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Original poster

Why does DH suddenly smell?

209 replies

PinkMonday · 31/05/2023 08:32

Help! My DH stinks but I don't know why and I'm desperate for suggestions. He has a bath every evening, cleans his teeth, flosses, clean clothes but he still smells. I change our bedsheets once a week.

It's a really weird smell. Kind of like baby drool. I'm not pregnant so it's not like I am suddenly sensitive to smells.

It's only started happening in the last 2 weeks I think. He said he can even smell it on himself too.

I even started washing his back to make sure he's 100% clean but I notice by the morning he stinks again!

OP posts:
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TheYearOfSmallThings · 31/05/2023 09:11

What prompted him to get the health MOT for which everything came back clear?

peacelemon · 31/05/2023 09:11

NOTANUM · 31/05/2023 09:09

Is all the family laundry being washed together? A friend’s DH complained he was going to work smelling faintly of baby sick due to washing white shirts with babygrows, muslins etc.

Ah yes good shout

ichifanny · 31/05/2023 09:14

Does he have dandruff that can smell terrible

user1492757084 · 31/05/2023 09:14

Could both baby and husband have a fungal infection?

Original poster
PinkMonday · 31/05/2023 09:15

MrsPelligrinoPetrichor · 31/05/2023 08:48

Ditch the Dove soap and use a bar of proper soap ,can make all the difference.

Yes definitely will try a different soap to see if he helps.

OP posts:
peacelemon · 31/05/2023 09:15

Have you tried sniffing him all over to work out where exactly it is coming from?

PlinkPlonkFizz · 31/05/2023 09:16

Could be Nonenal Odour - it can start 40+
He might need lots more antioxidants - berries.

Original poster
PinkMonday · 31/05/2023 09:17

allthewoes · 31/05/2023 09:06

How old is he? I noticed my husband started to smell when he was mid forties and apparently it's a thing. It comes from the oils at the back of their neck. This is an article about it - middle aged oily odour.

www.mandom.co.jp/en/pickup/topics02.html

That's really interesting to know, thank you for the link. I will have a read of that this morning.

OP posts:
Original poster
PinkMonday · 31/05/2023 09:18

HeidiUpTheMountain · 31/05/2023 09:09

Dove soap isn’t soap! Get a plain bar of some neutral soap - the cheap ones have the least in them. Morrisons do an unscented one in a four pack for less than a pound. I’d try that first, before going back to the doctor.

We'll definitely try this before going to the doctors. Fingers crossed the soap is the culprit!

OP posts:
Original poster
PinkMonday · 31/05/2023 09:19

stairgates · 31/05/2023 09:09

Is he a drinker?

Nope, drinks about 2 beers a year!

OP posts:
allthewoes · 31/05/2023 09:20

peacelemon · 31/05/2023 09:15

Have you tried sniffing him all over to work out where exactly it is coming from?

I did this with mine (who showers and washes hair daily) and it was coming from his head/back of neck. He's swapped to a medicated shampoo that's improved it but can still smell it sometimes. I've also noticed the same smell on my dad who also showers every day! Deffo a middle aged man thing.

CornishGem1975 · 31/05/2023 09:20

maranella · 31/05/2023 08:34

Has he had any noticeable health changes OP or are you worried that he may have a health issue? Diabetes, for instance, can change how a person smells.

I was going to say this. It's been often reported that spouses can 'smell' something when their partner is unwell.

Original poster
PinkMonday · 31/05/2023 09:21

NOTANUM · 31/05/2023 09:09

Is all the family laundry being washed together? A friend’s DH complained he was going to work smelling faintly of baby sick due to washing white shirts with babygrows, muslins etc.

Yes everything is being washed together but it's all coming out clean smelling so I'm not sure it can be this.

OP posts:
Original poster
PinkMonday · 31/05/2023 09:22

allthewoes · 31/05/2023 09:20

I did this with mine (who showers and washes hair daily) and it was coming from his head/back of neck. He's swapped to a medicated shampoo that's improved it but can still smell it sometimes. I've also noticed the same smell on my dad who also showers every day! Deffo a middle aged man thing.

Show quote history

Yeah maybe it's just a middle aged man thing, it's interesting to know that others have noticed similar too. That's why I love mumsnet!

OP posts:
Littlewhitecat · 31/05/2023 09:22

Have you had covid OP? My DH had a very expensive bottle of aftershave and my DS had a very cheap bottle of Lynx which since having COVID both smell like baby sick (or Hersey chocolate) to me. I had covid over 20 months ago and this hasn't improved. I now have to sniff any after-shave or deodorant before being purchased.

NewUserName2023 · 31/05/2023 09:22

The onset of Diabetes or Parkinsons can change body odour.

Original poster
PinkMonday · 31/05/2023 09:23

PlinkPlonkFizz · 31/05/2023 09:16

Could be Nonenal Odour - it can start 40+
He might need lots more antioxidants - berries.

Good tip, I will give him some more berries in his lunch!

OP posts:
Darkmoad · 31/05/2023 09:24

TomatoSandwiches · 31/05/2023 09:06

I've had 3 babies and I have absolutely no clue what baby drool supposedly smells like 🤷‍♀️ 😂

Glad you posted this, thought it was just me 😅🙈.

Sweetpeasaremadeforbees · 31/05/2023 09:25

Me neither!

MachinesOfGod · 31/05/2023 09:26

Try the Dettol antibacterial laundry additive in your laundry in case his clothes have some ingrained old sweat/mustiness that just isn’t getting washed out fully.

Lairymary · 31/05/2023 09:26

My OH started to smell differently (sort of unclean/musty, despite bathing/showering daily) literally as soon as he turned 40. The smell is just like how my DF smells 😬

lovemelongtime · 31/05/2023 09:28

Get as GP appt now.
If you've not changed anything in diet or soaps then it's a medical issue not a domestic issue.
Get him to sort an appointment as soon as, not messing round with bars of soap.
You sound really sensible and it's not being caused by anything at home so don't waste time.

usernamenumber166373838 · 31/05/2023 09:28

It's the heat mixed up with bacteria, very likely. His skin is probably warmer with the warm weather and then smells. Make a test: rub alcohol gel on a bit that usually smells, like neck and check later, if the smell isn't there or isn't as strong then you know it's bacteria on the skin (just normal bacteria, he isn't ill or anything). Then the simple solution is using an antibacterial soap at shower time

Mummaluma · 31/05/2023 09:33

TheYearOfSmallThings · 31/05/2023 09:11

What prompted him to get the health MOT for which everything came back clear?

The NHS now offer a health MOT to anyone who has just turned 40.

oliveandwell · 31/05/2023 09:34

Candida? That smells like old spit.

Baby drool doesn't really smell of anything, but if you've ever had a baby chew a comforter - after a few days that of use that smell is what it smells like.