To be miserable about how badly i smell?

[fireworksinthesky3]

Hey

name changed but longtime poster

really hoping this post resonates with someone and I can get some advice or help 🤞

bit of an embarrassing problem but I smell really badly and don’t know what to do. I’ve tried everything I can possibly think of to fix it and it’s not helped. I’ve heard of things like fish odour syndrome but I don’t think it’s that because I don’t smell of fish- I just smell really musty/BO. It’s genuinely making me so depressed- I’m only 26 and I’m so embarrassed and miserable about it. I’ll post below everything I’ve tried

• I shower every single day without fail, I tried showering twice a day but it made no difference whatsoever. At first I smell fine, then after a few hours I smell musty/BO/as if I haven’t even showered in days

• I’ve tried every single combination of deoderant/antipersperant I could access. Mitchum was highly recommended but wasn’t any help disappointingly, in fact I think I smelled worse with it. Right now I’m using dove stick which is bearable but not great either. As I said above- fine at first, then after a few hours I smell again , badly enough to be noticeable by other people

• I’ve tried every shower gel, scrub, body wash, lotion, soap (bar and liquid), even tried using dettol soap- no difference. I shave every 2nd day.

• i wash my hair every 2-3 days, I change my bedding every week without fail

• i wondered if it was possibly my clothes which smelled rather than me so I got rid of EVERYTHING, and started all over again (new underwear, new pjs, completely new clothes etc) but same problem literally no difference

the only thing I can think of that I haven’t tried is the Driclor range which I’m going to try and I’m praying it works. I’ve always had this problem- I remember being so embarrassed about it as a teenager. It’s definitely not something I’m just paranoid about either- I’ve asked my friends / family to be completely honest with me and they’ve agreed with me. I don’t have any hormonal problems and sweat like a normal person as far as I’m aware but for some reason I just smell so much quicker than the average person

does anyone have any tips or product recommendations I could try (in case driclor doesn’t work)?

sorry for the long post, I’m just so down about it x

I would say this is an INTERNAL issue. You can cover the smell all you like topically but if you’ve got an infection or something going on in your body you’ll still smell. I’d seek a naturopath to help you. Might be a detox of sorts required or some remedies to help your gut / liver / lymph.

I had this problem, from the teenage years and struggled into adulthood. I spent a long time finding what would work for me..
I shower every morning when I wake up, usually use a lemon or mango fragrance body wash (never teatree or mint as it seems to make it worse)
I use WILD deodorant, either the sea salt or cotton fresh scent.
Since doing this I've noticed the smell isn't as noticeable, I always get paranoid I smell, never wear a top more than once before washing it etc but I rewore a top last week, which I've never done in my life because of the smell, and it didn't have a smell at all, and this is all since using WILD deodorant.
I swear by the stuff because it's the only thing I've ever found works.

Hopefully you can find something that works for you.

@fireworksinthesky3 driclor is very strong I was recommended it for hands and feet but it made me so itchy and dry and would crack my skin.
Can you get you skin biome or gut flora checked? ( Things that were suggested for me, I have what Dr suspects to be hyperhidrosis, basically for most my life)
Ps I may have muddled biome & flora (?) it was a while since suggested so please nobody jump on me :)

I'm a stinky sweater. I don't sweat much at all, but my underarms can pong. Loads of good advice above and I can definitely recommend double washing pits. I use a face cloth too and Megababe glycolic soap, really good. I also find that letting deodorant dry before getting dressed (use a hairdryer sometimes!) maes a positive difference.

One thing I do know I'd that hormones make me smell more. The week before my period I smell more. I once had a pill that made me reek, seriously bad, nothing helped. Stopped when I came off it after a year. Are you taking any hormonal contraception, possibly even the same pill since you were a teen? Might be worth considering.

There was a thread which mentioned the way washing machines didn't rinse enough.
The over use of Lenor etc can be leaving stale smelling deposits in clothes. Wash everything with just water, notice the colour of it, and how much soapy stuff is rinsed away. All these highly scented products just mask the problem.

@fireworksinthesky3

I would add disinfectant to your wash drawer with your detergent or do a final rinse with disinfectant - no heat or 20oC only. You can then dry as you are. This is unlikely to be your clothes though.

Try the new deodrant Fussy. It's natural and aims to stop these bad bacteria taking hold and causing odour. I've just bought this cos we're trying to reduce chemical exposure. Here's a 50% off link. I hope it works for you - I get nothing btw in case you're wondering.

fussy.mention-me.com/me/referee/registerko/167572356/661541719/em/cac657de576c215dbff0ba98ae7437bff32047bb/ol/cw?epr=1

I'd also suggest rewashing every few hours - underarms and groin as a minimum, wearing natural materials only - cottons inc linen and wool - and staying cool to reduce sweating. This will be a pain in the neck, I know but until you get it under control, it's the only way to help you get through a day without smelling.

However, you might find it's your sweat that smells - that is the fish smell issue (it doesn't always mean you smell of fish). Pls go to see your GP.

I haven’t read the whole thread. I can sympathise. If it’s BO you are talking about, I thoroughly recommend fussy, it’s a natural deodorant that has changed my life. I no longer smell. It has some anti-bacterial things in that eliminate rather than mask the smell.

Buy dr Beckman Odour remover and put in on the pits of your clothes as soon as things go in the washing basket.

As others have said, your first step should be to see your GP, it may be something that's easily treated

Have you tried washing all your clothes on a higher temperature?
A musty smell sounds like clothes that have been damp and maybe not hung up- the washing at 30 degrees doesn't work if you sweat quite a lot.

Have you looked up about body odour and gut microbiome? It might be useful. Dr karan does podcasts about it. Also I can't use certain washing powders or liquids certain body creams or perfumes as the smell reacts with my skin and smells awful. It's only certain ones though but it's been trial and error.

I've got two vegan friends, both of whom smell a bit odd to me. A bit like a cross between an earthy smell and tomatoes.

Could be a total coincidence but perhaps diet is linked?

I've been told by an Indian friend that western people really smell to her. What is your heritage? People from different genetic countries can smell different due to diet or genetics.

In the US an OBGYN doctor developed a full body deodorant. It is available in cream, stick, spray, etc forms. It is verified to control order for 72 hours. You can use it on your pits, privates, under breasts, butt crack etc. It's called Lume.

Doesn't do well on reviews

Hi,
Fussy is very good as it 'eats' sweat. I'm going onto the bicarb free version as I get a slight reaction with the normal stuff. Hope you find a solution.

Go to your Doctor. Get a difinative diagnosis, and take your Doctors advice, you can't do this alone, you need professional help. Xx

Hi OP.

Have you tried using an African exfoliating net scrub? They are so so good and I feel so clean after using it. Good luck

Driclor is fab but it can burn your skin especially if it doesn't dry on your skin after application (I used a hairdryer to dry it).

Is your wardrobe Ikea? The smell is supposed to dissipate after a few weeks at most but I had one wardrobe where the smell lingered for years and made my son’s clothes smell sweaty. I thought it was him and buying stronger deodorant, didn’t occur to me it was the wardrobe making his clothes smell.

Haven’t read all the replies so I’m sorry if this has already been recommended. But I started to struggle with body odour when I hit my 30s and also became very depressed over it. I could hardly wear any of my clothes, I’d sweat terribly in the night and make the entire bed smell by the morning, and throughout the day I couldn’t wear anything touching my armpits as no matter what I tried, I would stink after a few hours. I tried every shop shelf product going, but finally solved the problem when I found this (Perspirex Strong): https://amzn.eu/d/1geMPtd - it’s expensive and tiny, but it lasts months as I don’t need to use it every day now, and you only use a tiny bit on each armpit. 2-3 strokes, every 2-4 days. If you put too much on you’ll know about it as it’s bloody strong stuff. I put regular spray antiperspirant on top (Sure) and use the Sure on my in-between days. It’s honestly worked miracles for me. All those problems have been solved overnight. I have mixed feelings about using something so strong, but the alternative was damaging my quality of life. Not sure if this will completely solve your issue, as this is obviously for your armpits, but it has somehow stopped my full body night sweats as well, so you never know. I do agree with others though that it’s worth speaking to the GP in case something else is going on. Good luck x

I use a product called Detox-A-Pit made by Earth Purities. It:

• Detoxifies armpits to reduce underarm irritation, odour and sweating
• All-natural ingredients extract impurities and rebalance pH levels & microbial flora
• Especially useful when switching from commercial antiperspirants to a natural deodorant

This stuff works and is inexpensive. When I use it I can go without using any deodorant for a few days without any smell at all. Hope this helps.

I haven't read every single page, but while you're searching for the origins of this smell could you use those in-wash scent boosters? The little beads that you chuck into your washing machine. The scent lasts a long time on your clothes and smells lovely!

As PP have said, you need to do a good long wash and not a very short on so that the beads get a chance to dissolve.

I recently tried Holland and Barrett roll on deodorant the manuka honey one, I would wear spray and before long my armpits would be wet and sweaty even if I just showered. The manuka honey roll on is really good I use this one now xxx

One more thing, and again, sorry if someone has already suggested this! Do you leave your washing machine door wide open in between washes? If not it can get mouldy inside.
I agree with the PP who suggest part of this problem is with your washing machine!

Scent beads are terrible, they leave a coating on clothes making everything worse ( & environmentally crap)

Sorry if others have mentioned this ( turning out light and don’t want to trawl the thread) but do you drink enough water?

I’d try 2.5 litres of plain water daily for a couple of weeks and see where you get to. I know a couple of heavy coffee drinkers who whiff …