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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
Hutchismo · 09/05/2019 11:41

Are you a vet?

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!

SushiTime · 09/05/2019 12:06

Can I see a pic of your pissed smellbow?

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?

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.

Innersmellbow · 09/05/2019 12:20

I'm a smellbower.

In Tescos. Blush

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:
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 12:25

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:
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.

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.

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)

heyd · 09/05/2019 12:48

😂😂 I have enjoyed this thread OP.

Sorry about the hives though .

Marlboroandmalbec34 · 09/05/2019 12:49

Pleased to report I have great smelling elbows. Sorry! (Not sorry) 😂

funnelfanjo · 09/05/2019 12:54

You want one of the creams for athletes foot, not canesten. Lamisil is the best imho.

Orlandointhewilderness · 09/05/2019 12:56

God I can't believe I've just sniffed my elbows. Both lurvley!!

itscallednickingbentcoppers · 09/05/2019 12:59

Maybe you're one of those people who can smell diseases like that woman who can smell Parkinson's.

LoudBatPerson · 09/05/2019 13:03

Have you been wearing the same coat a lot recently?

Might be worth turning the sleeve inside out and seeing if there is a smelly patch on there or any sign of mould or similar?

redwitch5 · 09/05/2019 13:05

Just checked my elbows, all clean no fleas Grin Right serious now. If you won't get DH to check your elbows then maybe a nurse at your doctors? Or the chemist/pharmacist? It won't be the oddest or grossest thing they've done, and they have a better chance at diagnoses. I hope I spelled everything right.

Gravelface · 09/05/2019 13:08

I hope this is nothing serious obviously but I am also cracking up at the "Sure it's not your breath?" response

SmellMySmellbow · 09/05/2019 13:09

Please go to the pharmacist and ask them to smell your smellbow. Then report back Grin

QueenBlueberries · 09/05/2019 13:09

A fungal infection can be invisible - just try an over the counter anti fungal cream, wash with maybe tea tree soap, apply cream as per instruction. wear short sleeves top for a few days.

Also, funny question, have you started taking any new medications recently? they can affect how your body smells... or if you are pregnant, or are going through menopause. Any major hormonal change really.

GimmeChocolateNow · 09/05/2019 13:09

Crown dependency welbows not smelbows, sorry! 🤞🏻🤥💪🏻 👍🏻

GimmeChocolateNow · 09/05/2019 13:10

On a sadly serious nose, it couldn't be from you scar, could it?

PorpentinaScamander · 09/05/2019 13:11

I've just sniffed my elbows. No smells to report. Then I remembered I have no sense of smell so they could honk and I wouldn't know!!! I'll have to ask the DC to sniff them for me later.