Highly shameful personal problem, help needed.

[PurpleToeNail]

About 10yrs ago I developed an extremely pungent armpit - only one side. I've only ever used deodorants sparingly through life previously because I never really needed it. Now, even moments after I've stepped out of the shower the smell is there. Over the weekend, my friend pulled her nose up at the 'extremely stinky' bloke at the next table but I knew it was my armpit. I do use the best deodorants I can find now but still the smell seeps through. I'd like to go back to how I was before. Has anyone else had this problem & found a solution for it? The doctor isn't interested.

@PurpleToeNail
I do have type 3c diabetes.

I am pretty sweaty. It’s an embarrassing problem. I’d never wear a grey top for example because I know I’d get sweat patches 😬
I found Mitchum useless to be honest. It claims you’ll be sweat free for 48 hours, it stopped working after two for me. I found Perspirex really effective - you apply it at night and it stops you sweating. It’s quite strong, you should only apply it where your hair grows, otherwise it makes the skin sore but it works. The idea is you use it nightly til it’s under control then try cutting it down to a couple of times a week. Now mine is under control I use Sure Maximum protection antiperspirant which works well and has a nice scent.

You could look into Botox but you may find most places won’t do armpits without a medical certification (most places are only trained to do faces).

I also recommend PitRok, you can get in in boots. Also have you tried using actual proper bar soap (not dove)? Shower gel doesn't work on smelly pits for some people.

I feel for you op 💐 I've had similar problems, then I read on mn people raving about bar soap and scrubbing pits with a flannel. Honestly what a game changer it really works. I go in the shower or bath and use a fresh flannel each time. I wash with water then on a wet flannel rub the bar soap on then scrub my pits. I then rinse with water and repeat. I also use bubble bath/shower gel.

Good luck op

Rub some antibacterial lotion into the skin. It kills the bacteria which are responsible for the smell. Dettol or a supermarket own brand are fine. Get the one suitable for personal care, not disinfectant, which is for household use.

I found this article which may be relevant and why you only have it one side -

www.asiaone.com/lifestyle/ask-doctor-my-bo-worse-after-laser-hair-removal-why

drarmpit.com/question/underarm-smell-after-laser-hair-removal/

You might just be unlucky -

But one dermatologist, Dr. Natasha Sandy, MD, had heard of increased body odor as a side effect and explained it to me: "The skin at the axilla contains bacteria (good and bad), and there is a delicate balance of microbes. One of the purposes of axilla (under arm) hair is to keep the area dry from sweat and maintain normal flora. Colonization by odor-producing bacteria is thereby transferred away from the skin to the hairs. With the removal of hairs it is possible that these bacteria now remain present on the skin and the skin flora is changed leading to increased body odor." She did point out, however, that it is rare.

I use Nuud when I start to get a bit whiffy, but then keep using my normal deodorant. Over the years I have had more stinky or less stinky armpits and have tried most deodorants.

This actually takes the smell away and then if I want to use an antiperspirant on top, still good.
And it doesn't sting at all.

nuudcare.co.uk/pages/i-want-nuud

Definitely try proper bar soap, Friendly soap is a good one that's reasonably priced. I've been much less stinky just from doing this. I also use one of those Pit Rok type crystal deodorants, which help to keep the bacteria down. If this has been going on a while it could be that your clothes retain the smell - it can 'reactivate' when you wear them again, even after they've been washed and they smell clean. Fabric conditioner can help bacteria cling onto clothes, so you could try swapping it for white vinegar - it sounds crazy, but the acid smell doesn't linger after washing. Maybe also look up various methods of washing bad smells out of clothes - I find soaking in hot water with soda crystals added before washing can help, as can hanging outside on a sunny day.

It’s too strong for me, but as a PP linked, Sure Maximum Protection is brilliant. They do an antibacterial version too. It’s usually around £5 but they’re always on offer. It’s supposed to last a few days, but DH uses it fresh daily and absolutely never smells.

I know of someone who had sweat glands surgically removed from armpits to solve excess sweating problem!

All good advice upthread! I'll just add that I like a spray of coloidal silver spray if I'm feeling especially whiffy! I think it helps.

Try not to be too embarrassed, human bodies are designed to smell at the end of the day

Dr Mercola recommends exposing armpits to sunshine to help with BO. Might be worth a try if we ever get a nice hot sunny day.

www.newscientist.com/article/2120923-stinky-armpits-bacteria-from-a-less-smelly-person-can-fix-them/
Interesting article, hope it comes out, but basically you can catch it off other people!

But it is fixable.

Omg I never knew that smell could be a consequence of lasering! That puts it in a new light for me. Lasering transformed my life.

Is it worth exfoliating or even shaving to remove the dead skin and bacteria build up? I have one sweaty armpit too. I find it smells less when I shave every day

Also bicarb in your wash to remove the smell

Op

Can I ask how lasering your armpits transformed your life?

Oh amd driclor is what you need but be warned you need to follow the instructions or you will be sore

@FiddleMyFig

Not sure if you can buy this in the Uk but this is what I use. I highly recommend it My right armpit is very stinky without it.

Yes, Sure is fantastic and use a bar of soap in the shower NOT shower gel.

I had a mammogram last week and was seriously impressed with just how much I stank not using Sure not envy!

I get one smelly armpit occasionally. I put a drop of teatree oil (on a cotton bud) on after my shower for a few days and it clears it up.

** sorry I thought that pic was of Sure not Rexona, looks exactly the same.

Have you treated it with an antifungal spray or cream? I got a slight fungal infection in my arm pit due to a natural type deodorant I was using. I sprayed it with some fungal spray stuff and all sorted. It didn't smell though... I would guess it is either some sort of under the skin infection or abscess or fungal.

I actually rely on my armpit hair to help prevent my sweat smelling acrid.

When my skin is on skin, ie when my arms are down by my sides, under my breasts etc, I sweat more, and more acridly.

I use proper soap (not moisturising ones) in the shower, mitchum roll on (the 'unscented' one), and under my breasts I fold some washable wipes to stop the skin sticking to skin.

It's not foolproof but it really helps.

You could try washable wipes in your armpits but it'll restrict what you wear.