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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:
Thread gallery
6
BigChocFrenzy · 08/05/2019 22:08

OP:
Did you have a bet that you'd get a load of women around the country to smell their elbows ?

Cos if so, you've won 😂

Schnitzelvonkrumb · 08/05/2019 22:09

I have smelled my elbows....but props to the pp who have smelled their belly button!

Original poster
samsamsamsamsamsam · 08/05/2019 22:10

One of mine smells lovely.

I absolutely can't smell the back of my knees! I do yoga, but I'm not THAT flexible.

I'll try tea tree oil. I have some of that.

'just wash' jeeeesus I've already explained that I'm not a soap dodger, that's why the stinkin' smellbow is so weird!

OP posts:
JeremyCorbynsCoat · 08/05/2019 22:10

My elbows just smell like skin

emphasisofmatter · 08/05/2019 22:11

Has you DH not noticed you sniffing your smellbow and comparing whiffs to your other one? Can you straighten your arm outwards and see if he notices a waft?!

LittleRedSocks · 08/05/2019 22:14

Without seeing it, this sounds like a fungal infection. Nothing to do with you being unclean, it’s just a place that can be warmer than many other areas on your body, particularly if you don’t fully dry after showers, have lots of moisturiser etc. Clean it twice a day with cotton pads and saline (or cooled boiled water) and pat - don’t rub - dry. Expose it to air as much as possible too. Then see if you pharmacist can give you a mild antifungal (like Clomitrazole). Give it 7-10 days and if no improvement, book in with your GP. Is there any mild rash/redness?

Gardai · 08/05/2019 22:15

Just a thought OP - do you keep washing the elbow with the same facecloth or soap - they should be the smelly ones ?

I smell of sweet fragrant biscuits too (sorry)

AudacityOfHope · 08/05/2019 22:15

Do you think we can make Smellbow the OED's new word for 2019??? Grin

mumwon · 08/05/2019 22:20

how do you smell your elbow (not doing it - just not double jointed enough to even attempt it)

EffYouSeeKaye · 08/05/2019 22:22

Can you tie a little tree in there? Maybe in green apple or a nice pine?

StCharlotte · 08/05/2019 22:23

gilchrist168

Are you sure that you can tell your arse from your elbow?

Brilliant!

MrsDilligaf · 08/05/2019 22:23

Of all the things I expected to be doing in bed tonight, sniffing DH's elbows was not one of them!!

EmployeeOfTheMonth2019 · 08/05/2019 22:26

Sorry, OP. I have no idea.

But I'm another one who has sniffed both my elbows and can report they smell nice.

Sorry I know that's not helpful. ..

UterusUterusGhali · 08/05/2019 22:27

Mine smell surprisingly lovely too considering I haven't showered tonight.
My underboob smells like off milk in the summer tho :(

If it continues I'd see the GP/practice nurse for a swab.

Islands81 · 08/05/2019 22:29

Could you not dangle a Magic Tree around said smellbow? Problem solved!

ZippyBungleandGeorge · 08/05/2019 22:34

I just left the room to smell my elbows so DH doesn't think I'm a weirdo....

stayathomegardener · 08/05/2019 22:35

Mine smell of biscotti biscuits. #nothelpful

Likethebattle · 08/05/2019 22:37

@3luckystars

Original poster
samsamsamsamsamsam · 08/05/2019 22:39

I have a solution.

I don't have any antifungal or hydrogen peroxide and I can't last any longer (I keep sniffing it) so I have just taken some
Bombay Sapphire and doused on a makeup remover pad and rubbed it all over.

I no longer smell like rotten death milk.

I smell like gin!

OP posts:
Itwontrainallthetime · 08/05/2019 22:40

Maybe using some deodorant on it will help. Depending on what type of deodorant you have if it's a roll on etc let it dry and see if that helps any.

Can you smell it when you are sat down, stood up, or do you just get a whiff every now and then.

I was thinking maybe you have a infected pore or something but it would be sore I would think.

RubaDubMum89 · 08/05/2019 22:41

This is so strange! I also gave both of mine a sniff... One smells of soap and the other, strangely, of nothing?

I'm now slightly paranoid that I might wake up with a smellbow in the morning. Maybe this is how it starts? All the good smell is sucked out before the dreaded smellbow sets in?

RevealTheLegend · 08/05/2019 22:42

Just re-christen it Smellbow and learn to love it

I’ve woken the cat up by laughing so much I had a coughing fit. I can’t find my inhaler. If I get an asthma attack, the smellbow will have claimed it’s first victim. Be very afraid.

Tolleshunt · 08/05/2019 22:44

You now need to run a lemon on it, for the full g&t experience.

MyGastIsFlabbered · 08/05/2019 22:44

I've just got out if the bath so my elbows smell lovely. Sorry. Will brave them tomorrow morning to see if there's been any change overnight.

gilchrist168 · 08/05/2019 22:48

Overcome with guilt now, in case you have a dreaded lurgy sam .

However, clicking "Refresh the display" has taken on a whole new meaning for me.