Aroma Therapy

IT8217;S that time of the year when talc ads on telly strike an uncomfortable note. But, what if they8217;re talking about you? What if 40...

IT8217;S that time of the year when talc ads on telly strike an uncomfortable note. But, what if they8217;re talking about you? What if 40-plus temperatures and sweltering humidity cause your deo to evaporate before you8217;re ready with reinforcements? Here8217;s how you can beat the odour.

What causes BO?
It8217;s not a by-product of perspiration or sweat, but the effect of skin bacteria on sweat. 8216;8216;Sweat itself does not smell. But the longer it stays on the skin, the more space bacteria have to break it down into foul smelling chemicals,8217;8217; says Dr RK Joshi, senior consultant dermatologist at the Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, New Delhi.

Why do some areas smell particularly foul?
All spaces where the skin folds8212;armpits, back of knees, genitalia, feet8212;are BO traps because the sweat doesn8217;t evaporate as fast as it does, say, on the arms. 8216;8216;Also, the glands in these areas produce proteins and fats, which encourage bacteria. Moreover, the temperatures there are warmer, and aid bacterial growth,8217;8217; says Dr Joshi.

Is the solution simply to avoid sweating?
Wrong. Sweating, says Dr Joshi, is essential to keep the body cool. 8216;8216;If we don8217;t sweat, the thermo-regulators in our brain get activated. Body temperatures start to rise, and one becomes more susceptible to a heat stroke.

Also, people who don8217;t sweat develop rashes and dry skin; their skin also tends to age faster.8217;8217;

Does one have to live with BO?
Not at all. 8216;8216;It8217;s important to control the bacterial growth,8217;8217; says Dr Joshi. To do that:
8226; Wash or dab off the sweat as soon as you can
8226; Bathe, bathe, bath
8226; Keep body folds hair free
8226; Use a deo or an antiperspirant if you sweat excessively or plan to be out in the sun and talc
8226; Wear natural fabrics
8226; Ensure clothes are washed and dried thoroughly

What8217;s the solution to excessive sweating?
Some people are afflicted with hyperhidrosis excessive sweating because of the presence of bacteria that thrive in hair follicles and trigger a strong odour, says Dr Joshi. Ensure:
8226; Your deo contains an effective astringent base
8226; You use a medicated or sulphur soap
8226; You use an antibacterial cream with fucidic acid
8226; You clean body folds with a betadin solution once a week

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Can Botox help?
Botulinum toxin A is licensed for use in sweat-reduction treatment. But only in cases of axillary hyperhidrosis excessive sweating in the armpit area. It doesn8217;t treat BO per se, but it can help indirectly, says Dr Joshi.

DIET RIGHT
What you eat is important to combat BO
8226; Cut out foods heavy on garlic, onion, cumin
8226; Drink loads of water
8226; Avoid drinking more than two cups of tea or coffee a day
8226; Have lots of fresh fruits and veggies