I stink

[soapysoapsoap1]

I’ve been really struggling with this and I don’t know what to do.

I used to shower once a day (a proper shower, not a quick wash) but I found that by the end of the day I smelled really badly, as if I haven’t showered. I’ve tried everything type of deodorant and antiperspirant, and I’ve tried every shower gel and scrub and wash and soap. I’ve also tried using no products at all. NOTHING makes a difference.

I usually shower twice a day because if I don’t, I smell so badly it’s noticeable and obviously I can’t have that. I’m not particularly sweaty (I do sweat but not an abnormally amount) I just smell. It’s a BO/musty smell and really horrible. if I shower before work I can actively smell myself later on.

ive even tried Mitchem, no difference

Am I just a total freak? This has been going on for a while and I’m too embarrassed to get a boyfriend because I can’t stay at someone’s house or hang out for too long without having a shower.

any help or advice would be really appreciated, thank you in advance x

How old are you?

Sometimes it can be hormonal. I'd speak to your gp about it they'll be able to recommend some options.

Hi don’t be embarrassed but have you seen a gp? As a bad odour could be linked to a medical condition? Also is it you or your clothes like is it on your clothes ?

is it you or your clothes that smell?

It's your clothes. They are either carrying old sweat or are non cotton so they stink in no time.

Wear a new cotton top and see if you smell different.

What temperature are you washing your clothes at? Are you putting on new clothes daily? How are you drying them?

Definitely not a freak! Speak to your GP as others said this could be hormonal and there’s lots of options out there - the NHS website actually recommends speaking to a GP as it could be linked to an underlying health condition www.nhs.uk/conditions/body-odour-bo/

also I know this won’t help but I bet that you are way more conscious of it than others are.

I’m in my early 20s. I always change my clothes everyday (usually change my top twice a day)

the smell is on me I think, rather than the clothes. when I’m getting changed I can smell it from my underarms and other parts of my body, but the smell is definitely on me if that makes sense rather than the clothes. I never rewear clothes, even hoodies, and I wash my jackets etc weekly x

What’s your diet like? Do you eat lots of fresh food like fruit and veg? Do you drink 2 litres of water a day?

i even got an entire new wardrobe, drawers, and shelves in my room in case something was making them smell, and I got a whole new set of clothes and underwear and pjs and I’ve still got the same problem.

I don’t actually know the details of how it’s washed (I still live at home and my parents do it!) but my parents are extremely fussy on clean and everything is always washed properly. Nobody else smells in the house and when I put on my clothes they smell lush, even after taking them off they smell okish (deodoranty and a bit musty but not terrible) but I definitely smell of BO x

At least you’ve noticed and are aware.

Whats your diet like, do you eat lots of spicy food? Fenugreek, asafoetida and spices like cumin always give me a bit of an underarm pong for a day or so. I can also smell it coming through my fingernails which I know is super weird. Garlic has the same effect albeit less.

What do you use to wash in the shower? If you're using shower gel then I fully recommend switching to bar soap (proper stuff, not Dove or similar). I read this tip on here a while back and it makes the world of difference.

But what temperature are you washing them at? How are you drying them?

Bison troll again. Yawn. was funny for about 2 minutes but you’re just boring now!

It's probably your diet my dad ate the same sandwiches every night on a 12 hour night shift for 20 plus years his feet stank I mean STANK VILE left his job no longer ate the sandwiches his feet stopped being as bad just normal sweaty feet not leave your feet outside stink

Bar of soap to wash with and Sure Maximum Protection , Mitchum is useless on me.

I eat a regular diet, hardly ever have fast food and just eat the food my parents cook for dinner (usually things like chicken, roast beef, pasta, just very typical meals with potatoes and 2 veg!)

my BMI is 20 and I’m sporty and active but the smelling isn’t from sweating playing sport- I’m talking about typical every days without sport where I’ll shower and go to work and by lunchtime I smell of BO.

i don’t drink (can count on one hand how many drinks I have in a year), I don’t smoke, and I’m otherwise fit.

the other thing I’ve noticed and it might be irrelevant but just in case it’s not is that my breath stinks. I brush my teeth, floss and use mouthwash but when I wake up in the morning my breath is awful. I’ve tried all sorts of toothpastes and mouthwashes but nothing makes a difference. My teeth are white and healthy but my breath is awful to the point other people notice it in the morning

I'd be thinking his feet stank because they were sweating in shoes for 12 hours on shift, rather than due to sandwiches?

?

I’ve tried bar soap unfortunately 😢 I’ve honestly tried every single deodorant, antiperspirant , liquid soap, bar soap, foam, gel, scrub, wash, and I’ve tried going natural without anything. Initially I smell great after washing but by lunchtime I can smell myself and it’s awful

If your clothes are synthetic, the BO smell just doesn't wash out. It stays imprinted on the fabric and as it warms with your body exudes the absorbed BO odour.

Do your parents use a biological powder at at least 40°? Could you wear a cotton t shirt under your clothes?

The BO illness thing is very rare and is more musty/fishy than BO.

Sorry, it was for the poster who commented and was talking about bisons. I tried to quote them but failed at it! There’s been lots of weird bison related threads recently from a troll and it’s very boring!

I had a colleague who had a v strong smell. Male, overweight. Definitely at GP-conversation level strong.

Saying that, I get smelly quickly too. I have to keep reapplying deodorants during the day and after a few wears the smell doesn't always wash off t-shirts/ sweaters either, so need to be replaced.

Mitchum did nothing for me, but Dove Maximum Protection seemed to work, ...at least for a while.

Hope you find something that works for you soon 🤞

I'd definitely go to your GP, OP.

"Your body odor can change due to hormones, the food you eat, infection, medications or underlying conditions like diabetes."