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Original poster

To be miffed after this phone call from DS school

406 replies

GypsyWanderer · 03/02/2022 09:57

So DS is 14. I just got a phone call from a woman at the high school (I don’t recognise her name and not even sure if she is a teacher or whatever) and she tells me several members of staff and students have noticed my DS smells! I am mortified obviously. He has regular showers and deodorant etc.

I guess I’m miffed because I don’t know what to do about it except tell him every day to have a shower and deodorant which I do anyway with all the kids. I’m just shocked that several students and teachers have noticed when me and DH haven’t. Also kind of wish they had sent me an email rather than an embarrassing phone call Blush

OP posts:
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5
KitchenTowel · 03/02/2022 12:12

@Interviewdisaster

Are you sure it was actually a staff member? Did they sound like an adult? Is there any chance it could be some sort of prank? Pretending to be a teacher and calling someone’s mum to tell them that they smell would have been considered the height of hilarity when I was at school Hmm
Oh good point. I'd call the school to confirm. If it's genuine then try using an antiperspirant rather than s deodorant. A deodorant just masks smells.
Toanewstart22 · 03/02/2022 12:16

Oh my goodness yes
It would have been a prank

shouldistop · 03/02/2022 12:17

I'd be suspicious that it's actually a prank from a class mate tbh.

RocketAndAFuckingMelon · 03/02/2022 12:17

Those who are recommending white vinegar, where do you get it from? I've seen it next to the oils and vinegars in Tesco but don't want to accidentally end up with the whole family smelling like a chippy for the next month...

ginslinger · 03/02/2022 12:17

I have nothing to add to the great advice you have had, but just wanted to congratulate you on the use of MIFFED rather than fumming

dementedpixie · 03/02/2022 12:18

@RocketAndAFuckingMelon

Those who are recommending white vinegar, where do you get it from? I've seen it next to the oils and vinegars in Tesco but don't want to accidentally end up with the whole family smelling like a chippy for the next month...
That's the vinegar you use I use fabulosa washing sanitiser for smelly gym clothes
bcc89 · 03/02/2022 12:18

You cannot smell your own dog's smell... and dogs do smell really strong sometimes! I suspect it could be that :(

Original poster
GypsyWanderer · 03/02/2022 12:19

This is all very enlightening stuff honestly. The dogs is one of my first thoughts now. I don’t mind if I smell of dog and I don’t mind if my house smells of dog (much anyway) because I’m one of those people that likes dogs better than most people and w e never have guests 😆 BUT I definitely don’t want the kids going out of the house smelling of them!

I had no idea that soap works better than shower gel! My boys go through a bottle of shower gel a week so would probably be more cost affective to use soap!

OP posts:
shouldistop · 03/02/2022 12:19

Just incase though I'd make sure his uniform is washed every day and add dettol laundry detergent. Make sure his coat is also washed occasionally.
He needs to wash with bar soap and use anti perspirant deodorant. If he has short hair then he may as well wash that daily too. If it's long every second day.
Check that his shoes don't smell.
It might sound overboard but I remember someone in my year being severely bullied because he smelled. It was awful for him.

ponkydonkey · 03/02/2022 12:21

@warmeduppizza

It will be the dogs. Growing up there were people who wouldn't come to my home or get in our car - and that was just with one labrador and a mum who spent half her time on her knees scrubbing the floors. Stinky buggers they are, to those that aren't nose blind to them.
We also have a stinky lab! I've banished her to kitchen only... but the car absolutely honks And the kids sneak her into the living room a sit with her and I can smell foxy musty smell on everything 😱
Original poster
GypsyWanderer · 03/02/2022 12:21

@ginslinger

I have nothing to add to the great advice you have had, but just wanted to congratulate you on the use of MIFFED rather than fumming
Thank you 😆 I know it’s best for them to tell me rather than him be picked on but it still was t a nice conversation to have. I was bullied a lot at school for my smell (amongst many other things) so I think it triggered a reaction!
OP posts:
Whatdramain2022 · 03/02/2022 12:22

I was working in a school and we had a teenager who stank. It wasn't a pear drop smell. He was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and never smelt again once on treatment. When PPs say don't bother the GP, if despite all the suggestions here, he still smells, get his blood sugar checked.

Original poster
GypsyWanderer · 03/02/2022 12:23

@shouldistop

Just incase though I'd make sure his uniform is washed every day and add dettol laundry detergent. Make sure his coat is also washed occasionally. He needs to wash with bar soap and use anti perspirant deodorant. If he has short hair then he may as well wash that daily too. If it's long every second day. Check that his shoes don't smell. It might sound overboard but I remember someone in my year being severely bullied because he smelled. It was awful for him.
Thank you. He wants to grow his hair and I said I don’t mind obviously but he has to keep it clean! Maybe I can bring that into it to get him an incentive to get in the shower more often.
OP posts:
MushMonster · 03/02/2022 12:24

Check his blazer, coat, jumper, PPE clothes, and all contents in his school bag.

Mine keeps old sandwiches there, old PPE used tshirts, socks, never puts blazer in the laundry, and so on and on!

Original poster
GypsyWanderer · 03/02/2022 12:24

@2catsandhappy

Can the older boy give them a talk. Not single one out. 'Brovs you need to use antiperspirant every morning after a shower.' That coupled with you doing a sniff test on clothes should clear things up.
That’s not a bad idea actually. DS16 is super clean, he could say something to him.
OP posts:
MaggieFS · 03/02/2022 12:24

Please don't make him use bar soap if he has eczema. The combo of all all the other options plus show gel or emollient should be fine.

LIZS · 03/02/2022 12:25

Halo is recommended as a wash for sweaty sports kit, might be worth trying.

MushMonster · 03/02/2022 12:27

Aw, sweet smells! It can be diabetes. Strong no BO, unexplained smells have 100% to do with health. It can be only bad breath (need to check teeths, intestinal issues) or they can be big issues. Worthy having a look into that. I did not think of that.

Fabuleuse · 03/02/2022 12:28

Sorry haven't read the thread but could it be sweat/antiperspirant buildup in his shirt, jumper or blazer? That sometimes isn't removed by normal machine washing (even at 40) and can smell. I've had to soak the armpit area of certain clothes, particularly DH's shirts, in hot water and Vanish/Oxy powder to get rid of it. This stuff is good for preventing it becoming an issue if you spray it regularly in the armpit area of the clothes before washing them. www.dr-beckmann.co.uk/products/stain-devils-antiperspirant-and-sweat-marks/

Crimesean · 03/02/2022 12:29

If you're using non-biological washing powder (due to eczema) it might be that it's not getting rid of the sweat smell properly. I found that happened with DH's shirts and had to switch back to bio, plus occasional hot washes.

Blazers do get a bit stinky if you aren't washing them regularly - you can turn them inside out, put them in a mesh bag, and wash on a cold delicates cycle. You'll need to pre-treat with vinegar and use biological washing powder though, as non-bio won't get the sweat smell out on a cold wash.

MaudieandMe · 03/02/2022 12:31

@GypsyWanderer

Thanks for all your replies. I guess I was embarrassed rather than miffed because nobody wants to think their kids leave the house smelling!

I’m always close to him and haven’t noticed any smell. He has really bad eczema so his hygiene is usually the top priority because of skin infections etc. but he takes his blazer off at home so that’s an idea. It doesn’t get washed as often because it’s dry clean only but I will definitely check it out when home.

I just think it’s weird she said several students and teachers, as if they’re all talking about it. It’s not a pleasant thought.

Your final sentence makes me think this is a nasty prank and not genuine at all.

If a teacher or Pastoral support worker had rung you to discuss your son’s odour issues, they surely wouldn’t have mentioned it having been discussed by other children and teachers. It’s just smacks of being incredibly unprofessional.

RampantIvy · 03/02/2022 12:31

It isn't the enzymes that irritate the skin in biological powder, but the perfume. DD's eczema disappeared when I started using Ariel. I also started washing towels and bedding at 60 degrees, which also helped.

whiteworldgettingwhiter · 03/02/2022 12:33

Blazers that are dry-clean only are the work of the devil. Machine-washable ones are much better.

You've had some great advice here, op, I hope it works. And I hope your ds's excema improves soon, too, bless him.

thickthighs73 · 03/02/2022 12:34

Febreeze ! I used to give my sons blazer a squirt with this between washes

SockFluffInTheBath · 03/02/2022 12:35

Every holiday I wash DCs blazers on the 15 minute cycle 600rpm spin and hang to dry. DD is always lying with the dog in his bed so she’d pong if everything wasn’t washed all the time Grin

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