Mr Lamin Jobe, a fitness trainer in Serekunda, urges footballers to prioritise personal hygiene as body odour is unavoidable.
Mr Jobe was speaking to a group of young people at a football training grounds following complains from some boys don’t regularly take bath
“Body odour is a result of the interaction between skin bacteria and sweat. Sweat itself is mostly odourless, but when bacteria break down sweat components, especially in areas like the armpits and groin. it produces volatile compounds responsible for body odour.”he said
He added that primary bacteria responsible for breaking down sweat into pungent-smelling compounds like thiols and fatty acids.
” Staphylococcus spp. – Common on the skin; some species contribute to body odour by producing thioalcohols, which smell like onions or sulfur, while others can suppress it.
Cutibacterium spp. – Found in sebaceous areas (e.g., the face, scalp), contributing to certain odours.”
Mr Jobe further added that these bacteria contribute to a musty or sweaty odour, often found on the feet and underarms.
“Having body odour can make your social interactions awkward, leading to embarrassment. It can also create a negative impression about you, making people assume you have poor hygiene, even if the odour is due to medical or dietary factors and also affect your relationship with colleagues.”
