Sweating is a crucial bodily function that aids in regulating body temperature, thanks to the presence of 2–4 million sweat glands distributed across the body. The armpits house both eccrine and apocrine sweat glands. While eccrine glands secrete a clear, odourless liquid, apocrine glands produce a thicker fluid that develops an odour when combined with skin bacteria.
Factors such as exercise, heat, stress, or puberty can stimulate these glands, resulting in increased sweating and potential odour. Hyperhidrosis, a medical condition impacting about 3 percent of the population, can lead to excessive sweating, even without specific triggers, says dermatologist Piyush Kumawat of Skin Guide. Additionally, dietary choices, particularly foods like garlic, can influence sweat scent. Hormonal changes, medications, and infections like brucellosis or HIV can also contribute to sudden changes in armpit odour.
Home Remedies for smelly armpits, suggested by Doctor Kumawat.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV) Solution
How to apply: Create a solution by mixing equal parts of apple cider vinegar and water.
Application: Before bedtime, use a cotton ball or cloth to apply the solution to your clean and dry armpits.
Benefits: Apple cider vinegar has natural antibacterial properties that can help kill odour-causing bacteria. It also helps balance the pH of the skin, reducing odour.
Rinsing off: In the morning, rinse your armpits with lukewarm water to remove any residue.
Potato slices
How to apply: Peel a potato and cut it into thin slices.
Application: Rub the slices onto your clean and dry armpits, ensuring the juice covers the area.
Benefits: Potatoes have natural enzymes that can help neutralise odours. They also have a cooling effect on the skin.
Duration: Leave the potato slices on your armpits for about 30 minutes.
Rinsing off: After 30 minutes, wash your armpits with lukewarm water to remove any residue.
Coconut oil
How to apply: Use organic, cold-pressed coconut oil.
Application: Massage the coconut oil onto your clean and dry armpits, ensuring complete coverage.
Benefits: Coconut oil has antimicrobial properties that can help kill bacteria and fungi, reducing odor. It also moisturizes the skin.
Duration: Leave the coconut oil on your armpits for about 30 minutes.
Rinsing off: After 30 minutes, rinse your armpits with lukewarm water to remove the oil.
Aloe Vera Gel
How to apply: Use fresh aloe vera gel or a pure, organic gel.
Application: Apply the gel to your clean and dry armpits, spreading it evenly.
Benefits: Aloe vera has soothing and antibacterial properties. It can help reduce inflammation and kill bacteria that cause odour.
Duration: Leave the aloe vera gel on your armpits for about 30 minutes.
Rinsing off: After 30 minutes, rinse your armpits with lukewarm water to remove the gel.
Baking soda and lemon juice paste
How to prepare: Mix equal parts of baking soda and lemon juice to create a paste.
Application: Apply the paste to your clean and dry armpits, gently massaging it in.
Benefits: Baking soda is known for its ability to absorb odours, while lemon juice has antibacterial properties.
Duration: Leave the paste on your armpits for about 10 minutes.
Rinsing off: After 10 minutes, rinse your armpits with lukewarm water to remove the paste.
Tea Tree Oil
How to apply: Dilute tea tree oil with water (1 part tea tree oil to 2 parts water).
Application: Apply the diluted tea tree oil to your clean and dry armpits, ensuring even coverage.
Benefits: Tea tree oil is a natural antibacterial and antifungal agent, making it effective against odour-causing bacteria.
Duration: Leave the tea tree oil on your armpits for about 15 minutes.
Rinsing off: After 15 minutes, wash your armpits with lukewarm water to remove the oil.
Epsom Salt Soak
How to use: Add 1 cup of Epsom salt to a warm bath.
Soaking: Soak in the bathwater with added Epsom salt for about 15 minutes.
Benefits: Epsom salt can help detoxify the skin, reduce inflammation, and kill bacteria that cause odour.
Duration: Soak for 15 minutes to allow the Epsom salt to work on your skin.
Rinsing off: After soaking, rinse your armpits with clean water.
Lemon juice and water mixture
How to prepare: Squeeze fresh lemon juice and mix it with water (1 part lemon juice to 4 parts water).
Application: Apply the mixture directly to your clean and dry armpits using a cotton ball.
Benefits: Lemon juice has natural antibacterial properties and can help balance the pH of the skin.
Duration: Leave the lemon juice mixture on your armpits for about 10 minutes.
Rinsing off: After 10 minutes, rinse your armpits with lukewarm water.
Diluted lavender oil spray
How to prepare: Dilute lavender oil with water (4 drops of oil to ½ cup of water).
Application: Spray the diluted lavender oil onto your clean and dry armpits.
Benefits: Lavender oil has a pleasant scent and antibacterial properties, helping to combat odour.
Duration: Leave the lavender oil on your armpits overnight.
Rinsing off: In the morning, rinse your armpits with lukewarm water to remove any residue.
Tomato juice and lemon juice blend
How to prepare: Blend a fresh tomato and extract its juice. Mix 2 drops of lemon juice into the tomato juice.
Application: Apply the mixture to your clean and dry armpits, ensuring even coverage.
Benefits: Tomatoes contain acids that can help neutralize odours, while lemon juice has antibacterial properties.
Duration: Leave the mixture on your armpits for about 10 minutes.
Rinsing off: After 10 minutes, rinse your armpits with lukewarm water.
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