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

Wear 100 percent cotton clothing and wash on hottest setting

Only use bar soap

Experiment with your diet

Wash your hair daily

What age are you?

I think you’d know if it was your clothes as they’d smell before you put them off. Damp washing smell is really distinctive and smells a bit like feet. But you could try a laundry sanitiser just in case - I have to use it on sportswear or it smells even after washing.
I’ve tried something similar to driclor and it works well but it sounds like it isn’t necessarily your sweat as it’s not just the armpits and you say you don’t sweat excessively.

If I were you I would trying using dermol lotion instead of shower gel and as a moisturiser all over, it’s antimicrobial so it reduces bacteria and yeast on the skin. I’d also consider seeing a private dermatologist as some skin conditions have a distinctive odour and they will be able to swab the skin. Make sure you smell before you go so they can smell it for themself

I get BO if I don't wash under my armpits twice for some reason. I have to pay particular attention to the crease between my arm and armpit. Drinking plenty fluids and a healthy diet also helps.

Do you shave your armpits, very important that you do especially in summer months.

Have you also tried that washing machine dettol cleaner to help hidden smells
Embedded in clothes? I bought by accident thinking it was detergent, but it's more for those smells they linger even after washing - so use it for bedding, underwear / tee shirts and slippers/foot related things that can be washed. Only used a few times but seems good
Do you also recessively sweat or is it just then smell? There's different antiperspirants that can help but you may need a prescription. I sweat more than I'd like so use things like perspirex but don't really suffer too much with the smell so not too helpful - good luck but don't feel bad, it's just a medical condition

When younger, I had excessive sweating from my armpits from puberty. A doctor in my 20s said it was hyperhidrosis. I had visible marks on clothes and always was paranoid about my smell. My friends said there was no smell. Even so, I was paranoid about having to wear dark clothes etc. I had 2 lots of Botox treatment into my armpits and it solved the problem.

I see you don't overly sweat, and it sounds like you are doing the right things. I also found Mitchum a life saver now and use nothing other than that.

I am just mentioning this as it sounds like you may have a different root cause (hence why the tips you are trying aren't giving results). Follow the advise given in terms of diet, advice on laundry tips etc. If you still feel there is a problem go back to your GP. Please do. It changed my life, it was embarrassing to talk about but when I got brave and decided to actually properly talk about it with the doctor (mid-forties, make doctor when I was 27), he was great and I've never looked back. But again we are all different, so not saying it's the magic bullet.

I feel for you OP, that must be depressing to live with.

There are some great suggestions here, but I really think you need to see a GP to check if there's anything else going on. There are various issues that can make you smell. Do you have a decent GP?

If so, I'd not shower that day and turn up at your stinky-best, put your foot down and say "I need help with this. I've exhausted every option and it isn't going away".

Best of luck in fixing it X

Try a crystal deodorant like Pitrok - it’s just a crystal that you rub under your arms that stops bacteria from forming so the smell doesn’t develop. It’s enough for me on its own, but you may find you need to apply it first then use a standard antiperspirant deodorant on top.

You should see a doctor. Sometimes an odor can be related to a physical problem like a bad sinus infection.

Sorry but you also don't need to go to see your doctor without having a shower. Please ignore this advice as I know it would put me off going in.

Just shower and go in and explain your circumstances. They will know what questions to ask.

Salicylic acid body wash. Leave it for a few mins before rinsing off.

I had a very decent doctor who didn't need to see "my stinky best" and to be honest someone saying that to me in my 20s would have stopped me going.

Very often people don't smell in the same way to other people that they do themselves.

Our advice is the same now, try the tips and if no change then please be brave and honest with you GP on this topic and seek help.

We don't just sweat from the armpits..I once went on medication that made me sweat more than usual and got BO from the pubic area...was so confused about what was going on. I had to shave completely, towel dry, and use spray deodorant on the area (not inside obviously just outside standing up). When I researched it, I found there are specific pubic area deodorants as well that may be more gentle and designed for the area. I would try this. Good luck

When I suffered from hyper hydrosis as a teen I used Anhydrol Forte deodorant - you apply every few days, at night. Worked brilliantly.

www.chemistdirect.co.uk/anhydrol-forte-roll-on-20-w-v-cutaneous-solution/prd-1f

@Notaurewhy I'm sorry if I offended you. Was just trying to help the OP.

Soft and gentle roll on with the purple lid is the only deodorant that works for me. Also are you drinking enough water? I find that can change how I smell.

I understand and we agree on the same end result. If the tips don't work go to the doc.

You didn't offend me. We want the same thing to help the OP.

Glycolic acid, the ordinary do a good sized bottle for not much money. Under each armpit after you shower. Allow to air dry then deodorant on top.

Height amd weight? Sometimes if I'm too heavy I notice changes...

I read this article from a beauty editor before and she recommends using acnecide anti bacterial facewash under arms to kill the germs that make sweat smell.

https://www.theguardian.com/thefilter/2024/oct/26/everything-learned-beauty-column-best-products-treatments-skincare

My DD smelled terrible for a while. We worked out that she has a painless ear infection. It was awful and we only finally cottoned on when her ear started weeping, gross yucky stuff.

Are you sure your pits are the culprit?

In terms of deodorant get yourself Perspirex Extra Strength Antiperspirant Roll On. This is a very high strength deodorant and will stop you sweating. You can then determine if it’s solely your armpits causing the problem or something else. I used to sweat buckets….my armpits were like taps and this stopped me sweating completely so I’m sure it will work for you. Please try this instead of the other recommendations. You put this on at night and wash off in morning when it’s dry. Just use a thin layer and make sure to keep arms raised while it’s dry.

Maybe also take some washed but unworn clothes to a friends or families and ask them if they smell ok. That way you’ll have a clue if it’s your washing too. People are right that your washing machine may be dirty. Check all round the seal and clean with mould and mildew spray. I like to squirt bleach all round the inside and wash in the highest temp possible and then wash with powder in the highest temp possible and machine is always fresh after.

In saw someone post on here they use surf powder and the Lenor softener. I use the same combination and like it.

one final thing with clothes. Is you’re home cold / damp? If it is it may not be the washing process but the smell is coming from cold moisture in your home.

Try Soft and Gentle deodorising body powder, works wonders. It’s talc free but looks like talc. Use it on underarms and groin but can be used all over. I cycle and sweat a lot and the difference this has made to the smell is unbelievable.

You need an action plan.
First go to docs and tell them exactly the issue. It could well be a medical condition and that needs to be addressed or advised on.
If not medical then look at diet. Keep food diary and connect it to when you have worse times
Look at washing and drying clothes as per post on here
Look at showering as per posts on here
Work out how long you are ok and what shortens the times. Stress, exercise, etc
Are you better sometimes, any triggers etc
Be methodical. If it's hormonal etc.
Is it noticeable to others or you focusing in on it. Is it an in built issue for you due to previous experience etc.
Good luck in getting a solution.

Do people complain about the smell ?
Is it something that's ever been brought up in general ?

It will only ever be diet or clothing (bras/t-shirts especially) & once you've replaced them theirs nothing else you can do really

To be fair I always get a bad "smell" about me when I eat onions randomly