another day feeling self-conscious. Start with one or two changes from this guide, and you will notice a difference. You’ve got this, fresh armpits are achievable.