The top 3 body parts with the strongest 'bad odor'… Why do they still smell even after washing?

I see people suffering from body odor and foot odor.

But that smell... was really disgustingㅠㅠ

I think it smells more because it's summer.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

There are many people who feel stressed because their bodies smell no matter how hard they wash. In particular, the smell often worsens when they sweat. Let's explore the body parts that are particularly prone to bad odors and the reasons behind it.

The navel is a residual organ left after the umbilical cord is removed at birth. It has no particular function, but if not properly cared for, dirt can accumulate and cause odor. Unlike the surrounding skin, the tissue in the navel is thin, making it easy for bacteria to thrive. As bacteria continue to build up, unpleasant odors are inevitable. However, bacteria in the navel are unlikely to have a serious impact on the human body. Most of the dirt in the navel is naturally removed during showering. There is no need for artificial removal, but if there is a strong odor or if the navel is deep, it is advisable to clean it with cotton swabs or cotton balls. Do not use fingers, fingernails, sharp objects, or tools that may be contaminated, and avoid applying excessive force—only gently wipe the visible area.

◇The reason why the armpit area tends to have a particularly strong odor is because there are many apocrine sweat glands distributed in the armpits. The two main types of sweat glands in our body are eccrine glands and apocrine glands. Sweat from eccrine glands is sterile and odorless. In contrast, sweat from apocrine glands flows into hair follicles. This sweat originally contains some fatty components, which become sticky when combined with sebum from the sebaceous glands connected to the hair follicles. This sweat initially has some fatty components, and when it is broken down by the sebum from the sebaceous glands connected to the hair follicles, it produces a substance called ammonia, which causes the odor. If armpit odor is severe, using deodorants to eliminate the smell can be helpful. For permanent results, one can consider a procedure that destroys the sweat glands using electromagnetic waves.

The reason why feet smell is due to the characteristic of feet that easily retain moisture and allow bacteria to multiply. Foot sweat cannot evaporate quickly through socks and shoes, making it easy for bacteria to proliferate. These bacteria feed on the increased keratin on the feet, producing chemical substances such as isovaleric acid that emit unpleasant odors. Some anaerobic bacteria, such as Micrococcus, which dislike oxygen, also produce chemicals that cause bad smells when they feed on keratin. These anaerobic bacteria create multiple shallow holes in the feet, similar to punch marks, leading to a condition called hyperkeratosis, which also results in much stronger odors. To prevent foot odor, it is important to wash the feet frequently and dry them thoroughly to reduce sweating.

<Source: Health Chosun>