I have discovered the best kept secret for eliminating underarm odor. It is organic virgin coconut oil. I cook with it as well because it is very nutritious. I have always needed a strong anti-perspirant, but no more.
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Underarm sweat only smells because of the bacteria that grows there. If you use an antibacterial soap (I use one called Safeguard), you won't need to apply deodorant as well.
Underarm odor (aka Bromhidrosis and Erythrasma) is caused by a bacteria that adheres to your hair follicles and skin and when the (odorless) sweat comes into contact with the bacteria on your armpits, the odor begins! Ewww!
Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
I've tried everything for my underarm odor, to no avail. Does anyone have any suggestions? I've tried baking soda, lime, and lemon juice. This problem is very embarrassing and its starting to make me feel depressed!
By tina
Have you asked your Doctor or the drug store? I got better results w/an all natural one from the health food store. No dyes, perfumes or chemicals.
I read somewhere of a lady who cured her problem with a variety of remedies. She said she washed her underarms in the morning then made a paste from Bicarbonate of Soda (Baking soda) and water and applied to each armpit. This was then rinsed off and patted dry. Then she dabbed the area with Listerine mouth wash (as it's anti-bacterial) and left to air dry. Then applied a good deodorant. I think she used the Listerine before she went to bed too.
I hope you find a cure,
Best wishes,
Monique :)
I'm menopausal and suffer badly from hot flashes and night sweats. So you can imagine the problems I had with underarm odor. Especially during the summer. What worked for me is those crystal rocks that you moisten with water and rub into your underarms. I still get the hot flashes but at least I have no underarm odor!
The biggest culprit for body odor is the foods you eat. What comes out of your body (including the odor of urine) reflects what you put into it. Try reducing the amount of red meat, onions, garlic, exotic spices, and drinks like coffee and alcohol and eat more fish, poultry, whole grains, fresh fruit, fresh vegetables and raw nuts. Try this for two or three weeks and I am certain you will see it makes a huge difference.
Some health issues and some medications can also cause body odor so if you have health issues or take medications ask your doctor if this might be the culprit and what other food changes you might need to make for your personal circumstance.
As a personal testimonial; I no longer need to use any type of deodorant. I have it on hand only for "what if I need it" emotional worries. The same Secret Powder Fresh Scent container has been sitting in my bathroom drawer for over two years. ;-)
I've had the same problem my whole life. People don't get it. Lately I am using Mitchum for ladies in the solid in the rose petal scent. This is workin pretty good.
Dr. A. Weil recommends that you use rubbing alcohol. It will kill the bacteria that causes the odor. I use a spray bottle and spray it on, or splash some in the palm of my hands to rub it under my arms. I keep it up and it works for me.
Make sure you keep your underarms shaved all the time. Hair holds the odor worse than anything.
Hello, I use to have the same problem. I now use hand sanitizer- (purell, germ-x etc.) It's the only product that worked for me. Good Luck!
I've had the same problem since the start of menopause. I use white vinegar to take care of the problem. Just splash it on like a man does aftershave.
I used to have that problem. But as soon as I started taking Zinc supplement within a short time all body odor seemed to stop. I take one zinc tablet every morning and the underarm odor has lessened to being almost gone. I forget to use dedorant most of the time now.
Every one of these are great tips, especially keeping your underarms shaved. Using alcohol seems like it would be very drying and eventally irritating. For me, I decided to try one of the original deodorants on the market - Tussy roll on (goes on wet so give it a minute to dry; we're not used to that anymore).
I shower everyday and use deodorant, but the odor is still there. What should I do to remove the odor? Please help me.
By troy
Every time I put on deodorant I sweat and I have a sweaty smell. I have been having this trouble for a while. Does anybody know of any remedies or something?
Mitchum makes a great antiperspirant that controls wetness and odor. Illness or foods can make you have an odor, as do medications. Think if anything has changed in the last few months.
I need solutions. I have been having really bad underarm odor for a really long time now. I have used a baking soda and lemon juice mix, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, and a whole lot of homemade remedies. The list goes on and on. It has gotten to the point where I'm so depressed about it because I'm in high school and it's embarrassing walking around with stinky armpits.
Anybody that has some tips that can help me please let me know because it will be very much appreciated. Thank you.They sell natural deodorants available that you could use. I currently use a natural deodorant that works for me and also my fiancé. :)
I hope someone can help me. I have a 6 year old daughter who has recently started to have a bad underarm odor. What can I do? I have thought about using a deodorant but I am afraid she is too young?
By maggie4 from Montgomery, IL
Why don't you call her pediatrician's office? We can call and talk to a nurse, and if she needs to, she'll talk to the doctor. They might have a suggestion for you without an office visit. Best of luck!
I use vinegar after bath. It works. Nothing else is needed, good luck.
Some parents who have noticed body odor in their very young children report that switching to organic milk seemed to eliminate the problem. They questioned if the growth hormone rBST (that is given to cows), was responsible for causing the situation. Certainly, there are two schools of thought on that. You can get more information on rBST at en.wikipedia.org/
Bathing daily, wearing clothes that breathe (cotton or wool) and drinking plenty of water might help. You might consider a natural deodorant. Crystal Body Deodorant is modestly priced and available at most drugstores.
I agree that it is always good to check with a doctor if you have a concern about your child. All the best to you and your little one!
Body odour is caused by bacteria - wash well every day with soap and water to get rid of bacteria (we all have bacteria). If you are concerned about using something dangerous on your daughter, you can water down apple cider vinegar 1:5 with water, put it in a spray bottle and apply to discourage the growth of bacteria (I use it as a deodorant because I don't approve of blocking pores with aluminum). For the first 5 minutes you can smell the vinegar, but it goes away quickly after that. Does your daughter eat a lot of chicken? The growth hormone used in chicken brings on maturity early - this may be part of the problem. You can try to buy biodynamic chicken if you can afford it, or perhaps cut down if this is part of your problem. Good luck
I had a real problem & tried many different things, but the only stuff that worked was really strong anti-antiperspirant. I hated using it, cause it's more crap we are putting on our skin & polluting our bodies. Some time after this, I started seeing a new doctor & he started treating me for candida over-growth. This did the trick. Candida is a bacteria & it causes many different skin issues, not to mention internal stuff. When we get the starts of a cold, with sore throat & what not, a lot of the times is candida setting up housekeeping in our sinus' & throat, & antibiotics only make the problem worse. Vinegar can kill it, but it's not long lasting & candida is very adaptable. Unfortunately for us.
Are there any changes in her diet? Is she getting a lot of garlic or curry in her food? If her doctor cannot find anything wrong I would get a natural deodorant at a health food store.
We have used the after shower powder when my daughter experienced early maturity and found that to be helpful so that she did not start using deodorants too soon.
Try using organic/natural deodorant. Tom's worked on my niece who also had the same problem.
I would look on webmd but if her underarms smell like a penny, she is losing copper. Perhaps vitamins, or talking to your doctor will help.
I would call or take her to her pediatrician. Six seems awful young to be having underarm odor.
Does anyone have underarm odor that doesn't seem to go away? No matter how may times you shower/bathe, and no matter how many different deodorants you use?
By Gizzy from St. Louis, MO
The same thing has happened to me. I'd start to smell right out of the shower, right after I put on deodorant with antiperspirant. I take apple cider vinegar tablets to cleanse the body, to detox it. Now I also use the 'clinical' type of deodorant/antiperspirants like degree, secret, etc. I have good luck with degree. But first you have to detox, at least that's what works for me. I have to do it every once in a while. Lots of luck sweetie, hope this works for you.
I've been using Betadine Solution for over 15 years; you can get it at any pharmacy. Splash some on your underarms while in the shower and rinse immediately. Continue to use your deodorant.
Thank you so much for your suggestions/comments. I tried rubbing under my arms with sugar to help get rid of the residue from the deodorant, and followed up with vinegar. I didn't put deodorant on right away and I haven't been this fresh in a while! I am so happy about this breakthrough (I don't know how long it will last) but I'm going to try the apple cider vinegar tablets also. Thanks again!
Body odor is most often caused by diet and can also be caused by certain medications or disease. I've had a couple of friends who had horrible body odor but once they changed their diet all was well again :-) Here are some links with information (the second link is a two page link):
www.health911.com/
www.associatedcontent.com/
www.ehow.com/
www.wrongdiagnosis.com/
Try coconut oil. Go to a health food store or order online. I know it sounds crazy, but it works. It has antibacterial properties. Put a little bit right under your arm pits. (don't worry, it's not overly greasy). It really and truly works.
I don't sweat so much, but the little armpit sweat that comes into contact with my clothes in the armpit area makes them smell so bad. Even when there is no odor in the armpit area, the armpit side of my clothes still smells. I do have armpit odor sometimes and rotten burps too. I'm able to control armpit odor, but the scent coming off my clothes smells pungent. Any help is appreciated. I have been to dermatologists but no help! I tried antiperspirants too.
By John Eric
I'm 16 and I had a baby about a month and a half ago and ever since then my armpits stink really badly. Nothing works. I shower everyday and sometimes more than once and nothing works.
I have tried using everything I possibly could. I need help.I've tried a lot of anti-perspirant, deodorants, alum/deodorant crystal, and natural remedies like lemon and baking soda, but it seems like they all don't help prevent my underarm odor. What should I do? I am so confused. I am using vinegar and it works for me as of now. But are there any other products or ways I should use or try? Thank you.
Our son exercises and then he has a cat urine odor when he's done.
By Jean
Armpit odor is not only embarrassing but may be difficult to get under control. This is a page about remedies for armpit odor.
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I have really bad underarm odor. I am very active, eat healthy, and am in high school. I have had this odor for a long time. Please help.
I have underarm odor. Nothing seems to work for long periods of time. Does anyone have any other suggestions?
My one arm pit seems to smell just about all the time. Even after showering. Do you know what causes this?
