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 think it may be synthetic fabrics. Natural fibres are a lot better than polyester. I don’t have a smell problem, but I notice synthetics hold sweat a lot more.

Do you have a low grade bacterial infection? That can do it sometimes too.

Aleppo soap is great…laurel oil and olive oil….very good at cleansing and gentle on the skin.

I’d also drink more water and look at diet

Also, cotton knickers…areas like that need to ‘breathe’

Any triggers for example things you eat, stress, etc.

have you got any issues with smell? Mine was completely messed up with Covid - lost sense of smell for a few weeks, then distorted for a long time.

OP bad smell is a sign of pathogenic overgrowth and means you need to sort out your gut flora. Invest in good probiotic. It would be best to also use one on your skin and to reduce amount of chemicals you use (lotions, shower gels) as they also disturb your natural good bacteria.
How is your diet?

Is it your armpits that smell or if the smell coming from your skin in general? If it's your armpits use hibiscrub to wash them and a good quality crystal deodorant stone. If it's a smell coming from your skin in general, perhaps a visit to the docs to get some bloods done to rule out anything that could be causing it.

Apologies as I’ve not time to read the whole thread but didn’t want to not reply.

I’ve found much of the time if I have issues with body odour it is down to my hormones. Although I’m older than you and this is something I’ve realised since going through menopause, I’m not suggesting this but hormones fluctuate so that could contribute. Are you on any hormonal contraceptives?

Driclor works, and I also found men’s L’Oréal deodorant worked, nothing else and I had to use driclor a couple of times a week. Now I am post menopause and on HRT and use WILD natural deodorant.

It could be that the smell lingers on your clothes after washing, armpit smells are particularly bad for this. Try switching to bio washing powder and get rid of fabric softener and use white vinegar or dettol laundry sanitiser. Try and avoid synthetic fabrics too

Look at your diet, processed foods, onions, anything particularly smelly that you eat a lot of, and drink plenty of water, if you are dehydrating this will also have an impact.

Do you live in an old house? I know a few people that have this smell, it’s not them but the house so they are nose blind to it.

Also, go back to your GP specifically for this, it doesn’t matter if they think it’s not that important because xyz. If it’s affecting you MH then it’s affecting your health.

It might be in your clothes so once they're warmed up or wet it smells.
I've had a similar issue. Washed so much, even found myself washing while at work. Nothing helped!

I replaced a lot of my clothes and also washed the tops I was keeping in something (can't remember what it was, but I'm sure Google will help).
I use the wet roll on Mitchum, and my issue went away!

Hi I take your point re no excessive sweating noted in the post. I still think it is worth seeing a Dr and getting a referral. There is a condition called Trimethylaminuria its very uncommon but causes body odour. Also hormonal changes, liver disease, kidney disease and certain medicines such as antidepressants. Don't want to be alarmist but worth excluding a medical cause when you appear to have tried everything xx

Sorry, replied without RTFT 🤦🏽‍♀️ I'd suggest a visit to the GP to rule out anything causing it. Maybe still try hibiscrub on your whole body and see if that makes a difference. Works wonders for armpit odour.

Driclor is amazing! Before I had kids I really suffered with Bo/wetness but driclor worked wonders. Make sure not to shave your underarms for a few days before as the smarting will be unbearable. It's definitely worth a try

When people ask how you wash your clothes, they mean HOW? Yes in the washing machine but what detergents are you using.

Make sure you’re using bio as standard, and also oxy bleach, soda crystals and probably even occasionally use some laundry sanitizer in the rinse drawer (the softener drawer). Also never use laundry softener/conditioner.

Sorry I missed your last bullet point where you say you've already replaced your clothes.

I have found the wet roll ons are better than the others.

While I was on mat leave I really wanted my body to adapt to a natural deodorant, tried for a year. My body just doesn't work with them which is super annoying as I hate using strong chemicals but needs must for me!

Hope you find some answers

Glycolic acid on your armpits and wash with hibiscrub

Hi OP,

I read something years ago (sorry, cannot find the specific link) about protecting the microbiome of our skin and how sometimes, odour can be linked to our overuse of soaps/detergents/deodorants/etc.

https://www.theguardian.com/society/article/2024/jun/23/the-happy-microbiome-how-to-nourish-all-of-yours-from-mouth-to-gut-to-vagina

https://www.theguardian.com/la-roche-posay-supported-skin/ng-interactive/2024/may/23/how-to-keep-your-skin-microbiome-balanced-and-what-to-do-if-its-not

As you describe is as an all-body problem as opposed to specifically your underarms, perhaps an all-body approach might help. I also remember in the un-finadable article there was a series of microbiotic/bacterial deodorants that were helpful in elliminating odours because they rebalanced the body's natural bacterial balance.

In absence of this fantom link, I have also heard great things about the Sam Farmer skincare range and it won "best teenage deodorant" so that might help short term. Good luck.

to be honest I don’t think the NHS would prioritise resources into this, which is why they’re telling you it’s not a concern to them. A private doctor may be able to get you some answers, particularly a dermatologist.

It could be a number of things.

For example some people naturally are more oily than others and produce excess sebum which could smell.

it could be that you’re allergic to something that comes into contact with your skin, producing a bad odour

It could possibly be your diet - maybe you’re intolerant to something or are lacking in something

It could be your weight or medication you take or other conditions you have, are you otherwise healthy?

It could be dodgy plumbing or appliances.

Have you tried showering much more frequently? I know you said twice a day didn’t help, but if you notice the smell after a few hours, maybe just showering again after a few hours would give you peace of mind.

Do you know anyone in real life who would 100% honestly tell you if you do smell bad? I have a friend who is convinced she is a bit fat, she is a size 6 to 8 at 5ft 6. It has always been like this since we stopped being very young as she was a size 4 back then.

This is good advice. I would also run some white towels through the hottest wash possible with a dishwasher tablet to get rid of any mold/smell in the machine. Also leave the washing machine door open between washes so no mold and smells build up.

Have you serviced your washing machine? Got the drawer out and scrubbed it and the cavity too? Used a cleaner in a hot empty wash? You should really be doing this once month.

Clothes need to be dried quickly,they get musty smelly otherwise.

Have you tried Sure maximum protection stick?

What do you use to wash yourself in the shower ? Scrubbie,wash cloth , sponge?

Try washing your hair every day to see if that helps.

I could really smell it myself and on my clothes

Here would be my advice:

• Use a body scrub 3 times a week
• Use an antiseptic soap like cidal and use a puff or flannel to wash with - don't just use your hands
• Make sure your towels are clean when your using them
• Use some femmine flushable wipes war-time you use the loo
• Use a body lotion everyday
• Use a roll on deodorant followed by a spray one
• Get breathable bedding and buy a new duvet etc if you haven't changed or washed it on a while
• Use a washing machine cleaner and wash on 60 degrees, also use some of those unstoppable scenes balls
• Try and wear loose fitting clothing (cotton if possible)
• pack a kit into your handbag that includes deodorant, spray, wipes etc)

Good luck and hope you get it sorted

I only buy Fairy washing products now as I found Ariel etc would stink if the clothes weren’t dried asap. Leaving them on an airer in this weather and they would be awful. I never have this problem with Fairy.

Since it’s musty it sounds like it could be smells from your home and clothes. Are you storing them in an old cupboard/drawers? Is your home damp?

I've always struggled with sweating too much. I have tried every deodrant out there, this combo has been a game changer for me. I put Perispex comfort on at night (other overnight deodrants itch and sting like mad), then use vichy comfort after a shower in the morning.

Try this perspi guard set OP.

www.amazon.co.uk/Perspi-Guard-3-Step-Sweat-Deodorant-Bundle/dp/B0CMV4BMQN/ref=asc_df_B0CMV4BMQN/?

Clothes can smell if your washing machine isn't cleaned regularly.

-Clean out the filter

-Use a washing machine cleaner /descaler now and then

-Don't overload it- the drum shouldn't be full.

-Take clothes out of the machine as soon as they are washed - leaving clothes in after the spin cycle (for a few hours or overnight) can make them smell very musty and 'unwashed'.

No one needs to use anti-bac stuff in their laundry. It's a marketing con, feeding a hygiene 'phobia'.

Hot water and detergent are enough. The whole anti-bac thing is a con - the air is full of millions of bacteria, many of which are essential for our health.

Once your clothes are out of the machine they will be covered in normal (healthy) bacteria that's in the air all of the time.

Our older washing machine was practically making everything smell terrible even though it was all washed on high temperatures.

Once we had replaced it with a new very modern Samsung one, it made such a difference and none of our clothes smell now. Plus it has the added bonus of a drum cleaning setting that reminds you when you need to clean it!

Apologies if someone else has already advised this but try Glycolic Acid. The Ordinary one is cheap and good.

Just a little bit on the cotton wool pad and swiped under your arms 2 - 3 times a week. Apparently what it does is it reduces the ph level which helps to stop bacterial overgrowth where body odour can thrive.

I know this helps because I have a reaction to most deodorants so I use this method to try and avoid having to use anything else.