Some people cannot detect their own unpleasant smell, writes JOYCE GATHU

Have you been in a matatu or a bus and the person seated next to you had such an awful stench, it made you want to throw up?

The next thing you did was to alight at the next stage not caring whether you wasted your money.

A bad body odour can be unpleasant and extremely embarrassing to the sufferers, especially when people have to pinch their nose to cushion themselves against bad smell.

Some people have been turned down for jobs they were qualified for due to unpleasant body odour, while others have destroyed relationships when their partner became intolerant to their bad scent.

Body odour can emanate anywhere from the top of the head to the soles of one’s feet.

Unfortunately, many people find it difficult to notify the offending person about their pungent smell, in fear of hurting their feelings or angering them.

However, what baffles many is how a stinking person can put up with their stench.

Science of smell

Scientific studies show that some people cannot detect their own unpleasant body odour, although such are a minority.

Ironically, such people can detect strong smells like that of garlic not their bad odour.

A foul body odour can emanate from the mouth, armpits, feet or a combination of all these.

Thus people need to realise that being conscious of how we maintain cleanliness is not feminine vanity.

John Mutahi, a teacher, knows this all too well. His work entails being in constant close contact with his students.

“I take a lot of fluids, which help cleanse my body. I also shower twice a day. I wear a clean pair of socks daily and use deodorant, especially when it’s hot,” explains Mutahi.

Conditions that trigger bad body odour

Jean Muigai, an Image Consultant points out that everybody sweats. It is through sweating that our bodies are able to cool down.

However, what may come as a surprise to many and is contrary to popular belief is that sweat does not smell.

“But since we have bacteria living on our skin, it works on this sweat, releasing chemicals that smell bad, consequently, causing an unpleasant odour,” she says.

Muigai notes that some people produce the bad odour because of disregarding their personal hygiene.

But there are those who suffer from health problems that may compromise their personal hygiene.

“People with underlying health problems such as thyroid disease, tend to sweat more,” she expounds.

In addition, people ailing from respiratory tract infections may have a bad breath.

“Sufferers of pneumonia, bronchitis, diabetes, liver and kidney problems are more prone to suffer from bad breath,” says Dr Jane Kigo, a dentist.

But besides people with medical conditions, there are those who have more sweat and oil-producing glands, hence they tend to sweat more.

Studies show that men sweat more than women.

Regardless of the circumstances, there are numerous ways to deal or improve a bad body scent.

“Wearing deodorant and perfume when one is not clean will not mask the bad smell, but worsen it. Same goes to those who chew gum instead of brushing their teeth,” warns Muigai.

Therefore, showering, preferably twice, in the morning and evening improves body odour.

Pleasant fragrance

Besides taking a shower, people should make it a habit to shave regularly.

Mugai explains that armpit hair provides breeding ground for bacteria, which may lead to an unpleasant odour.

She advises people to make use of anti-perspirants and deodorants. “Deodorants on a clean body produce a pleasant fragrance. On the other hand, anti-perspirants reduce the amount of sweat produced by your body,” she says.

For men and people who tend to sweat profusely, roll-ons are effective in fending off bad odour.

Dr Kigo recommends that people brush and floss their teeth daily in order to guarantee a fresh breath.

Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables and drinking water helps to hydrate your body and keep bad smells at bay.

Those who smoke or chew tobacco are more predisposed to bad breath and gum problems.

Also, those who enjoy eating foods with strong scent such as chilli, curry, pepper and garlic may unknowingly emit bad smells, making the people around them extremely uncomfortable.

“All these are cheap and simple remedies that people should make routine use of in order to improve personal hygiene,” Muigai says.