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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to be super puzzled why my elbow stinks

462 replies

samsamsamsamsamsam · 08/05/2019 20:57

what on earth...... I am clean. I am always clean. However for the past few days my right elbow (the crook of it) has been omitting a god awful stench. I can't wash it off. It is foul.

It smells like feet and rot and awfulness. There is no broken skin, it just looks like a normal elbow. WTF.

why is this happening? anyone got any ideas? soap isn't doing anything!

OP posts:
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6
bigKiteFlying · 09/05/2019 12:45

In an effort to be helpful I tried googling sweaty elbows - as it's not an area I particularly sweat in - and it's comming up with Menopause or underlying joint inflamation.

I'd strongly suggest GP or pharmacist - just to be sure there's nothing really wrong.

(I've used TCP since a early adolescent and have never burnt myself - wtf are people doing with it)

BagofTeeth · 09/05/2019 12:41

Oh no OP sorry the TCP burnt you. Sudocrem is a good barrier which can help heal it too although does sound like Canesten will be best now.

ImpracticalCape · 09/05/2019 12:31

You know those times when a word starts to look weird. Like it's made up or doesn't mean anything? This is one of those times.
Elbow
Elbow
ELBOW.

Original poster
samsamsamsamsamsam · 09/05/2019 12:25

Slightly outing but maybe all of us from up north have smelly elbows? I've just found this second google result down:

to be super puzzled why my elbow stinks
OP posts:
Original poster
samsamsamsamsamsam · 09/05/2019 12:23

It's not on the bony bit, I have rubbed it with my hand and there's no smell, where if I do that in the crook of the elbow I can smell it.

I smelt it first on waking up a few days ago when I sat up in bed and did something like scratch my face or something. It was awful then.

OP posts:
Original poster
samsamsamsamsamsam · 09/05/2019 12:21

No elbow pics because I am at work and would look very very weird. I also have a big scar on that arm that might be outing.

Update: TCP burned my skin. Just read all your comments and wish I had read them before I burned myself. I have hives on it now, oops.

Update 2: despite the smell of TCP (which I quite like) I just went for a walk for lunch and started sweating (a little bit) and its come back! It's my sweat I think, but only in this one place.

I will have to get some Canesten on the way home.

OP posts:
Innersmellbow · 09/05/2019 12:20

I'm a smellbower.

In Tescos. Blush

idbenappingbutthedogbarked · 09/05/2019 12:13

Also love the idea of elbow sniffing being the MN handshake Grin

I really want someone to come on and say yes, they were sniffing their elbow on the train.

idbenappingbutthedogbarked · 09/05/2019 12:12

This thread 😂

Are you sure it's not something actually on the bony bit of your elbow that you haven't seen? And the smell is just...a referred smell?

SushiTime · 09/05/2019 12:06

Can I see a pic of your pissed smellbow?

ScrambledSmegs · 09/05/2019 11:55

If you've got any canestan/generic clotrimazol you can apply a thin layer of that as it's anti fungal. TCP is rather harsh and you probably shouldn't use it neat.

You should probably see your GP though as we're only strangers on the internet!

Hutchismo · 09/05/2019 11:41

Are you a vet?

AudacityOfHope · 09/05/2019 11:39

@Innersmellbow 😂😂😂

BagofTeeth · 09/05/2019 11:35

I'm scared to go near TCP now as I used to overuse it whenever I had a graze and "burnt" a lot of skin off my wrist with it once.

Hope it helps OP but do be careful with it too.

Darkstar4855 · 09/05/2019 11:33

I would ask the pharmacist for advice. Would be worth trying some antifungal cream to see if it helps.

Innersmellbow · 09/05/2019 11:27

AudacityOfHope Grin Grin Grin

Remember to do a shoulder kiss after an elbow smell.

Keep it balanced.

lazymare · 09/05/2019 11:14

You need Canestan.

WokenUp · 09/05/2019 11:04

I love the smell of the stuff I get out from underneath my toenails. But I do recognise I am probably in the minority.

RevealTheLegend · 09/05/2019 10:58

I am alive this morning thank you. Audacity And my elbows smell OK

Galaxy88 · 09/05/2019 10:37

Do you normally smell your elbows? How did you know it first stank? I wonder if the crook of your knees smell too...

Loyaultemelie · 09/05/2019 10:30

Happy to report no smellbows here I also made Dh check his on his way out, he thinks I've lost the plot

foxandthehound · 09/05/2019 10:13
Grin
Original poster
samsamsamsamsamsam · 09/05/2019 10:12

Got it. Will update once applied.

to be super puzzled why my elbow stinks
OP posts:
Original poster
samsamsamsamsamsam · 09/05/2019 10:10

I got some TCP on the way to work. I might change my name to smellbowsam :-)

I don't want DH to smell my elbowpitt it's too rank. Like I said it smells like the stuff you get under your toenails, vinegary meatyness. awful.

It has to be bacterial or fungal. I'll pop out for some TCP later.

OP posts:
TracyBeakerSoYeah · 09/05/2019 10:06

Has your elbow been taken over by aliens? Grin
Though seriously I would take 'Smellbow' to the doctors, in case you have an infection or something.

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