Excessive Sweat/Odour

[Sammylove]

I need some advice. I was at the gym tonight and whilst there was nobody else in there the manager approached me and told me she had noticed a certain body odour on me. I haven't been going there long and she said she had noticed it a few times and not just after I had been working out. She was really nice about it but it's upset me quite alot to think people think I stink and nobody has said anything before. I'm not unhygenic (sp). I shower every morning and wear clean clothes every day. What products can I use to prevent excessive sweating and hide any odour and what are the best kind of fabrics to wear whilst I'm working out that might help? Please spare any unkind comments because I'm really quite upset by this.

[boxtops]

Awkward for you, but a good lady to point it out to you. Make sure you wash thoroughly and you pay attention to a deodorant/antiperspirant. Natural fibres would be best - synthetics just trap the sweat.

[Amber-Rose]

Look up my post headed "Sweaty Armpits" I had a lot of helpful advice which worked - easily 90% improvement. x

[gingejbee]

Cotton only for working-out. I can recommend a special soap called Silvatec - since using this on underarms, I have not had to use deodorant at all - it really is that good.

[Eve]

Bacteria causes the smell so using antibacterial body washes such as Sanex or Carex could help.

I find some perfumed body sprays, even antiperspirants/deodorants can cause a funny smell when mixed with sweat, I tend to stick to unperfumed ones. The Mitchum range is good.

Are you diabetic or have any other health conditions?

[tiggerblue10]

There are quite a few products for excessive body odour/sweating in Boots. Driclor, Mitcham and Triple Dry are probably the strongest.

[Kitty1979]

Awwww :(
I was going to suggest dricolor aswell as a few years back I had horrible sweaty patches and was way more noticable if I was wearing a pale coloured top. Could try that but I think certain materials make it worse, I'm using dove spray on deodorant just now (usually buy tescos own stuff) and I have really noticed a big difference with that, you can really smell the fragrance all day long (the green one is lovely) They are on special offer in tescos just now aswell :)

I wouldn't stress too much about it though, defo dont try dricolor straight after shaving your armpits (very sore!!)
Xx

[KARL]

I would caution you against applying anything that prevents you from sweating because this is the body's way to regulate its temperature - stop sweating and you risk suffering harmful effects (some which may not be identified as such - ever - just put down to "deterioration" later in life). You may want to read the thread on question 931657.

The substance I alluded to is common vinegar. Its usefullness is remarkable and it is dirt cheap. You apply small amounts of this to your skin after showering/bathing (underarms, between toes, any other area that produces odour but not immediately around female genitalia). Although an immediate improvement is almost guaranteed, do this without fail for several weeks running because then you will have killed off microbes to the extent that application need only be done very occasionally, if ever again (assuming a good hygiene regime).

You can even rescue clothing that has been invaded by microbes by applying vinegar more liberally to those areas that are most likely to become damp, then wash them after a day or two. A 90 degree or above wash will probably do the same job without the vinegar. Note that Ariel washing powder is (in my experience) inclined to itself produce odour in certain circumstances. The advice already given is correct, avoid synthetic fabrics.

I have myself used the vinegar method and it was spectacularly effective - on advice, I was aiming to cure very persistent athelete's foot which conventional medication failed to eradicate. It worked and as a bonus I found out about the odour side of things too and have passed it on to others who were stunned by it. Many people will prefer to pay for branded goods that are nowhere as effective - all because they worry about vinegar odour (quite an unnecessary worry, it fades within a very short time) but it is up to you what you do.

[KARL]

*usefulness

[KARL]

Oh, one more thing: It is very important to ensure towels do not become "sour" - such towels are very common transmitters of microbes and attendant odour. If they are the culprit, put them regularly through a hot wash and dry them outdoors if you can or else in a dryer..

[thugulike]

You may need to be careful what you eat too. Curry can make sweat very unpleasant.