My bum crack smells!

[7000BT]

NC for obvious reasons!!

This is so disgusting and TMI so huge apologies in advance!

For years now my bum crack has had a horrible sort of fishy, putrid smell 😳

I had a baby a few years ago and got piles that I’ve never been able to fully get rid of but even when I had nearly got rid of them, the smell was still there. I think I must get quite sweaty as I get itchy and it’s when I’ve itched that I’ve noticed the smell 😳

I’ve just had a shower and scrubbed my anus and between my bum cheeks (only with aqueous cream as I can’t use scented stuff or I get thrush) stepped out of the shower. Ran my finger up the top of my bum crack and nope, smell still there 😳😳

This isn’t normal is it, I know I probably need to go to the GP but it’s so bloody embarrassing! I’d be mortified!

Has anyone else had this?

Haemorrhoid article fish smell

According to this article, haemorrhoids exude a clear discharge that smells of fish. It also makes it harder to clean your behind and makes small amounts of feces more likely to leak. It seems like this is the answer.

Get a bidet shower attachment for your toilet, I have one and it's the best thing ever. It feels so good to be completely clean at all times. I love it so much I bought I travel version for going away.

Other thoughts: are you overweight OP? Overweight people tend to smell and sweat more easily as the air doesn't get to the skin between folds.

Finally, it's not politically correct but bodily smells and sweating are related to diet, specifically animal protein. Diet is pretty easily to experiment with in your own time.

Such wonderful advice from everyone! Only thing is, I wouldn't know where to start
I often do wish that I had a bidet, as I've never felt totally fresh down below since having children, and I feel it would help.
I am going to buy some Canestan cream and alternate this with Sudocrem. Can the former be bought off the shelf?
I love the idea of medicated talc but have only ever seen baby talcum powder. I'll have a look for it in Boots.
Lastly, I always feel cleaner down below after a bath, rather than a shower. Is anyone else the same?

Well then please accept my apology. I'm quite an eccentric person and live on my own planet but assumed everyone washes frequently, usually once a day, with some form of actual soap.

Personally, as I said above, I try to stick to very basic soaps such as 'Sanex' or 'Simple' type with little or no scents or colours and additives, esp when it comes to private parts.

I do recommend sea salt baths.

Yes @JMSA , I often find that with baths, although sadly, in terms of the OP's problem, it's not foolproof. (Speaking from experience 🙁)

bidet shower shop

I swear I'm not shilling but don't hesitate to get yourself a bidet shower! You won't regret it, they're not even that expense at about £90. I honestly think everyone should have them. 90% of houses in Finland have them. They are ahead of us.

For the poster that asked, no im not overweight, 8.5 stone and size 6-8. Though my arse is probably the chunkiest thing about me 😬

@slore

Thank you so much for the link! My loo is a Saniflo (macerator) and I need to be very careful with what I use, as they're temperamental buggers!
Will look into it more - cheers.

Indeed I wonder what product we're supposed to buy!

@CavalierApproach Well it’s been a long day and I’m frustrated that such lack of basic knowledge is potentially putting more strain on an already broken NHS. The knee-jerk “see your GP” reaction on MN, when someone who doesn’t wash properly smells, is depressing. If it’s a true representation of the views of general society, then no wonder a state funded service is going to crumble in all our lifetimes.

Bums are smelly. Mine was fine when I was younger (even in my thong-wearing days) but is far sweatier (and fatter) now…

You poor thing OP, it sounds horrible. Could it be pilondial sinus?

Don't use talc, it can block pores which can lead to cysts. Check the area incase there's already a cyst there.

Use anti fungal cream.

Wash with dettol soap bar, dry thoroughly and put on some cuticura talc.

I would definitely get checked by a GP I think it could be an anal fistula just based on what you’ve described. I work in care and we have a female resident with one and it often smells fishy too.

Since I started using these products 10-15 years ago, I haven’t had BV, Thrush, or Cystitis - they help maintain a healthy ano-genital region (especially when taking antibiotics). They might help you too.

Best of luck - but do seek help if the condition persists; your health is important.

Optibac Probiotics for Women (daily)
https://www.optibacprobiotics.com/uk/product/probiotics-for-women

Multi-Gyn FloraPlus (for treatment and monthly maintenance after menstruation)
https://www.boots.com/multi-gyn-floraplus-5-x-5ml-10113673

Multi-Gyn ActiGel 50ml (for maintenance daily or every few days)
https://www.boots.com/multi-gyn-actigel-50ml-10137883

Multi-Gyn have a wide range of products that aren’t sold in UK since leaving EU but can be bought online from Irish & European pharmacies.

For applying the internal gels, use a proper applicator (Gynest applicators are available https://www.expresschemist.co.uk/gynest-vaginal-applicator.html and sterilise after use with Milton).

Anyone with basic medical knowledge knows that a vulva and vagina are not the same thing.

OP, you should first try using something like Simple bar soap on your bum crack. Shower daily. You don't need to scrub your bum crack. I just get a bit of soap on my fingers while I'm in the shower and use my hand. Wash straight off thoroughly with the showerhead. Before I've done that I wash my vulva the same way. Definitely only the outside, don't go anywhere internal with soap, it's not needed. The vagina is indeed self-cleaning. The vulva is not. You will have to clean it. Vaginal secretions, sweat, urine, all go over the vulva. It needs cleaning properly. Not scrubbing as the skin is delicate. And it doesn't need scented products, antibacterial or anything more than very plain unscented soap unless you have an infection that the GP needs to treat you for.

People get confused with cleaning advice for that whole area.

Make sure you always wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet.

Make sure your diet is good with plenty of fibre so that you can poo easily and comes out wholly IYSWIM rather than having the feeling that some poo has been retained just inside the anus.

I've taken to drying my arse crack with a hairdryer on cool so that it's thoroughly dry before I put any underwear on. I don't like using talc on my nether regions, I don't think it's recommended.

Our surgery you see a nurse initially who can prescribe or pass you onto the GP if necessary. It's less embarrassing.

MumblesParty - do you not think you’re being a bit judgemental?
Over Christmas, I recently noticed an awful smell when weeing. I shower twice a day. I ended up seeing a GP after about 10 days because it wasn’t going away. The result? Raging UTI.

Another not believing @MrsBellsBoots‘ claim to be a GP.

OP the best thing you can do is see your GP. There’s a lot of armchair diagnosing but frankly it is always best to get medical advice from someone with training.

hopefully everyone has made you see that this is hardly a super uncommon issue - and that there are solutions out there. You just need the right solution for you. Given you have multiple health issues to balance a GP will likely get you on the right track quicker than trying all the remedies that work for others.

Sorry, @MrsBellsBoots - I meant @MumblesParty’s claim to be a GP.

MumblesParty you’ve made me giggle 🤭 love your no nonsense straightforward approach. Particularly like the advice that soap is probably the first thing to try if you smell 🤣🤣

Fair comment about how many people are quick to visit the GP when actually common sense can be the answer.

I rarely need to see the GP, (luckily), however on the odd occasion I have needed to make an appointment it’s a a nightmare to get an appointment - probably because they’re all explaining how soap works to their patients 😁

It also makes me worry when I’m old and am more likely to need a GP whether an NHS will actually be in existence .

I wash my anus and labia with soap every day. No thrush (unless I take Amoxicillin) nor BV.

So, no, it's not a given that will happen. And no-one said anything about washing her vagina, that would be insane.

I think she should try soap and talc after drying for a few days and see how that goes before seeing the GP. She doesn't report any pain or soreness.

@MumblesParty

What about people who cannot use soap? Is our consultant dermatologist wrong? Should he defer to your vastly superior knowledge of skin conditions and insist that people cannot possibly be clean without soap?!

I’d retire love, you clearly aren’t up to it any more.

I expect you tell the depressed to have a spa day and pull themselves together too.

What is the point of a post like this?

Many doctors advise against shower gels and other claptrap, in favour of mild soap. OP admits she hasn't even tried basics to ameliorate her condition.

No one is stopping you expressing your opinion on the actual topic at hand. Why won't you allow others to do the same, and back off the personal insults.

Seems as though there's always one like you.