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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

I stink AIBU

87 replies

Dontknowwhattodowithmyselfnow · 13/07/2025 00:01

I sweat, so badly. I've tried all the deodorants suggested on here, I wash with bar soap, I've tried the (can't remember what it's called) something 500/600.
I shower at night and put deodorant on, them wake up smelly and shower again!
Honestly, I smell so bad!
Please help!

OP posts:
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MyKidsLoseAllMyStuff · 25/07/2025 06:17

All the derms on my Fb reels feed are recommending hypochlorous acid for underarm BO. I think it’s mainly a US-based thing but I’m sure you could get it here too.

FateReset · 25/07/2025 06:14

Also in summer I wrap a bar of soap in a shower scrub mitt and use that instead of gel in shower, I guess it exfoliates too.

FateReset · 25/07/2025 06:12

Could it be your sense of smell changing eg with hormonal fluctuations?

It's normal and healthy to sweat in hot humid weather.

When I think my anti perspirant is failing me, I sniff other things and always discover things like handsoap smell strong or bad or I suddenly hate smells like bleach despite not minding. I think mine is affected by air pressure changes too, could be we use fans aircon etc more, drying out sinuses?

Original poster
Dontknowwhattodowithmyselfnow · 25/07/2025 01:20

Too many questions to answer, but yes I do a lot of team sports!
I've isolated myself from all other sports/hobbies.

OP posts:
Original poster
Dontknowwhattodowithmyselfnow · 25/07/2025 01:08

rainbowsandraspberrygin · 13/07/2025 20:33

Things I’ve read on here:

  1. Driclor Deo - used myself as a teen
  2. sure cream stick deo - use now and it’s good
  3. bamboo clothing - boody is great. Bedding too from m&s
  4. do you eat lots of onion and garlic - try cutting down.

sounds like it good be hormonal? Maybe GP to check bloods and any other underlying issues

I'm Italian, I can't cur down on onions and garlic!

OP posts:
SnowFrogJelly · 25/07/2025 00:55

See the doctor about this

Original poster
Dontknowwhattodowithmyselfnow · 25/07/2025 00:49

pinotgrigiomum · 13/07/2025 00:33

By the sounds of it you are peri menopause I have what you describe so do my friends unfortunately welcome to the club😬👊

I don't want to be part of the club! How do I opt out?!
I'm only 37, but my mum was peri-menopausal at 36!

OP posts:
Notouchingmybhuna · 18/07/2025 17:45

Is this a fairly new issue? If so, you need to make a GP appointment.

MissPeachyKeen · 18/07/2025 17:39

Dontknowwhattodowithmyselfnow · 17/07/2025 01:20

Thank you for all of your recommendations, I'm going to try out all of these, for sure!
Will report back!

If you're open to further recommendations then I recommend Perspirex.

abracadabra1980 · 18/07/2025 10:36

Driclor does work but many years ago it left my armpits red raw. I think I'd have botox these days.

Goldengirl123 · 18/07/2025 10:33

I can’t use bar soap or I would be the same. I have to use shower gel, then I use Mitchum roll on and never have a problem

NotSmallButFunSize · 18/07/2025 10:27

Just sending solidarity OP - I do everything on this thread except Botox and I am the sweatiest person in the world! I find it's not a BO smell for me, just a smell of having sweated and then the stale antiperspirant has dried (hard to explain!)

I sweat when it's freezing cold, boiling hot and everything in between - it's very annoying

SoThisIsHowMiddleAgeFeels · 18/07/2025 10:02

OP I had a problem with this a few years ago. I was washing my clothes on 30 degrees and I don't think the smell was coming out properly. They smelt clean when I first put them on but then seemed to smell. I only wash at 40 degrees now and the problem seems to have gone away.

Other things to try - if you eat alot of processed junk food try stopping it and eating only whole foods for a couple of weeks. I'm in the process of losing weight (3 stone down, 4 to go, not on WL drugs) and I think eating better foods is causing me to smell better. I mean I am still overweight although less so but eating real food seems to make me smell better.

Try using the dettol wash that everyone is recommending. Just buy a big bottle and use it for the duration it lasts. I think it does give everything a extra good clean.

Just wear 100% cotton tops. None of these cheap man made fabrics.

Bar soap and anti p we all know.

Good luck. It made me feel really self concious for a while.

fixingmylife · 18/07/2025 09:49

I make a paste of bentonite clay and apple cider vinegar to paste on underarms. It's supposed to work as a detox. I think it helps with BO.

vincettenoir · 18/07/2025 09:41

I have heard giving up garlic and onions helps a lot but personally I’d rather have bo.

Devianinc · 18/07/2025 00:32

Everyone in the world can give you advice but you have to see a doctor. There’s a million reasons why this happening to you including having some kind of bacterial infection that’s just not causing you any other symptoms. I’m thinking you have a streptococcus infection somewhere in your body. It’s actually a very stinky bacteria. I know if you go to a doctor that they can help you but you have to go. Don’t be embarrassed, just do it bc once you get over the first time going to the doctors you’ll be fine. I myself have white coat syndrome, dumbest phobia in the world but it’s real. Get back into the world, I’d bet they know exactly what it is.

Starlingsintheloft · 17/07/2025 21:25

Is your bedding and any night attire made of synthetics? I will sweat badly in anything polyester for instance but don’t get this in natural fibres. Do you wash your bedding on hot wash frequently?

Livpool · 17/07/2025 21:06

Wipe pits with glycolic acid or put on an acne face wash containing benzoyl peroxide and leave on for 5 minutes before showers. Kills the bacteria that causes the smell. The acne stuff will bleach your towels though!

FlyingWithBabyLongHaul · 17/07/2025 20:57

Try using glycolic acid by The Ordinary, wiped on your armpits with cotton wool pleat.

ArcticBells · 17/07/2025 20:56

I don’t have any suggestions but just sending you Flowers as I feel for you

Flixon · 17/07/2025 20:53

Are you overweight ?

5128gap · 17/07/2025 19:20

Since going vegan I hardly sweat at all and when I do, it leaves no odour. I know that's probably a bit drastic though. But you could maybe try avoiding meat in hot weather and see if it helps.

SunnySideDeepDown · 17/07/2025 19:01

Are you overweight? You may find it will help to lose a bit of weight if so.

vincettenoir · 17/07/2025 18:57

@Toomanyweedsoutthere what is best for exfoliation? A scrub of a loofah type thing?

Toomanyweedsoutthere · 17/07/2025 17:56

I would exfoliate the shizz out of your armpits and switch to liquid roll on if you're currently using a cream stick type deodorant. I remember someone posting about this before and switching to liquid roll on helped her.