Body odour is a common problem. You can usually treat it yourself.
How to treat body odour yourself
Do
-
wash your armpits, groin and feet at least twice a day with soap and dry thoroughly
-
shave your armpits regularly
-
use antiperspirants and deodorants
-
change and wash your clothes regularly
-
wear natural fabrics like cotton, wool and silk
-
wear antibacterial socks
Don’t
-
do not eat too much strong smelling or spicy food
-
do not drink too much coffee or alcohol
See AlsoYour Odor: Unique as Fingerprint
A pharmacist can help with body odour
You can ask a pharmacist about:
- stronger antiperspirants
- armpit or sweat shields to protect your clothing
- foot powders for sweaty feet
- soap substitutes that are gentler on your skin
Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:
You have body odour that has not got better after treating it yourself and:
- it's affecting your self-esteem
- you notice a change in how it usually smells
- you suddenly begin to sweat much more than usual
Treatments from a GP
If you have severe body odour and sweating, a GP may suggest:
- stronger, prescription antiperspirants
- injections in your armpits to reduce the amount of sweat
- surgery to remove the sweat glands
Read more about treating excessive sweating.
Causes of body odour
Things that can make body odour worse include:
- exercise
- hot weather
- hormonal changes
- being overweight
- having a condition like diabetes, kidney disease or liver disease
- certain types of medicine, such as antidepressants
Body odour may also be linked to excessive sweating and smelly feet.
Page last reviewed: 06 December 2021
Next review due: 06 December 2024
