Do I smell?

[emsiewill]

I probably should change my name for this, but as none of you are ever likely to have to be in close proximity to me, I can't be bothered.

Lately, I have noticed that I have started to exude a pungent smell from my armpits. It seems to have been worse over the last year or so.

I wash every day, keep my armpits hair-free, use anti-perspirant / deodorant, change my top every day (never used to have to ), but still half way through the morning I start to get these whiffs. In fact last week it was so bad, I was looking round to see who the smelly person was, and then I realised it was me

I have searched some previous threads, but people only seem to have a problem with sweating, and I don't really seem to sweat that much - certainly don't particularly feel like I have damp armpits. I just smell...

Was using Mitcham's stick deodorant. Didn't seem to make any difference. Currently using Sanex roll on, again no discernable difference.

I don't think people are noticing, but of course no-one is going to want to have to tell me anyway, are they?

Please can anyone help me? [pleading emoticon]

[JessaJam]

Sometimes the smell seems to 'stick' in your clothes... it sort of gets 're-activated' when you wear them (even after they have been washed etc)...do you have the same problem if wearing brand new clothes?

[emsiewill]

Hmmm, not sure I do have the problem in fairly new clothes (ie worn 2 or 3 times).

So what washing powder gets the smell out, then?

[Twiglett]

are you pregnant?

[JessaJam]

I have no idea!!

I had this problem with a few of my tops and I ended up chucking them.

[emsiewill]

No, no, no, definitely not pregnant - no possibility of that (thank goodness).

Just smelly.

[sallyrosie]

Have you tried washing all clothes at hottest temp, only wearing once before washing, using chlorhexidine to wash body(antibacterial soap) and looking at your diet (curry/garlic etc)?

[emsiewill]

bump

[emsiewill]

Oh yes, can relate to that...just been to rehearsal and find it difficult not to turn round to the old dears behind me and say oh for God's sake stop your bloody faffing.

But I am afraid they will answer "well at least we don't smell dear"

[BlueBeetle]

Hmmmm - me too Emsie !! Embarassing isn't it !

Deffo for me some tops are smellier than others ! And I have to say - I only ever wear pure cotton or linen - never any smelly nylon here ! Saw some washing powder tabs in Tesco last week that said they contain Febreze (or maybe it was fabric conditioner !) - wondered if that would help ! Didn't get it though so sorry can't tell you if it works ! I usually just chuck the tops and buy some more to be honest ! Expensive !

How old are you ? I was wondering if I was a bit peri-menopausal or something (I'm 39) - also I find it worse week before period ! Also sweatier and hotter that week too !

[Mum2FunkyDude]

Do you smell different to yourself? Do you suffer from joint pains and gout maybe?

[Mum2FunkyDude]

If it is the clothes try white wine vinegar rubbed into the armpit area before you put it in the wash, you can even add about a cup full to the whole load to remove any bad odours.

[emsiewill]

I haven't noticed if it's worse at any particular time of the month, but perhaps I should start monitoring it a bit more closely. At the moment, I'm mid-cycle. I'm 37 in a couple of weeks, so I suppose could be peri-menopausal - how depressing.

Bizarrely, I noticed it particularly last Tuesday and then again today - not as strong on any other day during the last week . Perhaps Tuesday is smelly day...

Will try the white wine vinegar thing - if I'm going to have to replace everything anyway, it can't do any harm!

I do smell a bit different, but no joint pains or gout that I have noticed...

[3littlefrogs]

Just a thought - can you get practice nurse or GP to check your urine? Just wondering if your kidneys are functioning efficiently? Its the only thing medical I can think of.

[sleepfinder]

What about your diet? It may sound obvious, but you will sweat out garlic and spicey foods more noticably than if you have a very bland diet. I think sometimes it can also be a signal that hormone levels are different ~(as someone has already said..) or that you're maybe unwell in some other department? talk to your GP perhaps?