Actually, body odor is contagious or not, huh?

Body odor can make you feel inferior. Imagine, if you are in a crowded place, automatically this unpleasant smell will smell everywhere. If you have this, you might stink too. But, is it really that body odor is contagious? Instead of being curious, let's find out the answer below.

Is body odor contagious?

The answer is of course not.Body odor is not a contagious disease or condition.

Body odor, known as osmidrosis or bromhidrosis, usually begins when a child reaches puberty.

This happens because the apocrine glands in the armpit, groin, and breast area have started to actively work.

In fact, the sweat produced by the apocrine glands is colorless and odorless. However, when the body conditions sweat more and is dirty, the bacteria that stick to it can break down the oils in the sweat.

As a result, it is the bacteria that causes a pungent odor that is bothersome.

Everyone produces sweat and has bacteria that stick to the skin. That is why, body odor is produced by the body itself.

That means, body odor cannot be transmitted to or obtained from other people.

It can't be contagious, this is what makes you smell bad

Although body odor is not contagious, it can strike you at any time. Especially if you don't keep your body clean and do activities that tend to sweat.

The higher the activity carried out, the more sweat is released. This condition is certainly susceptible to body odor because bacteria are increasingly breaking down sweat.

Especially if you take a shower that is not clean, the bacteria that stick to it will build up even more, making your sweat smell even more bad.

According to the Medline Plus page, excessive sweating is not only caused by body activity. There are several other factors that can increase sweat production, such as:

• Hot weather and spicy food.
• Emotional conditions, such as anxiety, anger, restlessness, worry, and fear.
• Being a symptom of menopause in women.
• Use of certain drugs, caffeine, and alcohol.
• Health problems, such as fever, heart disease, stress, or hypoglycemia.

Apart from the apocrine glands, eccrine glands that are present throughout the body also produce sweat. Although not usually broken down by bacteria, some foods can change the smell of this sweat.

For example, eating red meat, onions, and foods that contain sulfur such as cabbage and broccoli.

Overcome body odor with this

After understanding that body odor is not contagious, what you need to know next is to reduce the odor released by the body.

Body odor can be treated in the following easy ways:

• Using antibacterial soap to kill germs on the skin.
• Take a cleaner bath, especially when cleaning the armpits, breasts and groin.
• Avoid underwear or clothes that are still wet because they can trigger odors musty .
• Wash clothes and pants clean and bring extra clothes when you do activities that sweat a lot.
• Use a deodorant or antiperspirant to prevent underarm odor

If it's not potent enough, don't hesitate to consult a doctor.

Your doctor may recommend that you have an injection of bottleinum toxin (Botox) A to block nerve impulses to the sweat glands or liposuction to reduce certain sweat glands.