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• Glenys

  

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  • 162 posts
  October 22, 2012 11:51:25 PM WATime

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  Two members have posted concern about underarm odour on the wall, i.e. "Underarm care after lymph node removal & mastectomy. My armpit is smelly! I bathe it carefully each day with unperfumed soap but can't get rid of unpleasant odors. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks", and  "I have the same problem and would like a solution too." ..

   

  Hope the following info helps:

   

  Underarm odour ..

   

  Some women do notice changes in underarm perspiration and/or odour after breast cancer surgery and treatments. The most common cause of changes is radiation treatment to the axillary (armpit) region – however this usually causes disruption to sweat gland function and often leads to less sweating & odour from the affected armpit.  Treatments such as chemotherapy and hormone therapy may influence the odour of sweat due to chemical influences. Surgery to breast and armpit may cause alteration to drainage and sweat production.  

   

  Other contributing factors to body odour may include diet & lifestyle, e.g. spicy foods, red meat, garlic and onions, as well as drinking alcohol and smoking. High stress levels may also increase sweat and body odour.
  
  Another common factor after breast cancer is that many women are wary of using their ‘regular’ anti-perspirants and deodorants. Many of these contain aluminium or other ingredients that may give rise to concern about their safety, although there is no real evidence to support a link between breast cancer concerns and aluminium in deodorants (ref:  Antiperspirants and Breast Cancer Risk ).  

   

   

  If increased odour is a problem ..what can you do?

   

  Body odour is caused by the breakdown of sweat and the acidic by-products of bacterial activity. The armpit area is renowned for being the major contributor to body odour.

   

  Things you can do to help reduce body odour developing:

  • #   Regular thorough washing of armpits is essential to remove sweat and bacteria. Using an ant-bacterial soap is recommended to help eliminate bacteria.
  • #   Clothing can retain underarm odour, even after it has been washed. Wash sweaty clothing using good detergent and a cupful of baking soda (or vinegar) to deodorize them more effectively.
    
    

  Different deodorants will work for different people. Experiment with ideas and remedies until you find what works best for you.  A range of ‘natural’ deodorants are available from health food stores, chemists and some supermarkets if you’d prefer to use them.

   

  Some suggestions for ‘home-made’ deodorants include:

   

  1. 1. Milk of magnesia – MoM (Magnesium Hydroxide 1200mg) -use undiluted and apply to the armpits with a cotton pad or just pour a little onto palm and dab with fingertips to armpits. Allow to dry completely before dressing. Some ‘roll-on’ MoM deodorants are available.

   

  1. 2. Mix ¼ cup each of aloe vera gel, witch hazel extract and mineral water, & teaspoon vegetable glycerine, & 2-3 drops tea tree oil  – put into spray bottle. Shake well before each use. Use as a ‘spray’ deodorant.

   

  1. 3. Bicarbonate soda has long been used as a deodoriser! For a ‘dry’ mix, combine equal parts bicarb soda and cornflour in a container. Close and shake until well combined. Using a cotton pad, dab onto underarms.

   

  1. 4. White vinegar (undiluted) dabbed with cotton pad to armpits.

   

  1. 5. Diluted hydrogen peroxide solution (1teaspoon 3% hydrogen peroxide to 1 cup water) – dabbed with cotton pad.

   

  These are just some ideas .. please let us know if any of these work (or don’t!) for you. We’d also love to hear of other ideas you may like to add …

   

  Love Glenys (Click Breast Care Nurse) xx 

  

  The Click Breast Care Nurse 

• maria486

  

  • 5 posts
  April 6, 2013 5:02:00 AM WATime

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  Great tips. I will try them out and let you know if they worked for me.

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