Men are more likely to have body odor than women due to active sweat glands, skin bacteria and living habits, making perfume sometimes not enough to cover it.
There are days when a man steps out of the house very neatly with a flat shirt, neat hair, and enough perfume. However, after a day of working, moving, eating foods containing onion and garlic, drinking coffee and sitting for a long time in closed shoes, their body odor can clearly change.
According to Dr.BS.CK2 Tra Anh Duy, Men’s Health Center, body odor is a normal phenomenon, but the degree of clarity depends on the combination of physiology, skin bacteria and living habits. In particular, hygiene and living environment play a much more important role than perfume.
Sweat itself does not always cause odor. The body has two main types of sweat glands, of which the eccrine glands secrete a thin fluid that helps regulate body temperature, and usually has little odor if the skin is clean. In contrast, apocrine glands are concentrated in the armpits, groin and genital areas. When exposed to bacteria, they will decompose, forming compounds that cause characteristic odors.
“Body odor is actually the result of the interaction between sweat, bacteria, dirty clothes and living habits, not just sweat,” the doctor analyzed.
Some studies, including the study by James and colleagues published above International Journal of Cosmetic Sciencenoted that the armpit bacteria play an important role in creating odor. This explains why some people sweat a lot but have little odor, while others only have a slightly damp shirt that smells clearly.
In men, body odor is more noticeable due to active sweat glands, higher hair density, habit of exercising a lot, wearing tight clothes, wearing shoes for a long time and factors such as stress, alcohol, tobacco and a spicy diet. Testosterone also affects the sebaceous glands, but that doesn’t mean “being masculine means smelling”.
About perfume and deodorantDr. Duy believes that perfume only creates an outer layer of scent, does not treat the root cause. If the body or clothes are not clean, the odor may become more unpleasant. Deodorants and antiperspirants can help, but need to be used correctly to avoid irritation.
Diets such as onions, garlic, curry, strong spices, alcohol and tobacco can also make body odor more pronounced in some people. However, there is no need to abstain completely, the important thing is to make appropriate adjustments and monitor your body’s reactions. If after certain foods, body odor becomes more obvious, reduce the frequency, drink enough water, increase vegetables and fruits, and pay attention to hygiene after exercise.
According to Dr. Duy, the most important principle is still clean, dry and airy. Showering after sweating, drying the armpits – groin – feet, changing underwear and socks every day, choosing breathable clothing and washing and drying thoroughly can significantly improve body odor.
Doctor Duy advises patients. Image: Lam Anh
At Men’s Health, the doctor once received a 34-year-old male patient for examination because of persistent odor in the groin area along with itching and dampness. Patients often use perfume to cover the smell but there is no improvement. Exploitation revealed the habit of wearing tight clothes, sitting for long periods of time, wearing closed shoes and wearing clothes again after exercise. Examination revealed a moist groin area, interstitial rash, and mild fungal infection suspected.
According to experts, many cases of body odor are actually a manifestation of dermatological diseases or inappropriate living habits. “If the odor persists with itching, redness, moisture or skin damage, men should see a doctor to determine the cause and treat it instead of just treating the surface and covering it up with perfume,” the doctor recommended.