Human society is an institution of interaction. We, Homo sapiens, encounter people from various walks of life as we take public transport to work, visit malls, meet an old friend for lunch, or participate in different social events.

Despite the heightened use of digital social platforms, research by a team of sociologists revealed that the average person makes contact with about 2 to 10 different people per day. Therefore, you must be mindful of what people perceive when they walk past you or try to start a conversation.

Nowadays, body odour has been associated with relationship fallout, the loss of huge contract deals, and even low self-esteem. Your body scent speaks to people even before you say a word. It gives a clue to how intentional you are about your appearance, personal space, and health. To an employee or, worse, a big-time client, being accompanied by a stale, pungent smell sends a message of irresponsibility, incompetence, and neglect. Trust me, no one wants someone like that to handle the operations or creative needs of their company.

WHAT IS BODY ODOUR?

Often called bromhidrosis in the medical space, body odour occurs when bacteria interact with sweat in the body. Sweat itself is not foul-smelling. It is actually a mixture of water and electrolytes produced by specialized organs on the skin called sweat glands. There are two types of sweat glands in the body: apocrine and eccrine glands.

The eccrine glands are found on most parts of the body, such as the forehead, palms, and soles of the feet. These glands mainly produce watery sweat to cool the body in response to heat from exercise or high environmental temperatures.

Apocrine glands, on the other hand, secrete proteins, fats, and other organic compounds alongside water and electrolytes. Their primary function is not cooling, like the eccrine glands. Instead, they are influenced by hormones and become active at puberty.

Apocrine glands are located in regions with lots of hair follicles, such as the armpits, groin, and around the nipples. They play a major role in sexual attraction and communication. Because the sweat secreted by the apocrine glands contains proteins and fats, skin bacteria are attracted to these areas. The bacteria feed on these organic compounds, break them down, and release the unpleasant smell we call “body odour.”

Since both apocrine glands and skin bacteria are found in humans, everybody has the tendency to smell unpleasant. What makes the difference is self-awareness and hygiene habits.

Apart from the fundamental role of the apocrine gland, consumption of spicy meals, alcohol, or diets rich in red meat, onions, and garlic can play a significant role in your scent. Naturally, some people have stronger body scent than others based on genetic factors.

NATURAL WAYS TO GET RID OF BODY ODOUR

1. Bath regularly.

This is the most basic rule of hygiene. Bathing twice a day can remove about 99% of dirt, dead skin cells, sweat, bacteria, and oils, eliminating foul smells.

2. Wear Properly Washed and Dried Clothes

Poorly washed or damp clothes can make you smell unpleasant. Even if you don’t have body odor, poorly dried or dirty clothes—especially underwear—can produce a bizarre smell of their own, giving people the impression that you have body odor.

3. Modify your diet.

Avoiding overly spicy meals or garlic and onion-rich delicacies can help you smell better. Do well to load your plate with green veggies, and incorporate herbs like cilantro and basil into your recipes. Tumeric, Citrus fruits and even yogurt have been proven to work as natural deodorizers in the body, keeping body odour in check from the inside out.

4. Use Deodorants

Even after bathing regularly and wearing clean clothes, it’s still possible to notice odors around your armpits, groin, or other apocrine gland areas because humans sweat during daily activities. Research has also shown that certain underlying medical conditions and genetics can contribute to body odor, which might not be fixed by bathing alone.

This is where deodorants come in. Deodorants are specially formulated to fight bacteria. They contain active ingredients such as alcohol, triclosan and natural antimicrobials which make the skin slightly acidic and less hospitable to bacteria. If there are no bacteria to break down sweat’s organic compounds, there will be no odor.

5. Use Antiperspirants

It’s a common misconception that antiperspirants and deodorants are the same. As explained above, deodorants fight bacteria, while antiperspirants block sweat glands to prevent or reduce sweating. They don’t kill bacteria. My take: use whichever works best for you—or both. Your body, your choice.

6. Use Perfumes and body sprays.

This isn’t a way to prevent body odour but to elevate your natural scent. People remember the way you smell, and your fragrance is a key part of your overall appearance. On your next shopping trip, consider adding a good-quality fragrance—whether an exotic Arabic perfume or any type that fits your budget—so long as it doesn’t leave you broke for the next 30 days.

CONCLUSION
German-born author Eckhart Tolle once said, “Awareness is the greatest agent for change.” That is the aim of this article—to make you aware so you can take steps to prevent body odour.

As previously stated, body odour can sometimes be a symptom of an underlying disease or influenced by our diet and genetics. So, if after following the above methods you still struggle with body odour, you may need to see a dermatologist.

Did you enjoy this read? Share your thoughts with me in the comments. See you in my next piece!

POV: You just turned your key into the lock of your house at 6 pm after a 10-hour day. Your eyes are swollen, your feet sore, and your stomach rumbles. You unpack then undress taking a long cold shower to alleviate today’s stress, burdens, and baggage. You sit at your small cosy dining table and gulp down ravenously the food you had ordered about 20 minutes ago. After savouring your delicious meal, you pick up your phone to scroll through Instagram. You tell yourself "Let me relax by watching some reels. I will sleep by 10 pm and wake up by 6 am tomorrow". No you didn’t sleep by 10 pm. Every reel was so interesting that you kept on scrolling and scrolling till 2 am the next day. You think you just had the best night of your life right? No, my friend, you have just deprived yourself of a good night’s rest and it’s going to take a toll on your day.

Sleep is a biological process.

Firstly, Sleep is a biological process. It's a natural activity that the body depends on for survival. It allows the body cells to repair, rebuild, and recover. Through evidence-based medical practice, sleep has been shown to perform other specific recuperative functions on the skin, immunity, and brain among many others. Studies have shown that lack of sleep has significant effects on hormone balance, productivity and emotions.

The brain uses bedtime to unload daytime activities.

When you give yourself the required 8-hour bedtime; you give your brain the chance to clear out waste products. These are usually produced during creative thinking, problem-solving, and even daily interactions with people. They are essentially the by-products of brain activity. The brain has a specialized lymphatic system which becomes activated at night to clear off these waste products. However, when you don't sleep appropriately these waste products can build up which can in turn cause neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's among many others. Sleep also helps the brain to organize, sort, and store memories and learned information. Numerous collections of scientific research and studies have shown that conversion of short-term memory to long-term memory occurs during sleep. So, the reason you might be struggling to retrieve or store information might be tied to your poor sleeping patterns.

Hormones need sleep to perform their magic.

Do you remember those chemical messengers we were taught in school? The ones released by endocrine organs which affect our growth, reproductivity, and blood glucose levels. They wait till you close your eyelids at night and rest your head on a soft squishy cotton pillow before they do their magic. These hormones have their own circadian rhythm and some of them are timed to function during bedtime. Have you ever felt suddenly taller overnight? That's because Growth Hormone is released during deep sleep. Apart from bone growth, Growth Hormone also ensures proper bone health, tissue repair, muscle growth, and even fat metabolism! Yes, you read that right. Many other hormones like testosterone (necessary for male reproductive health), prolactin, and insulin which regulate blood sugar are also released and function during sleep. Cortisol; also known as the stress hormone on the other hand, depletes during sleep. The reason why you wake up tired after a night's rest of 4 hours is because Cortisol; which is naturally timed to peak during the day, couldn't return to its normal levels due to your abridged sleep duration. Also if you want to have healthy reproductive health whether as a male or female, get enough nights' rest.

The immune system activates specific molecules during bedtime.

During the day, we are exposed both constantly exposed to all sorts of microorganisms, environmental pollutants, and allergens that can cause viral infections, diseases, and allergic reactions. However, during bedtime, our body releases some specific molecules called cytokines which fight off these microbes, pollutants, and allergens making us safe without medications. Deep sleep also makes the immune system produce T-cells which fight off infections and antibodies which reinforce the body's defense. This is why vaccines and immunizations work better when you are well-rested. So think of sleep as a means to recharge your immune system. Do you notice you sleep more often when you're sick? That's your body deliberating providing leverage to your immune system. Do you also notice that most medications cause drowsiness? That's because their power combined with that of your immune system which is more activated during sleep will ward off diseases faster and easier. Also, High stress hormone levels make you more susceptible to illnesses. You know what lowers stress hormone levels? Getting the recommended 8 hours' rest.

Want a nice skin? Sleep Appropriately.

A luscious skin and sleep are like peanut butter and jelly; they go together. During deep night rest, there's an increase in blood flow to the skin, a boost in collagen production, and cell repair. These activities lead to the reduction in breakouts and even out finelines or wrinkles. Adequate night rest also preserves the skin barrier; maintains skin moisture and natural elasticity. One of the many visible effects of lack of adequate sleep is usually dark circles, puffy eyes, and in the long run saggy skin. You might not be able to afford an expensive skin care routine like your favourite Instagram influencers but getting your 8-hour beauty sleep will definitely increase your skin health and your overall health!

Get as much as you can!

Through this article, you see clearly how sleep affects our general health from memory to hormone balance, from immunity to getting that desired beautiful skin. Sleep has also been proven to affect digestion, circulation, and even muscular recovery. In simple words, Appropriate Sleep is not a luxury, it's a need. Get as much as you can. You can help yourself by cultivating a timetable ahead for your weekly duties that still allows you to prioritize sleep amidst your tight schedule. Like discussed, replacing sleep with scrolling Instagram or TikTok is a no. Nothing beats a good night's sleep. Your body will thank you later. Will you embrace a better sleeping pattern going forward? Let me know in the comments!

After a long day of work on Wednesday, Mr. Adams, a middle-aged construction worker, instructed his oldest son to get him 2 tablets of panadol and 1 pack of Lonart(an antimalarial drug) as he was having excruciating joint pains and headaches. Peter Adams had just been taught the dangers of self-medication in school and how most joint pains and headaches caused by strenuous activities can subside by getting a generous amount of sleep. "Dad, why don't you sleep?" He said. Our health teacher taught us today that the usage of drugs without a doctor's prescription is bad for our health. If you sleep for at least 8 hours, you will feel better tomorrow.

Just like Mr. Adams, a lot of Nigerians have become doctors and nurses without a license. In modern-day society, we have deemed it fit that the usage of common pills such as paracetamol, ibuprofen, amoxicillin, cough syrup, sedatives, antibiotics, steroids, and anti-malaria doesn't require a prescription from a health professional. We have forgotten that self-medication is a form of drug abuse and like drug abuse, it leads to various disorders in the human body.

What is Self-Medication?

According to WHO's research article on "Self-medication practice among patients in a public health care system" issued in Volume 30 Edition of the Eastern Mediterranean Health Journal in November 2024; Self-medication can be defined as the use of drugs to treat self-diagnosed disorders or symptoms, or the intermittent or continued use of a prescribed drug for chronic or recurrent disease or symptoms. As much as renowned health organizations such as the World Health Organization(WHO), the United States Department of Health and Human Services, and the Federal Ministry of Health in Nigeria agree that self-medication is acceptable for the treatment of minor illnesses such as colds, sore throat, diarrhea, headache, and the likes because it lessens the burden on the overworked health care professionals, they are also against the continued use of over-the-counter medicine when a particular symptom continues to persist over a long period. This is why most packets of drugs always state to visit your doctor when symptoms persist after 3 days as major illnesses usually manifest as minor illnesses.

In an article published on the 5th of May 2016, in The Nigerian Punch, a man had self-diagnosed himself with Malaria not knowing he was suffering from an upper respiratory tract infection. He was lucky to have been rushed to a private hospital in Ikeja, Lagos in time where he was diagnosed appropriately. This is why there's fierce regulation of the varieties of drugs available without a doctor's prescription.

Another form of self-medication that the public easily indulges in is the continued use of previously prescribed drugs whenever an ailment with similar symptoms presents. Unfortunately, the populace doesn't know that illnesses usually have overlapping symptoms. For instance, Pneumonia and COVID-19 are respiratory illnesses. Both usually present with fever, cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, and headaches. However, Pneumonia is caused by a bacteria (Streptococcus Pneumonia) while COVID-19 is a viral infection(SARS-CoV-2 virus). This means if a patient had been previously treated for Pneumonia and began to have similar symptoms again after a few months, usage of the drugs he had been given prior will not work if the new ailment happens to be COVID. Antibacterial drugs don't cure antiviral diseases. Therefore, the best bet for anyone who begins to experience severe symptoms whether new or identical to an earlier sickness is to go to a trained medical practitioner not try to self-medicate.

What are the dangers of Self-Medication?

Through the aforementioned scenarios, evidence, and facts, a glimpse into how dangerous self-medication can be is seen. But what exactly are the downsides of self-medication? Follow me.

1. Drug Dependence

At least a few times in our lifetimes, we have encountered people who take up to 4 Panadol tablets (about 2000 milligrams in total). They often claim that 2 tablets don't cause them relief anymore. This is because when you take a particular drug too often, your body begins to develop tolerance to such medicine and over time it becomes less responsive to the medication. Therefore, you need higher doses of that medication to achieve the same relief. The wise thing to do when you have persistent pain symptoms is to consult a healthcare professional who can investigate the underlying conditions that are causing your discomfort rather than self-diagnosing.

2. Progressive damage of vital body organs.

Another side effect commonly observed among self-medicators is that they suffer from damage to delicate organs such as the Kidneys and Liver. One of the key roles of the Human Liver is detoxification. Drugs have both harmful and non-harmful components. When we ingest medications, they go through our gastrointestinal system (Gut) where the absorption of the non-harmful components takes place. This affects desired changes in the body. The liver, on the other hand, takes the harmful components and makes them undergo a series of chemical reactions to convert them to more polar metabolites through a key enzyme system called Cytochrome P450 (CYP450). These polar metabolites later undergo conjugation which makes them water soluble and they are excreted through urine. However, a person who self-diagnoses frequently consumes drugs. The harmful components of these pills can accumulate over time and lead to metabolic overload of the Cytochrome P450 enzyme and release of dangerous free radicals. This causes hepatotoxicity and ultimately can lead to liver failure. It has also been discovered that inappropriate consumption and combination of drugs are leading causes of Chronic Renal Disease, Renal Tubular obstruction, and drug-induced nephrotoxicity.

3. Masking of underlying conditions and Exposure to Further Complications.

Furthermore, Self-medication usually causes masking of severe underlying conditions as one of the attributes of over-the-counter medications is their ability to suppress common symptoms like fatigue, migraines, fever, or constipation that accompany major illnesses. For instance, Enterocolitis (inflammation of the small intestine and colon) usually presents with Diarrhea but diarrhea medications can't treat Enterocolitis. If a patient who has enterocolitis self-diagnoses himself with diarrhea and uses Pepto Bismol or Loperamide. The diarrhea will subside for a few days but the root disease will be left untreated. A few days after, rectal bleeding occurs and there can be further complications of Colon cancer or Peritonitis which requires expensive surgical operations and more costly medical procedures to restore such a person to physiological stability.

3. Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR).

According to WHO, AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites no longer respond to antimicrobial medicines. In modern-day medical practice, it has been observed that a large percentage of patients in hospitals have become resistant to a wide spectrum of antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals due to inappropriate dosage and unnecessary consumption of antimicrobial medication. This is because, after longtime usage of antimicrobials, microorganisms become smart. They evolve, and develop resistance to that particular antimicrobial. Therefore a stronger antimicrobial will be needed to eradicate the same microorganism. The cycle continues and a patient might end up becoming resistant to all grades of antimicrobial medications available.

According to the Institute of Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME), a research published by the Universities of Washington and Oxford revealed that about 4.95 million people in Nigeria who died in 2019 suffered from drug-resistant infections and AMR directly caused 1.27 million of those deaths. Also, according to a study by Gavi.org; it was discovered that babies are now being born with antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and by 2050 there will be more deaths due to AMR than cancer. One of the leading causes of AMR is that the populace believes that the usage of antibiotics or antivirals doesn't necessarily require a doctor's prescription. The rate at which people pop ibuprofen tablets into their mouths anytime they are down with slight pain is astounding. The unfortunate outcome of antimicrobial medication abuse is that it not only predisposes you to AMR but also your offspring.

Conclusion

Although Self-medication might come off as convenient and cheaper compared to long hospital queues and health care charges, we must also remember that nothing beats the accuracy of a medical professional. The reason why these easily abused drugs were made available to the masses was just to serve as a first-aid treatment before the intervention of a trained practitioner. As long as you don't have a license or the appropriate equipment to diagnose exactly what is wrong with your body, then do well to visit the hospital whenever symptoms start becoming persistent or show severity. Self-medication doesn't save money. Be cognizant and get proper professional care at all times!