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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask how I can smell better?

127 replies

Wdissb · 05/12/2021 19:07

This is really embarrassing but recently I've noticed I've started to smell bad. I used to not need to shower everyday but now I'm aware of an odour part way through the day even after a shower. It's not normal BO - I use a good quality antiperspirant and the smell doesnt seem to come from my armpits.
I cant really work out exactly where the smell comes from, although it is more noticeable when I'm wearing a skirt or dress with tights and does seem worse if I'm hot. No one has commented on it but I'm so aware of it.

Can anyone suggest what I can do to combat it? I shower every morning and as well as antiperspirant I use a body spray/perfume.

OP posts:
CouldBeReady · 05/12/2021 19:09

I find I'm sweet smelling for longer if I use soap rather than shower gel.

Bigfathairyones · 05/12/2021 19:10

Are your clothes in an old wardrobe? Do they smell when you put them on?

Do you change your clothes really often, as opposed to just wash your body daily?

Last one (unlikely, but who knows), do you have an ear infection? I had a hideous one and I only realised it when turning my head in a certain direction. V weird and only happened once.

NynaeveSedai · 05/12/2021 19:11

Use panty liners and swap them at least once during the day. Avoid tights and skirts. Tights make you sweat and skirts let any smell circulate more easily.

NynaeveSedai · 05/12/2021 19:11

Oh and obviously wash clothes after one wear and shower every morning

SarahJeffers341 · 05/12/2021 19:11

If you can smell it when you’re wearing a skirt maybe it’s something to do with your genital region and you need to be checked for an STI or something? Bacterial vaginosis can cause this.

Bigfathairyones · 05/12/2021 19:12

Ah, just seen your update...I would use very, very gentle stuff on your ladyparts, as it could be a ph balance thing.

Bigfathairyones · 05/12/2021 19:12

...and I wouldn't use pant liners personally, for the 'letting it breathe' reason.

thenightsky · 05/12/2021 19:14

How old are you? I noticed this as a thing when I was peri menopausal. I combat it by using proper bar soap instead of shower gel and using a deodorant for sensitive skin over my chest, under boobs and groin.

Just10moreminutesplease · 05/12/2021 19:15

Based on it being worse in skirts and in tights, I wonder if it could be a yeast infection or something?

Maybe try sticking to loose cotton knickers and stay away from tights for the time being. A trip to the doctors wouldn’t be a bad idea either.

Don’t be embarrassed OP, it’s likely you are smelling yourself more than anyone else would Flowers.

FenceSplinters · 05/12/2021 19:15

Definitely use soap rather than shower gel. Use biological washing powered rather than non bio.

mrselizabethdarcy · 05/12/2021 19:17

Not being rude but do you wash /change your bra regularly...I could smell something on me.on holiday once...tracked it down to a sweaty bra Blush

ShirleyPhallus · 05/12/2021 19:17

@NynaeveSedai

Use panty liners and swap them at least once during the day. Avoid tights and skirts. Tights make you sweat and skirts let any smell circulate more easily.
If tights made you sweat and skirts help you air then why would you wear a panty liner which is partly plastic?
Ozanj · 05/12/2021 19:17

Are you sure it isn’t from the tights or shoes you wear with the skirt? Tights need to be replaced regularly because they can get mouldy. Shoes too.

SmellyOldOwls · 05/12/2021 19:17

Fungal infections always smell bad shortly after showering and you can get them anywhere, under your c section pouch even if you have one.

Hobnobsandbroomstick · 05/12/2021 19:18

It's probably your clothes rather than your body that smells. Fresh swear doesn't smell immediately, it's the bacteria that starts to smell whiffy over time. Potentially your clothes have still got a bit of sweat on them which gets 'activated' when you warm up throughout the day. This happens with my gym stuff sometimes, even after being washed. Try soaking them overnight in a bucket (or bath) with water and a bit of vinegar, and then washing them as normal the next day.

Original poster
Wdissb · 05/12/2021 19:18

Thanks for the comments so far - I should have put in my OP that I wear clean clothes everyday and they always smell fresh when I put them on.
I dont think it's coming from my genital region as such, more just the general torso area. I can definitely try panty liners tho. I would be very upset not to be able to wear skirts anymore Xmas Sad
To the PP who asked about an ear infection - I have had one recently but its all cleared up now.

OP posts:
Spidey66 · 05/12/2021 19:18

Are you sure you haven’t left a tampon in? I’ve done it once and it caused a terrible smell.

MarleneDietrichsSmile · 05/12/2021 19:19

Wash with soap, not shower gel

Wash clothes with detergent and on 40C

Don’t wear polyester underwear

Wash sheets and towels at 60C every week

Original poster
Wdissb · 05/12/2021 19:20

OK forget the pantyliners!

OP posts:
DrFoxtrot · 05/12/2021 19:21

Is your belly button smelly? Maybe put a finger in to check?

DurhamDurham · 05/12/2021 19:21

Since I turned 50 last year I noticed that I sweated easily and more often, I showered daily and I used sanex deodorant which had always worked. I did a search on Mumsnet to find posts about the most effective deodorant and Mitchum was mentioned several times.
Bought some Mitchum roll on and spray deodorants and they've been great. No more sweat patches, no more being self conscious that I might smell. It's brilliant stuff, I'd highly recommend it.

Original poster
Wdissb · 05/12/2021 19:22

@thenightsky

How old are you? I noticed this as a thing when I was peri menopausal. I combat it by using proper bar soap instead of shower gel and using a deodorant for sensitive skin over my chest, under boobs and groin.
I have had a few potential peri menopause things recently, I didnt know this could be related though.

I will defintiely try using soap rather than shower gel as this wasn't something I would have considered.

OP posts:
Bettybantz · 05/12/2021 19:23

Do you have big boobs? Maybe try using a roll on deodorant between them if they are prone to getting sweaty.

ShirleyPhallus · 05/12/2021 19:23

@DrFoxtrot

Is your belly button smelly? Maybe put a finger in to check?
Grin god bless mumsnet
NynaeveSedai · 05/12/2021 19:23

If tights made you sweat and skirts help you air then why would you wear a panty liner which is partly plastic?

Panty liners will collect any discharge that can smell after a few hours. 10 hours in a pair of knickers will often result in smelly knickers whether they are cotton or otherwise. The reason she smells worse in tights and skirts is that there is more air flow around the genitals so the smell is easier to detect.