Memorial Day Weekend is officially here, which means summertime is fast-approaching, which means warm weather, which means sweat, which means extra attention must be paid to personal hygiene.
Thankfully, the guys over at BuzzFeed Life have put together a handy guide for how to avoid “swamp crotch” this summer. They sat down with a cosmetic doctor at the Harley Street Clinic in London, to discuss how to keep your nether region fresh as the temperature outside rises.
Here’s a quick recap:
Step #1: Proper washing.
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“Washing should be done with gentle/normal cleansers such as soap. Mild detergents (body washes) can be used, but can cause sensitivity. Products that are used on the face such as glycol cleansers should be avoided,” Dr. Tee tells BuzzFeed.
Related: PHOTOS: A Lot Happens Inside The Men’s Shower Room
Step #2: Toweling off.
“It should be remembered that sweat is in fact odorless, it is only when it is broken down by bacteria that it smells.” says Tee.
The key to freshness is limiting the amount of moisture before that breaking down can even place.
“Thorough drying of the area after a shower (using a hair dryer if necessary) is vitally important to prevent or reduce these problems.”
Step #3: Baby powder. It’s not just for babies.
“[A]ny tight clothing can cause increased sweating, rashes, and possibly contribute to ingrown hairs,” explains the always helpful Tee. “Generally loose clothing in the groin area is recommended, although it is obviously not always fashionable.”
If you’re not into loose-fitting clothing, a quick application of baby powder after showering can be an effective way to absorb any excess moisture.
Related: PHOTOS: Hit The Shower With These Hot Hunks From Yesteryear
Step #4: Whatever you do, don’t put deodorant on your crotch!
“Antiperspirants should be avoided, as they work by blocking sweat glands. This can lead to irritation and rashes.”
Step #5: Make sure your underwear breathes.
Lycra underwear may look better, but when the weather is exceptionally warm, it’s best to go with “good, clean, well-fitting underwear that allows for maximum breathability and keeps your testes cool,” BuzzFeed recommends.
“People who constantly sweat in the groin region are at increased risk of developing fungal infections,” Tee explains. “These are very sore and uncomfortable, but can be easily treated with appropriate creams.”
“In summary,” he concludes, “cotton boxer shorts are ideal.”
watching1
I don’t know who that guy is, but sweat is not odourless. Try eating a lot of garlic. Take a good shower and see how your sweat smells after a while.
Realitycheck
@watching1:
Sweat is odorless, it become stinky thanks to bacteria that naturally
leave on our skin and attack it.
That said, to get read of smell, stop eating spices, spicy is ok,
but other species like curry and the rest will make you stinky.
And vegetarians smell the least.
Last for the average person a shower twice a day is more then enough….
Sweetie Pie
My boyfriend loves it when my crotch smells like Gorgonzola cheese
Xzamilio
Oh, hell no!! I came for the manspread in the photo!!! I want the manspread, goddammit!!!
Mandrake
And in regards to # 3, NEVER use Bonds Gold Powder down there if you develop a rash. It aggravates the irritation with dryness and makes the rash worse. Use an oil based lotion such as unscented massage oil.
myloginname
What’s wrong with a little crotch scent?
Glücklich
@Xzamilio:
Same here.
Glücklich
Re steps 3 and 5…I know loose-fitting is best for the boys but goddammit I don’t kill myself at the gym working my ass off to wear a kaftan.
1898
I’d personally prefer not to smell like a diaper, so baby powder isn’t gonna work for me. I use Shower To Shower powder in the summer. Some of you might remember it from the ’80s/’90s TV commercials. They still make it. Good stuff. 🙂
Glücklich
@myloginname:
Oh, well, when you put it like that…
Brooke Tummino
Dustin Jericho
Cesar Fortun
No baby powder, it will cake in your area with sweat.
Ha ha!!!
Cesar Fortun
OMG!
You don’t know
how?!
It’s centuries old personal hygiene knowledge in the Philippines!!!
J Stephen Lafayette
DON’T WEAR UNDERWEAR! I free ball every day of my life and I’m fine!
Cagnazzo82
It’s called using soap that works.
Your crotch should not smell like anything if you actually use decent soap.
Luis Collazo
Baby powder causes cancer!
Captain Obvious
@J Stephen Lafayette: Mmm.
JessPH
As someone who lives in a tropical nation, i know about all these things by heart.
Wil Hall
JessPH
@Cesar Fortun: I am from the Philippines as well. When it’s summer, none of the things listed here actually work. Taking a bath three times would not even work 🙁
Robert Julian
I used the baby powder until my boyfriend said that every time he went down on me he felt like a pedophile.
Douglas Neil Horoho
Strange graphic for this story.
Brian Widmar
John McCarter!!
jwtraveler
@Robert Julian: LOL. Rinse first, then ‘blow’ dry.
jwtraveler
@Cagnazzo82: Like all animals, human beings have body odor. It’s normal and natural. (I know someone will say that the smell comes from bacteria, but bacteria are a natural part of our bodies, inside and out.) In modern society, a strong body odor can be objectionable, especially in the workplace or on public transportation. But the obsession with eliminating body odor is pathological and unhealthy and, in part, a scam by makers of “personal hygiene” products to sell us deodorants and various scented products. Showering often with soap may reduce body odor, but it also removes necessary oils from the skin. The increased use of anti-bacterial products has greatly reduced the natural and necessary bacteria in our bodies and has been linked to the increase in auto-immune diseases and allergies.
On a personal note, I’ve always been very sensitive to perfumes and fragrances. I try to use unscented soaps, shampoos and lotions. I’ve tried deodorants, but I find them disgusting.
Bottom line: Personal hygiene is fine, but human beings stink. Get used to it.
Mark Ilvonen
stupid article.
Thomas Laewetz
This stuff should be common sense to people!
Michael Golden
Mmmmm
Jonty Coppersmith
I wear 100% cotton knit boxer briefs and blow dry first, no probs.
Raphael
@J Stephen Lafayette: ew gross x.x
Duke Marine
One particularly hot summer when I was having to do a lot of walking I actually started using a light flow day pad lol
Deondré R Parker
What the hell is swamp crotch? This is a common issue for men?
Ew.
Deondré R Parker
I had no idea. Always clean and only deal with clean men!
Saint Law
Let a bloke smell like a bloke. Most deodorants are basically scented petrol anyway.
NoCagada
Chicken noodle soup
Ronnie Richmond
Baby powder = sweat gravy. Try anti fungal powders like tinactin. But beware of menthol treated powders. Ouch.
Barry J. Hoelscher
I thought it was sexy to have your man scent for each other? What has happened to the real men? 😉 bjh
Paco
I’ve never heard of swamp crotch or experienced it before. Is that only an issue for uncut guys?
winemaker
AN INTERESTING SUBJECT, TO SAY THE LEAST.. ACTUALLY, IF YOU WANT TO REMAIN SQUEAKY CLEAN “DOWN THERE , A FEW IDEAS – SUGGESTIONS. WHEN YOU SHOWER, USE SOAP. IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE SOME EXOTIC EXPENSIVE DEODERANT SOAP, JUST PLAIN OLD SOAP AND HOT WATER. I LIKE TO USE “MAGNO LA TOJA, BLACK SOAP FROM SPAIN. IT’S SCENT FREE AND LEAVES YOU REALLY CLEAN. IT TAKES A BIT OF SEARCHING TO FIND IT, BUT IT’S WORTH IT. IT’S HARD MILLED AND LASTS A LONG TIME. YOU CAN FIND THIS SOAP AT DEPARTMENT STORE COSMETIC DEPARTMENTS OR ON LINE. THE SPANISH TABLE IN SEATTLE WASHINGTON CARRIES IT ALONG WITH A PLETHORA OF GOODS FROM SPAIN. IT’S LIKE A TRIP TO EL CORTE INGLES OR GALLERIAS PRECIADOS, TWO MAJOR DEPARTMENT STORES THROUGHOUT SPAIN.. I STARTED USING THIS WHEN I WAS IN SPAIN MANY YEARS AGO AND LOVE IT. ALSO, IF YOU’RE UNCUT, LIKE ME, PULL YOUR FORESKIN BACK AND WASH UNDER IT. THIS OFTEN IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH UNCUT GUYS. ALSO, YOU MIGHT LIKE TO GO ‘COMMANDO’ OR FAILING THAT, WEAR COTTON BOXERS, OR THONGS. DON’T WEAR NON COTTON UNDIES. MATERIALS LIKE NYLON DON’T BREATHE AND CAUSE YOU TO SWEAT. HOPE THIS HELPS
martinbakman
@Sweetie Pie: Mine too! 🙂
John D. Plume
Unscented talcum powder is hard to find and many find “baby powder” irritating–it’s no longer used in hospital gloves which use, now:
Corn starch.
Cheap and effective. A light, thorough dusting works well and will avoid caking.
jwtraveler
@John D. Plume: I buy cornstarch and baking powder in the supermarket and mix them together 1:1. No chemical additives or irritating fragrances.
skcord
I used baby powder as an adult not too long ago.. it blocked a pore, I developed an abscess the size of a baseball along with a 103 degree temp. It required surgery a month and a half of antibiotics. I was in the hospital 5 days, never again!
Glücklich
@jwtraveler:
What a great idea! Can you put that in shoes, too? I am all for those Heloise-type tips.
Cody McCall
Swamp Ass
Paul Whitten
Dry guys by Athena’s…works amazingly wonderful
Daerius
Okay…any guy who uses baby powder can forget about being on the receiving end of oral sex, because that just ain’t gonna happen!
bottom250
I love the musk of a man.
Stache99
@Daerius: Oh no. You don’t know if you should suck him or burp him. Lol
NJjoe
@J Stephen Lafayette:
I’ll have to give that a try.
I’ve heard baby powder is not such a good idea because it can block pores and cause problems with huge sores appearing. I hear it hurts like hell.
Realitycheck
@Deondré R Parker:
LOL is just a silly article on a gay site.
@Paco:
Paco what does uncut have to do with sweat? I would think in this case
the guilty part would be; the skin between the legs and the scrotum and the
anus, assuming one sweat that much.
By the way in the USA we have Thai stones, to be rubbed on any sweat area for
prevention, while in Europe there are anti perspiration creams that simply require a once a week application to rid of odors.
jwtraveler
@Glücklich: Why not?
@Daerius: It washes off.