Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
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:
Thread gallery
6
Ruru8thestars · 09/05/2019 13:18

Have you got a black light?

Medicaltextbook · 09/05/2019 13:21

Just had a sniff and both elbows smell the same. Not sure what they should smell like.
OP - talk to the pharmacist- some have little side rooms.

BagofTeeth · 09/05/2019 13:22

bigKite - I need to dilute it a ridiculous amount and only just quickly touch my skin with it. Neat or with the "normal" dilution is too strong for my skin somehow. I do have weirdly sensitive skin and have developed more and more allergies as I've got older as well though, it's around 20 years since I burnt my skin with it so I'm scared to go near it at all now. I know so many people who can use it neat without any issues so it's just my (bad) luck it seems.

FunnyHappyGirl · 09/05/2019 13:24

I'm currently sitting in my office desperately wanting to sniff my elbows, but fear that the minute I try someone will wander in and I'll look like a total fruit loop.

I think I may have to go to the loo and have a sniff...

I hope for your sake OP that you can resolve it soon, but for the good of all MN it would be highly amusing if you could keep it going for a while longer.

Thankfully no-one walked in to my office just as I read "Smellbow". Genius!

bigKiteFlying · 09/05/2019 13:35

Neat or with the "normal" dilution is too strong for my skin somehow. I do have weirdly sensitive skin and have developed more and more allergies as I've got older as well though

That makes sense - I can use it neat with no issues and wondered if I was missing something.

There are other things my skin react to - I have be careful with face moisturizers and hair dyes every patch test I’ve done so far has left a small burn mark. I wasn't aware TCP was a substance commonly causing issues for people.

DishingOutDone · 09/05/2019 14:02

Could you not pop into a pharmacies and see if they can smell it and suggest something?

Can you imagine asking ....!!

bigKiteFlying · 09/05/2019 14:35

Can you imagine asking ....!!
I have a strange smell emanating from I think a patch of skin in my elbow crease - it's really odd can you suggest anything for it?

I've had to answer questions about my sex life to get morning after pill, ask them to look at odd rashes on DC and me and stood by DDad answering questions about his bowels – I really don’t get why this would be too embarrassing to contemplate doing especially as many have option of side rooms these days.

RavenLG · 09/05/2019 14:41

I reeeeeeaallllly want to smell my elbow but I’m sat on a bus

Original poster
samsamsamsamsamsam · 09/05/2019 14:42

I have checked my coat' - no smell in the crease although that was a good call.

Probably not my scar - its 20 years old and pale/unirritated.

I cant stop sniffing it now! I'm conscious of my rank elbow.

OP posts:
Innersmellbow · 09/05/2019 14:49

Bleach is a great anti-fungal.

Kills 99% and all that.

Fabulous for ringworm.

Innersmellbow · 09/05/2019 14:50

Not that I'm suggesting you have ringworm samsam

onalongsabbatical · 09/05/2019 15:22

Smellbow is the new snapped and farted! Got Innersmellbow above and I've just seen SmellMySmellBow on another thread. Grin

onalongsabbatical · 09/05/2019 15:25

How about SmarseFromSmellbow as a name? Anyone? Personally, I can't be smarsed to namechange.

CoraPirbright · 09/05/2019 15:39

How about trying a little daktarin on the area....if people reckon its fungal?

SecretWitch · 09/05/2019 17:22

Did you know if you can kiss your elbow, you are supposed to be of the fairies?

gilchrist168 · 09/05/2019 17:43

In an attempt to educate myself more thoroughly on all things Smellbow (purely out of scientific interest), I borrowed the youngster's laptop.

Your current Bing SafeSearch setting filters out results that might return adult content. To view those results as well, change your SafeSearch setting. Hmm

Frantically deleting my search history for fear of Smellbowgate.

HelmutFrontbut · 09/05/2019 18:31

Is it definitely your elbow that smells? Just checking you know your arse from your elbow OP? Grin

Original poster
samsamsamsamsamsam · 09/05/2019 18:57

Update: Got DD to sniff it. She pulled a 'gagging' face. So it's not just me.

I do know my arse from my elbow and it is most definitely my elbow only.

It's not my nose, my breath or my bum.

It's smelling through the tcp now. So I'll get canesten in a min on way home.

OP posts:
MrsMozartMkII · 09/05/2019 19:20

If it's smelling that bad I'd be getting it to a chemist or doc soonest.

TheInvestigator · 09/05/2019 19:22

Have you made a doctor's appointment? Skin doesn't just stink like that. And you've been quote clear in saying that there is no redness or irritation or rash or any obvious sign of anything so it's not fungal or bacterial on the surface. A cream isn't going to do anything. It's under the skin.

LordPickle · 09/05/2019 19:32

This thread is fascinating. I've never heard of smellbow but I'm quite interested to know the outcome. I hope you find a cure OP.

Figure8 · 09/05/2019 21:00

Poor Smellbow.

I think we'll miss it when it's gone.
Sad

LucyAutumn · 09/05/2019 21:25

How's the smellbow going OP? Did you manage to pick up some canesten?

Hohofortherobbers · 09/05/2019 21:33

If it is your sweat then try a good strong anti perspirant, like mitchum. I only have one armpit that smells, the right one, am I wierd? My left armpit literally cannot develop bo

juliej00ls · 09/05/2019 21:41

Go to the doctors