Dermatologist Identifies Perception Error On Body Odour

A consultant
dermatologist at the National Hospital in Abuja, Dr Olanrewaju Falodun, said the general perception that some people were born with body odour was wrong.
Falodun said yesterday that body odour was caused by the process of bacteria breaking down in the sweat, and the sweat causing the odour.
“There are two types of sweat glands in the body. These are the eccrine gland which is found all over the body, and the apocrine gland which is found primarily in the ancillary (armpit) and genital areas. “The two sweat glands are usually connected to hair follicles, and much of the thing we call body odour is as a result of the apocrine gland.
“The glands do not mature or start functioning until a person reaches the age of puberty, and that is why the real issues about odour are more pronounced after puberty,” he said.
Falodun said obesity also triggers body odour in people who are overweight, as the sweat is trapped between the folds of skin.
The dermatologist however said body odour could be prevented, as long as the person diligently maintained cleanliness of the body adding that the use of anti-perspirants and deodorants should also be routine.
“Deodorants work by masking the smell of sweat with fragrance, while anti-perspirants reduce the amount of sweat the body produces,” he said.
The dermatologist noted that it was also essential to wash clothes thoroughly, particularly clothing that comes into contact with sweaty areas such as socks, underwears and shirts.
“Wash the body with soap daily, particularly the armpits, groin and feet, where there are many sweat-producing glands.
“Washing removes sweat and reduces the number of bacteria which act upon them,” Falodun said.