How to deal with “B.O.”

written by Danielle fife august 29th, 2020

“B.O.” as in body odor!

Story time:

I have the most sensitive skin in the world. One wrong ingredient can break me out at anytime on any part of my body.  This made it difficult for me to find products I could use that didn’t make me itch. And even some of the basics such as coconut oil would break me out.  One issue I had was that I would get boils under my arms. They were annoying, painful, and I couldn’t wear deodorant.  The last time I had a boil, it lasted so long that I thought I would need surgery. But I googled first (thank God for Google) and it suggested a natural remedy of Epsom salt and warm water. Guess what?! It worked. It took about 2-3 days, but it finally began to drain. I vowed after that that I wouldn’t use deodorant EVER again. I had a sneaky suspicion that aluminum and other toxic ingredients were the culprit. I set out trying different remedies. I tried baking soda, but it only kept me fresh and dry for 2 seconds. I tried some natural deodorants, which did nothing at all to prevent odor. I tried the infamous baby powder and that didn’t work either. I went back to an old-fashioned aluminum free product but that irritated my underarms.  I suffered with the worst body odor for about a month before someone gave me an idea.  There was an older lady I looked up to for wisdom. I cried to her telling her what I was dealing with and how I didn’t even want to leave the house because I was so funky.  One day she shared with me that she may have found a solution for me accidentally.  She had recently cut herself on her underarm by shaving.  She said she couldn’t use deodorant either while it healed. She started using 100% Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel. She claimed it kept it fresher longer and better than her deodorant on her opposite underarm. I thought to myself, no way, but I tried it anyway.  And WALLAH!!! It worked; underarm odor was gone. 

I will warn you that in the summer, aloe vera does not keep you from sweating because it is not an anti-perspirant, but the sweat will not have an odor.  I like sweating to get the toxins out of my body.  There is a theory that anti-perspirants are more harmful then helpful.  And the Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera Gel is only around $4.00 at Walmart. This bottle of aloe vera gel will last approximately 2-3 weeks. You apply it to your underarms and allow it to dry but if you must run and don’t mind a semi wet feeling for a few minutes, you can continue to get dressed.  

Ways to cut down body odor & recommended products

There are some other things I had to do to cut down on body odor. I reduced my intake of red meat, onions, garlic, and seafood.  It is okay to have occasionally, but an abundance of these foods can make you stink (all over).  Also, drinking water is very important in eliminating toxins and preventing body odor. I’m sure you have heard that water is a cure all for everything. Another way to reduce body odor is to shave your underarms, legs, and vaginal area. Many germs can reside in those areas leading to odor. I recommend washing the external part of your vaginal area with a gentle cleanser designed for that area. Soaps and body washes can dry you out and/or irritate you.  Look for a wash with as few ingredients as possible.  For some, warm water on a cloth will be enough. 100% Fruit of the Earth Aloe Vera gel can be used on the external area of your vagina as well after washing and shaving to reduce irritation that sometimes occur and to keep you fresh.  Some young women wear panty liners to absorb an abundance of moisture and/or discharge in the vaginal area. Please know that moisture and/or discharge is normal.  I recommend natural panty liners made by Seventh Generation, they do not have bleaches or other ingredients that can lead to more irritation. They can be used for light days of your cycle or daily moisture control. 

As you can see, there are many ways to prevent and control body odor.  I use many of these methods and products myself and it has made a world of difference.  The best part is that all the products mentioned are natural, inexpensive and can be found at Walmart and/or Kroger.