Wave that whiff goodbye
Thursday 18 January 2007
Worried that you'll get the cold shoulder because you smell a bit different?
You don't have to suffer in silence, we can tell you how to make sure your personal fragrance is perfectly friendly.
Body odour
It doesn't have to be hot day to make you sweat. Anyone who's run for a bus or been a bit stressed out can start to perspire. Sweat itself doesn't actually have a scent, but when it mixes with the bacteria which live on your skin, they can cause a bit of a whiff.
Purge the pong
Getting paranoid and upset about having body odour is understandable, but won't help solve the problem. The best thing to do to purge the pong is to wash regularly and change your clothes more often. If you sweat, it's probably best to wear clean clothes every day; don't wear yesterday's clothes because they might still smell of stale sweat.
You can also look at your diet. Some foods like garlic or cheese can cause body odour. Wear clothes made from natural fibres like cotton, which help your skin to breathe.
Deodorants and anti-perspirants can help; try a few until you find the one that works for you.
Footloose
Smelly feet can be tackled by washing regularly, wearing cotton socks and alternating the shoes you wear every day. Using a foot powder can also help fight infection and reduce sweating.
If your BO is worrying you and nothing seems to help, your doctor might be able to advise you on special, prescribed treatments.
Lose the breath
If people recoil whenever you speak to them, it might not be because you're boring them, but because you have a problem with your breath. Nobody's got sweet-smelling breath all the time; we've all woken up with death breath in a morning.
Brush off
Bad breath, or halitosis as it is also known, can be reduced by brushing your teeth regularly and properly. Spend at least two minutes brushing for best effects. Flossing can also help and rinsing with an anti-bacterial mouthwash wouldn't hurt.
Off the menu
Certain foods can also give you potent breath. Things like milk, cheese, garlic and spicy foods like pizza or curry can add to your problems. Keep some sugar-free chewing gum with you to help combat the smells and keep your mouth totally kissable.
If your efforts still leave you with a problem, see if your GP can help you out.
If a mate's got a problem
Maybe it's not you who needs the advice, but a mate. Some people are used to their own smell and so aren't aware that they may have body odour. You have to be careful how you drop the hint that they could use a helping hand with hygiene.
Why not try going shopping and pointing out deodorants that you like the smell of or buying them a gift for their birthday? Carry some anti-perspirant with you and use it yourself and then offer it to your friend without making a comment. They won't want to be left out and so might give it a try.
