Benzoyl Peroxide
After applying every known antifungal/antibacterial herb, I read online to use rubbing alcohol under my arms and eventually the rash went away along with the smell! Although using deodorant would always irritate my underarm skin and cause the smell to come back worse than before a few hours later.
Sadly the smell would always return if I hadn't used rubbing alcohol in 8 to 24hours or so. It would also always return 2 hours after a shower if I did not use rubbing alcohol after a shower.
I eventually developed some weird white pubic hairs in my private area that were thick and very brittle. I found out online it was Trichomycosis axillaris. The standard treatment for it is benzoyl peroxide.
Ever since purchasing a benzoyl peroxide product(acne face wash) and using it on my private area the bacteria was gone along with the usual smell I had down below(I always thought was normal) when I'd sweat too much.
I decided to use it on my underarms and wow my underarms no longer feel sticky and never have that strong smell anymore! Even after 2 days without showering!
Use it at the end of the shower, rub the cream into affected areas for 30 seconds then wash away. I got results after 4 uses of it and continued for 20 more uses after to make sure.
Deodorant Recipe
★★★★★
Recipe
- 1/4 cup baking soda
- 1/4 cup corn starch or arrow root powder
- 6-8 tablespoons virgin coconut oil, melted
- (lots of people add a fragrance. I like the coconut smell and it goes away)
Note: I had a reaction (hives) to cornstarch after shaving. So I tried arrow root. It seems to work as well, but no reaction.
Note: Melt the coconut oil by putting the tub in a bowl of hot water. Use all 8 Tb if you want more moisture, more smell, or have problems like a reaction / hives.
Sift both powders to remove lumps. With an electric beater (or by hand) beat in the oil until there are no lumps and its fluffy. (Run your fingers through it)
Spoon it into any small jar. It will turn hard if you refrigerate it for about 15 minutes. You may have to do this twice, but after 2 weeks of sitting in my bathroom drawer mine is very firm and doesn't get soft. ( Maybe it takes time to really firm up? ). It makes about 2 baby food jars. Apply a pea size amount. I do reapply at night if its hot. Some people put it into an old deodorant tube after making it. I have not tried this. Enjoy!!
Hydrogen Peroxide
★★★★★
Salt
★★★★★
I am battling several illnesses right now, and ever since I got sick I have the worst armpit odor! Soap doesn't remove it. I've tried baking soda, apple cider vinegar, and hydrogen peroxide (separately) and they all work fairly well, but they all feel harsh on my skin and I don't like it.
The other day, I discovered a better solution: iodized salt. I had bought one of those himalayan salt stones for the shower—big mistake. Little crevices in the smooth-looking salt crystal actually SCRATCHED me and literally put salt in the wound! Will never do that again.
However, it gave me the idea of simply mixing some salt into water and applying that right in the bath after washing with soap. Works like a charm! The effect was immediate—no smell whatsoever until the next morning (and then only faint). And I didn't even use deodorant!
I chose iodized salt because iodine is a powerful antimicrobial in its own right. I mix the salt with about two parts warm water (some will not dissolve) and keep it in a little jar in the shower. At the end of the shower (soap and rinse first), I just pour some of the saltwater into my hand and splash it under each arm, being careful to get the whole underarm. When the liquid gets low, I just add some water from the shower for next time
Plastic is best for use in the bath because of the risk of glass breaking. Might be convenient to get one of those dispenser bottles with the pointy top!
Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★☆☆
BETTER BUT WITH SIDE EFFECTS
Stainless Steel Bar
★★★★★
Apple Cider Vinegar
★★★★★
Today I applied Cider Vinegar to my armpit and left for a few minutes before showering (not organic with mother but I shall definitely be investing in some). I also applied a different deodorant from my usual one and have been dry and non-smelly all day.
Am also making a conscious effort to move my arms more/massage my underarm and drink lots more water.
Thank you to all contributors on this website!
Bentonite Clay
★★★★★
★★★★★
I accidentally cured my body odor problem when I was treating myself for bacterial vaginosis. I am on a strict regiment of herbal supplements and vitamins. One of these includes acidophilus and apple cider vinegar (with mother). After experimenting with several types of acidophilus, I wound up taking a gelcap version that requires refrigeration. It has 2 or 3 BILLION live active cultures. This is the dose that I maintain daily. After being on this for a month and half, I noticed I didn't have to fight with body odor - which I always felt was a symptom of some other underlying issue. I used to prepare my day around the fact that I would sweat through deodorant. I was using rubbing alcohol daily after showering to kill remaining bacteria. I packed deodorant EVERYWHERE I WENT. I truly feel I got to the root of the evil bacteria by taking probiotics and ACV though. I tried everything from various natural deodorants, to no deodorant, to the horrible "anti-sweat" deodorants. The acidophilus and ACV has truly helped maintain a healthy pH. I just make this very much a part of my daily life and I have no more issues.
Hope this helps.
Multiple Remedies
★★★★★
Ever since I was 13, no deodorant completely worked for me. I made the mistake of trying every chemical-laden deodorant on the market. I didn't realize, until I weaned myself off of commercial deodorants, that it is the DEODORANTS that are the problem!! I switched to rock type deodorants (there are several different brands, you can buy the kind with the rock or spray-on liquid) about 4 years ago and I will never go back to any other kind of deodorant ever again. In fact, when I do put on regular deodorants now, my body completely rejects them and I break out in horrific, very painful rashes. A few tips for effective use:
1) You need to give your body time to "detox" after using regular deodorants before the natural crystal rock kinds work for you. About 1 or 2 weeks is usually sufficient before you notice a real change.
2) Follow the directions carefully or the deodorant won't work! Apply IMMEDIATELY after getting out of the shower. For a rock deodorant, wet the rock under running water and apply about 20-30 strokes per armpit (yes, really, that many). For a spray deodorant, apply 4 or 5 sprays under each arm.
3) If the natural deodorant doesn't work for you on its own, you can also apply baking soda to the armpit area. Be forewarned though, baking soda can be a little harsh and can leave you with raw skin if used everyday.
- If you are experiencing a lot of body odor, also try the following things which addresses the issue from the inside out: oil pulling, taking coconut oil internally, taking ACV internally, eating an all-natural diet, eliminating toxins from your household, and using all-natural dioxin-free tampons.
Female Body Odor:
To prevent this, wash gently with a 100% natural glycerine soap everyday, which can be purchased very inexpensively for approximately $1 at most grocery or health stores. Don't use regular soap or body washes that are not formulated for use in this area - this is a very gentle region and a body wash that doesn't have a very neutral pH will sting and irritate the area. The more chemicals you can keep out of this area the better (latex condoms, tampons that have dioxide, douches). If you are still experiencing odor after keeping good hygeine, see a doctor, because it might be the sign of an infection.
Foot Odor:
Rock deodorants can be used for this same purpose - and it works! See the instructions above for application. I prefer the spray-on for ease of application.
Mouth Odor:
Good oral hygeine is key. Brushing after every meal and regular flossing are obvious solutions, but if this doesn't work on its own, see the EC posts for oil pulling, oil of oregano, hydrogen peroxide and sea salt rinses.
Coconut Oil, Baking Soda
Coconut Oil, Baking Soda
★★★★★
Ammonia Odor
1. You are too acidic.
2. An infection with helicobacter, the bacteria that causes stomach ulcers, or by eating too much protein.
3. Foods you are eating.
Ammonia Odor
Apple Cider Vinegar
Baking Soda, Corn Flour, Coconut Oil
★★★★★
You can follow the exact recipe or adapt it. I used around 55 grams of Bicarbonate Soda, 30 grams of corn flour and around 8 Tbs of coconut oil. (add more if you need to)
Mix it into a good consistency... Not too, runny not too thick. Put it in a glass jar. Voila! Rub a little under your arms and that's that. Your search is over. I swear by this. It truly works... And keeps on working. Yay! The manufacturers have just lost millions. :)
PS: I just had to share this one. I truly love this site. It's helped so many people. Many many thanks to Earth Clinic for all that you do.
Baking Soda
★★★★★
Baking Soda
Thoroughly Mix 2 tablespoons of Baking soda in water (About a cup of water but this really depends on the size of the spray bottle).
Once the baking soda has dissolved, pour the mixture into a glass spray bottle.
This method is easy, clean & works awesome!
* Special Note: Add your favourite essential oils to give it a pleasant scent : )
Baking Soda
Baking Soda
Using Baking Soda for deodorant gave my son the same rash. If yours hasn't cleared up yet, a calendula salve is what cleared up his rash, which was itchy and miserable.
I think using coconut oil straight for a deodorant would have a tendency to stain clothes. I have seen recipes for home made deodorant creams or bars that have coconut oil in them, along with things like arrowroot powder, baking soda, essential oils, and beeswax. It might be something to look into, I think mixed with other ingredients, coconut oil wouldn't be so likely to stain.
The following are some other things you could use as a deodorant. Magnesium Oil, Witch Hazel, Rubbing alcohol. (Either on a cotton ball or in a spray bottle.)
~Mama to Many~
Apple Cider Vinegar
If the folks were using the store brand or generic brands then that could be why the ACV didn't work to rid them of the body odor - it's the apples that make it work! :o)
Lime
★★★★★
Against body odor i use lime under my armpits. Works like a charm and is oh so cheap. i keep half of a lime in a small container in the bathroom and use it maybe three days and than use the other half that i have refrigirated.
My job involves some heavy work and also with workouts nd i would sweat so much, that i couldnt get it out of my clothes, but then i remembered this old, simple remedy and i am sticking to it. It worked for me on the very first day. But some people need to use it for a week, but it is amazing
Maybe lemons will do the trick to, but this is the way that it has been done in my country for ages.
Hope it helps.
Lakewood organic lemon juice from Whole Foods. There are no chemicals, preservatives, or additives. There may be a little pulp at the bottom of the bottle. In an 8-ounce misting spray bottle, fill 3/4 of the bottle with lemon juice and 1/4 of the bottle with tap water. Don't get any of the pulp into the spray bottle; it could clog the spray tube. Shake well and apply 5 pumps* to each clean underarm. I fan my arms for a few seconds before getting dressed, but you don't have to. The citric acid in the lemon juice prevents bacteria and odor from ever forming under your arms. You still perspire, which is good and healthy. The spray has lasted well into the next day for me. The best thing is that I am not allergic to it: no skin tenderness, no itching, no rash.
I had been using baking soda in every possible recipe and ratio as an excellent deodorant, BUT, it created the worst itchy skin rash that left my armpits tender and darkly discolored. Even though it was effective, the discomfort under my arms wasn't worth the continued use.
So after researching other natural deodorants, I discovered that people used sliced lemon as an effective deodorant. I thought rubbing actual fruit would be cumbersome and costly, so I decided to try lemon juice to make a spray. It's truly natural and organic compared to baking soda and it works! Plus, within the first week of me using the lemon water deodorant, the lemon significantly lightened the darkness under my arms that the baking soda caused. My 9-year-old was using a less synthetic deodorant (Lafe's) that contains mineral salts (I wasn't totally crazy about that, even though many people think it's natural), but is now using lemon water spray too, and has had no odor, no sensitivity, and is quite happy with it.
I hope someone here can benefit from it as well. Just remember to use organic lemon juice, NOT the stuff in the plastic lemon-shaped bottle with chemicals in it. Keep the opened lemon juice bottle in the refrigerator until you are ready to refill your deodorant spray bottle.
* 5 pumps may seem like a lot, but it's really not for a sprayer that mists fine droplets. The mist will distribute over your underarm skin more evenly. A sprayer that produces larger droplets won't get good coverage and will have the liquid running down your sides and make the application of the deodorant messy. Good luck and enjoy!
