HEALTH CONDITION
Body odour (BO)
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
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
See a GP if you have body odour and it 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 your GP
If you have severe body odour and sweating, your 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: Mon Jan 2022 Next review due: Mon Jan 2022
