Body Odor and How Sweat Influences It
Body odor, also spelt as body odour, otherwise commonly referred to as B.O. is a term typically representing the unpleasant scent of bodily bacteria. The growth of such bacteria is cultivated through rapid multiplication as a result of interaction with sweat which is however, nearly odorless.
While most body odors are generally considered to be socially unpleasant and/or uninviting, the truth is there are actually a few odors that are either considered benign or serve as attractants. Body odors thought of as most noxious are produced in the intestinal tract, the mouth, on the feet, and under the arms. Body odor has also been associated with the hair, groin or upper medical thigh, skin, genitals, pubic hair, belly button and ears (the back of the ears).
Body odor is a problem many people have. It may result in uncomfortable situations, a reduction in self-esteem or may manifest as a sign of health issues. Thus, determining the causes and eventually, treatments of body odor is important for the people who suffer from it.
Firstly, body odor is most often and commonly linked to sweat produced from the human body, especially at the underarms. Even though perspiration is almost completely odorless, sweat can result in an unpleasant smell when it reacts with bacteria on your skin. Many different activities and other causes can lead to greater perspiration, such as hot weather, vigorous exercise and activities involving a degree of anxiety. Such circumstances are good examples of conditions involving greater levels of perspiration.
It is important to note that even though sweating might be a minor nuisance, it is a method the body employs to cool down; hence perspiration is important. Cases of unusual levels of perspiration such as excessive perspiration (hyperhidrosis) or little or no perspiration (anhidrosis) are causes of concern.
The bacteria on our bodies use sweat to grow. Since the sweat on a large percentage of the human body is not filled with nutrients or foods for bacteria, for the most part bacteria in these areas do not emit many odors. The main area where unpleasant scents are produced by the most common type of sweat glands (eccrine glands) is the feet. For instance when feet are enclosed by socks and/or shoes, interaction between sweat and bacteria can produce many unpleasant odors. Also, if feet are damp, yeasts can grow as well.
Additionally when sweat gets on to clothes, this may result in bacteria growing there as well. This of course means that the clothes would be smelly too.
However, most body odor is produced by bacteria thriving on sweat produced by apocrine glands (sweat glands which produce both oil and ordinary sweat) under the arms and in the groin region. Apocrine glands enlarge and become active during puberty, with stress being capable of causing the glands to constrict, developing additional sweat from the skin (Source). People with excess hair also sweat more owing to their multitude of hair follicles where apocrine glands originate. Since Asians have less apocrine glands, they sweat less.
Sweat is not the only cause of body odor. Future articles will feature other factors influencing this problem.
While most body odors are generally considered to be socially unpleasant and/or uninviting, the truth is there are actually a few odors that are either considered benign or serve as attractants. Body odors thought of as most noxious are produced in the intestinal tract, the mouth, on the feet, and under the arms. Body odor has also been associated with the hair, groin or upper medical thigh, skin, genitals, pubic hair, belly button and ears (the back of the ears).
Body odor is a problem many people have. It may result in uncomfortable situations, a reduction in self-esteem or may manifest as a sign of health issues. Thus, determining the causes and eventually, treatments of body odor is important for the people who suffer from it.
Firstly, body odor is most often and commonly linked to sweat produced from the human body, especially at the underarms. Even though perspiration is almost completely odorless, sweat can result in an unpleasant smell when it reacts with bacteria on your skin. Many different activities and other causes can lead to greater perspiration, such as hot weather, vigorous exercise and activities involving a degree of anxiety. Such circumstances are good examples of conditions involving greater levels of perspiration.
It is important to note that even though sweating might be a minor nuisance, it is a method the body employs to cool down; hence perspiration is important. Cases of unusual levels of perspiration such as excessive perspiration (hyperhidrosis) or little or no perspiration (anhidrosis) are causes of concern.
The bacteria on our bodies use sweat to grow. Since the sweat on a large percentage of the human body is not filled with nutrients or foods for bacteria, for the most part bacteria in these areas do not emit many odors. The main area where unpleasant scents are produced by the most common type of sweat glands (eccrine glands) is the feet. For instance when feet are enclosed by socks and/or shoes, interaction between sweat and bacteria can produce many unpleasant odors. Also, if feet are damp, yeasts can grow as well.
Additionally when sweat gets on to clothes, this may result in bacteria growing there as well. This of course means that the clothes would be smelly too.
However, most body odor is produced by bacteria thriving on sweat produced by apocrine glands (sweat glands which produce both oil and ordinary sweat) under the arms and in the groin region. Apocrine glands enlarge and become active during puberty, with stress being capable of causing the glands to constrict, developing additional sweat from the skin (Source). People with excess hair also sweat more owing to their multitude of hair follicles where apocrine glands originate. Since Asians have less apocrine glands, they sweat less.
Sweat is not the only cause of body odor. Future articles will feature other factors influencing this problem.
