Make your own deodarant paste to prevent body odour

¦ In recent months, none of my usual deodorants work.

I wash my underarms more than once daily and have to change t-shirt, top, etc, during the day, (I use Elave products for hair and body wash).

In addition, I have irritation where my skin connects with the armhole in garments. I am 73, I regard myself as healthy, despite being on medication for A fib, osteoporosis and psoriasis. I eat a good diet.

>> Chances are that the irritation in the armpit is a combination of the frequent washing of such a delicate skin area and the seam of the fabric causing further friction.

You are using a good body wash product that won’t contribute to skin irritation — the only other potential culprit is your washing powder or liquid, so check that this is also safe for your skin.

In your original letter (edited for space), you outlined the deodorants that you have been using in the past — all of which are free of any chemical nasties, so these are also unlikely to be causing irritation.

As for deodorants that work, my favourite one is a homemade paste. I have even had feedback from builders and roofers, working in an Australian summer, who have used this recipe to successfully prevent body odour.

DEODORANT PASTE

1 tablespoon coconut oil

1 tablespoon arrowroot powder

1 tablespoon cornflour

2/3 tablespoons baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)

3-4 drops of essential oils

Mix the powders together in a small jar, add the essential oils, and then slowly combine the coconut oil until it reaches the consistency of a hair pomade.

This deodorant keeps indefinitely, and you only need a small amount each day. Just rub it onto your fingertips to warm the coconut oil, and massage into your armpits following your morning bath or shower. Oils such as cypress, sandalwood, and bergamot work well in this recipe.

¦ I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia six years ago, and am on Efexor and Eltroxin daily. I still get flare-ups regularly. Would natural remedies ease the condition?

I am a male in my mid-60s and not keen on too much medication, as I also take Lipitor for cholesterol and Calcichew for bone-density.

>> Fibromyalgia is a mystery, and can take a while to be diagnosed. The symptoms include tender points on the body, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and aching throughout the body.

It is a chronic, musculoskeletal condition and an auto-immune disorder.

As with most auto-immune disorders, diet can play a role in treating and preventing symptoms, although there is no cure.

Half of sufferers have an irritable bowel-type condition, so supplementation with a quality probiotic is good. Reducing or eliminating wheat and dairy is also beneficial, with most sufferers improving by making these simple dietary changes.

As for natural remedies, sutherlandia frutescens is worth consideration. Not only is it a useful remedy in treating fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, and ME, it also reduces stress and anxiety.

Sutherlandia is available from the Little Herbal Company, where it is sold as Filisa, and available from health stores and www.littleherbalinternational.co.nz.

A physical therapy shows great promise in treating fibromyalgia — the Bowen Technique. Bowen involves a series of gentle pressures to specific areas, enabling the body to self-regulate and initiate an individual pattern of healing. To find a Bowen therapist, check out the website, www.bowenireland.com, or phone Pauline Flanagan at 028-6632 9599.

The Cork Fibromyalgia Support Group have monthly meetings and can be contacted on 021-4320201, if you want more information and support.