What Causes Underarm Odor?
Underarm odor, like body odor, is mainly linked to the apocrine glands. These glands are often found in the genital area, nipples, armpits, breasts, and ears. While they are responsible for the secretion of milk in the breasts and earwax in the ears, they help in the secretion of sweat in your genital area, nipples, and underarms. It is the sweat produced by these glands that produces odor. This odor, which may sometimes be foul-smelling, is a result of bacteria breaking down the protein-rich sweat. Excessive sweating is a medical condition called hyperhidrosis and requires medical attention. Underarm odor is also noticed in children, who usually don’t develop foul-smelling body odor. But when they do, it might be due to certain factors or an underlying medical condition. The factors that lead to the development of body odor in children are:
Precocious puberty Fish Odor Syndrome Synthetic clothing More sweat glands Diet that consists of smelly foods like onions Medical conditions like diabetes, phenylketonuria, and hyperhidrosis.
Whatever the cause of your smelly underarms may be, you can manage the problem by following the simple home remedies discussed below.
14 Home Remedies For Underarm Odor
1. Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has antimicrobial properties (1). This can neutralize the environment in the underarm area and helps in the destruction of the odor-causing bacteria. Regular use of apple cider vinegar can also help in preventing the accumulation of bacteria.
A small bowl of apple cider vinegar Cotton balls
Do this twice daily – every morning after a bath, and every night before going to bed.
2. Iodine
Iodine has bactericidal and antiseptic properties (2). It can help in sterilizing your armpits and restoring their pH. This remedy can help in getting rid of foul-smelling underarms over time.
A few drops of iodine A soft brush
Do this once daily.
3. Essential Oils
a. Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender oil is used to treat various skin and health issues. Its pleasant fragrance helps mask the odor, and its antibacterial properties kill the bacteria present in the underarms (3), (4).
4-5 drops of lavender essential oil 1 glass of water
Do this twice daily.
b. Tea Tree Oil
Tea tree oil is one of the best remedies to combat underarm odor. It has astringent and antimicrobial properties (5), (6). It can help minimize the pores in your underarms and fight the odor-causing bacteria in the area. Caution: Tea tree oil is extremely potent and can cause skin redness and irritation. Do a patch test before using this remedy.
2 drops of tea tree oil 2 tablespoons of water Cotton pads
Do this twice daily for effective results.
4. Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is another great remedy that works as a natural antiperspirant. It has astringent and antibacterial properties (7). It can help lower the pH of your skin, thereby killing the odor-causing bacteria and combating underarm odor.
A few drops of witch hazel Cotton balls
Do this every morning and evening.
5. Baking Soda
Baking soda can help in keeping your underarms dry and sweat-free. Its antibacterial properties can help fight the bacteria that cause the foul smell (8), (9).
1 tablespoon of baking soda 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
Note: This method has a high rate of irritation in some patients . Do this once daily for a few weeks.
6. Lemon Juice
Lemons are highly acidic and possess bactericidal properties (10), (11). This can help reduce the pH of your skin and also makes it uninhabitable for the odor-causing bacteria. 1/2 lemon Note: This might not suit everyone and may cause irritation. Do this once daily.
7. Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is widely used for its antiseptic properties (12). It can kill the bacteria that are causing your underarms to stink.
1 teaspoon of 3% hydrogen peroxide 1 cup of water Cotton pads
You can do this whenever you sweat profusely.
8. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil contains medium-chain fatty acids, which are powerful antimicrobial agents (13), (14). It can keep the odor-causing bacteria at bay and restore the pH of your skin. Coconut oil (as required) Note: Do not opt for this method if you have a prior fungal infection.
How Often You Should Do This
Do this 1 to 2 times daily, preferably just after taking a bath.
9. Garlic
As surprising as it may sound, garlic consumption may reduce body odor (15). This could probably be due to its excellent antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Garlic (as required) Do this daily.
10. Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is a rich source of antioxidants and has antibacterial properties (16). This makes it one of the best remedies for eliminating underarm odor. While aloe vera juice can help detox your body and reduce the foul-smelling odor, its topical application can eliminate the bacteria responsible for causing smelly underarms (17). Aloe vera gel (as required)
Take a little aloe vera gel on your fingers and apply it directly to your underarms. Leave it on overnight and wash it off the next morning. You can also drink about one-fourth cup of aloe vera juice daily.
Do this once daily.
11. Boric Acid
Boric acid is acidic and bacteriostatic (18), (19). It can reduce the pH of your skin, thus making the survival of bacteria difficult. This can prove to be quite helpful in getting rid of foul-smelling underarms. Boric acid (as required) Take a little boric acid and dust it on your underarms daily. You can do this 1 to 2 times a day, preferably after a shower.
12. Castor Oil
Castor oil is derived from the castor plant and is used for its wide range of benefits. One of its surprising benefits is its ability to reduce foul-smelling odor. The credit for this could be given to the antibacterial properties it possesses (20). This can keep the odor-causing bacteria at bay. Castor oil Note: Do not opt for this method if there is a fungal infection. Do this daily.
13. Epsom Salt
Epsom salt usually promotes perspiration to help your body release any toxins that could be responsible for causing foul body odor (21). It also helps eliminate odor (22).
1 cup of Epsom salt Bathwater
You can do this every alternate day.
14. Potato
Potatoes can help control perspiration and also kill the bacteria present in your underarms by lowering the pH of your skin. This is because potatoes are slightly acidic and possess antimicrobial properties (23), (24). 1 potato You can do this 1 to 2 times daily.
How To Stop Smelling Bad
Shower at least once daily. Use a good antibacterial soap. Use freshly laundered towels after each bath. Use a good deodorant or antiperspirant. Opt for natural clothing made of wool or cotton. Wear loose-fitted and moisture-wicking clothes. Keep your underarm hair trimmed. This can significantly reduce armpit smell (25). Stay away from smelly foods like curries and onions. Consume more fruits, vegetables, chicken, and fish. Drink lots of water.
When To See A Doctor
Dr. Vladyslava Doktor, a board-certified dermatologist, says, “When one experiences other systemic symptoms besides increased sweating or when the sweat has suddenly increased, consider it time to consult your doctor.” Despite using multiple treatments, remedies, and tips, if the underarm odor persists, seek medical help. Consult a dermatologist to know the underlying cause of the condition. Does underarm odor get worse as you age? Check out the infographic below to know the top five natural ways to get rid of smelly armpits effectively. Dr. Vladyslava Doktor says, “Actually, no, as we sweat less as we age. This is because the sweat glands decrease in size, and our hormone levels fluctuate, typically towards the lower end of the spectrum.” What does it mean when your body odor changes? If your odor smells different, it could hint at an underlying medical condition. A sweet-smelling odor could be a sign of diabetes due to high levels of ketones in your blood, while a bleach-like smell could be an indication of liver or kidney disease. Which soap works best for underarm odor? You can use any skin-friendly antibacterial or deodorant soap to get rid of underarm odor. The deodorant products that have citrus extracts can help reduce the armpit smell effectively. What diseases can cause bad body odor? Medical conditions that are known to cause bad body odor are: • Diabetes • Thyroid problems • Kidney or liver dysfunction • Genetic disorders like trimethylaminuria (26) Does dry skin affect your odor? Dry skin rarely causes body odor. In fact, when your skin is dry, it becomes harder for the bacteria that are living on your skin to break down your sweat into acids. Is armpit odor sexually attractive? Yes, certain body odors are indeed connected to sexual attraction. Humans subconsciously choose a potential mate based on body odor. How do I permanently get rid of underarm odor? There is no one-time solution for body odor. You need to regularly maintain your hygiene and follow your favorite natural remedies to ensure body odor is minimized. What bacteria causes armpits to smell? The bacterium Staphylococcus hominis is responsible for armpit odor. It contains an enzyme called C-T lyase, which converts odorless chemicals in the sweat to pungent compounds called thioalcohols (27),(28). Can I leave lemon juice on my underarm overnight? While you may, avoid doing so as the acidic nature of lemon may irritate your skin. It may also cause dark patches on your underarms if you expose them to sunlight the following morning.
