The science of stink

Is excessive sweating in armpits, feet and groin bothering you? Unpleasant sweating in summers is major cause of embarrassment. Sweating is the body’s natural way to regulate its temperature but terrible smell becomes a problem. Excessive sweating, which is known as hyperhidrosis could be caused due to stress, physical exercise, emotional excitement, diet, hygiene standards, heredity hormonal imbalance and high temperature.

Here are some tips to prevent body odour:

Be generous with the use of colognes, even splashing them on. Colognes and eau de Toilette constitute mainly water, or a mixture of alcohol and water, with only 2 to 5 per cent perfume. They are lighter and leave a light lingering fragrance.

Colognes can be added to bath water. Or, add eau de cologne to a mug of water and used as a last rinse. It has a cooling effect too.

Bicarbonate of soda (baking soda) helps to prevent body odour. Make a paste of baking soda and water and apply under the arms. You can also add lemon juice to this paste. Leave on for ten minutes and wash off with water. Or, mix a little baking soda with your talcum powder and apply under the arms, or on the feet.

Potato slices can also be rubbed on areas where odour forms easily.

You can also add one teaspoon alum to your bath water. Crush some mint leaves and add them too.

Rose water can always be added generously to bath water. It is a natural coolant and also fragrant.

Add two drops of Tea Tree Oil to two tablespoons of water or rose water. Apply this under the arms with cotton wool.

To remove odour from the hair, add the juice of a lemon and half a cup of rose water to a mug of water and use as a last rinse.