Strange Smells
In the United States, we are extremely concerned about body odor. The best ways to keep unpleasant odors away are to bathe regularly, wear clean clothes, and brush your teeth at least twice a day. If you need a deodorant, mouthwash, breath mint or foot spray to make you feel more confident, go ahead and use them. However, be careful trying these products for the first time -- you may be allergic to some of the ingredients.
Bad Breath (Halitosis)
Bad breath happens to everyone. It is caused by bacteria growing in our mouths, and on our tongues. The best things to do to keep your breath fresh is to:
- Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day.
- Brush or scrape your tongue each day.
- See your dentist twice a year to have your teeth cleaned.
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Underarm Body Odor ("BO")
Body odor is created when, during puberty, your body starts producing an odorless secretion from special sweat glands (called apocrine glands), and that secretion interacts with the bacteria on your skin. The best things you can do to avoid body odor is to:
- Take daily baths or showers, even more than once a day if you are involved in athletics or get really hot.
- Use an antiperspirant (which keeps you drier) or a deodorant (which covers up the smell).
- Wear only clean clothes, and wash your clothes regularly.
- Eat a well-balanced diet.
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Smelly Feet
Feet can stink, especially if you are sweating, or have a fungal infection. The best ways to avoid stinky feet and shoes are to:
- Clean your feet daily with soap and water.
- Let your wet or sweaty shoes dry out completely before you put them on again.
- Apply some cornstarch or powder to your feet, or in your shoes
- Wear sandals to let foot sweat evaporate.
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Vaginal Odor
Girls may start to notice that there is a small amount of clear, milky white or yellowish secretion that might come out of their vaginas, even before they start to have periods. These secretions might be heavier around the time of ovulation, and may have a stringy consistency. They might also make a yellow stain on your underwear and have a slight smell. This is perfectly normal and a sign that your body is maturing.
What is not normal is a vaginal discharge that is brownish or greenish, looks like cottage cheese or has an unpleasant smell. These symptoms might mean you have an infection, and you should see a gynecologist or family physician.
When girls are having periods, they tend to worry that they smell bad. This is not true. If you wash everyday, change your pad or tampon frequently, and wear clean underwear each day, you should be fine. Sometimes advertisers suggest women need to douche to stay fresh, but this is not true. The only time women need to douche is if a doctor suggests a douche as a way to get medication into the vagina.
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Penis Odor
Most penises do not smell, but if yours does, it could be due to an accumulation of smegma (the natural lubricant) under your foreskin. To avoid penis odor, keep your penis clean by bathing or showering regularly. While bathing, gently pull back your foreskin to make sure the foreskin and head of your penis are clean.
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