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Original poster

What’s the smell?

34 replies

AdogAndACat · 29/10/2023 12:43

Son is and always has been extremely hygienic if not a bit OTT sometimes although over I’d say the past three weeks I can smell something a little off. I don’t know what it could be as he has a bath once a day (or now a shower) and brushes his teeth two-three times a day. I make sure he changes into clean clothes everyday too so it’s not that. It’s not sweat either because he has it even on cold days. Is there any sort of condition that would cause this?

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akkakk · 29/10/2023 13:46

Some illnesses do have associated smells eg diabetes can smell of pear drops… worth pursuing but you might need to identify the smell!

MercurialMargot · 29/10/2023 13:50

How old is he?
Could it be that the washing is getting a little musty due to the change in the weather?

Original poster
AdogAndACat · 29/10/2023 13:55

akkakk · 29/10/2023 13:46

Some illnesses do have associated smells eg diabetes can smell of pear drops… worth pursuing but you might need to identify the smell!

if it was diabetes would I not have been able to smell it by now?

OP posts:
Original poster
AdogAndACat · 29/10/2023 13:55

MercurialMargot · 29/10/2023 13:50

How old is he?
Could it be that the washing is getting a little musty due to the change in the weather?

He’s 12, maybe, but I don’t think it’s a clothes smell, doesn’t have a musty scent beforehand

OP posts:
ditalini · 29/10/2023 13:57

How old is he? Teenage boy smell is a thing - ds1 is pretty clean but his room has a "boy" odour and occasionally I have to pack him off for a shower.

It's not as simple as BO, it's a different smell, presumably hormones.

Original poster
AdogAndACat · 29/10/2023 14:00

ditalini · 29/10/2023 13:57

How old is he? Teenage boy smell is a thing - ds1 is pretty clean but his room has a "boy" odour and occasionally I have to pack him off for a shower.

It's not as simple as BO, it's a different smell, presumably hormones.

He’s 12 so not a full on teenager yet. What does his room smell like? DS’ room isn’t smelly more just him

OP posts:
newtlover · 29/10/2023 14:03

can anybody else smell it?
I had a really weird thing when DS1 was about that age, his room and bedding stunk, I could smell it from outside the room, not BO or anything I could identify, tried airing the room, washing bedding etc etc
no one else could smell it

TotalOverhaul · 29/10/2023 14:03

Is he washing his hair enough? DSs shower or bathe daily but I can't make them wash their hair more than once or twice a week. I hate that stale hair smell.

What sort of smell is it? Musty? Mushroomy? Fishy? Meaty? Sour?

Ibravedaflood · 29/10/2023 14:05

Is he washing his genitals properly? Obviously a difficult conversation op!

Nonamesleft1 · 29/10/2023 14:07

What’s his eating like?

can you describe the smell?

Original poster
AdogAndACat · 29/10/2023 14:19

@newtlover nobody else has brought it up to me, my mum who has him a few times over the week hasn’t said anything. It’s strnage but then again I live with him so I guess it’s more noticable?

@TotalOverhaul yeah he is pretty OCD about making sure his hair is washed prooerly as he’s terrified of dandruff, I’ve smelt his scalp and couldn’t notice anything either. Can’t describe it really, I suppose it is a bit like a fishy, dull smell?

@Ibravedaflood I’m not sure to be honest, I would assume he is given how clean he likes to be (room is as spotless as you’d hope for for a preteen)

@Nonamesleft1 He is rather varied, eats a good amount of fruit and veg, has a bit of diary like milk with cereal but he’s never had any bad reactions from it

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kwetu · 29/10/2023 14:27

Could it be from damp trainers/socks my lad in this weather always has damp/wet trainers and the smell is different to 'feet' smell.
Other than that, having raised teenage boys I would definitely say the have their very own fragrance for a couple of years!

Original poster
AdogAndACat · 29/10/2023 14:33

kwetu · 29/10/2023 14:27

Could it be from damp trainers/socks my lad in this weather always has damp/wet trainers and the smell is different to 'feet' smell.
Other than that, having raised teenage boys I would definitely say the have their very own fragrance for a couple of years!

It could be damp socks, after he comes in if it has been raining he’ll pop them in the washing basket and put fresh ones on

maybe it is? I’ve not heard of teenage boys having a fragrance before I must admit 😅. Didn’t know it was a thing

OP posts:
polkadotpig · 29/10/2023 14:44

I've worked in upper KS2 in schools for years and I always think that children in Year 6 start to smell of food. Their feet often smell too because they wear trainers.

Mumaway · 29/10/2023 14:45

Something lost in his ear or nose. They take a while but seriously pong

TheShellBeach · 29/10/2023 14:48

AdogAndACat · 29/10/2023 14:33

It could be damp socks, after he comes in if it has been raining he’ll pop them in the washing basket and put fresh ones on

maybe it is? I’ve not heard of teenage boys having a fragrance before I must admit 😅. Didn’t know it was a thing

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Oh they do!
It's part of puberty I think.

Nonamesleft1 · 29/10/2023 15:55

AdogAndACat · 29/10/2023 14:19

@newtlover nobody else has brought it up to me, my mum who has him a few times over the week hasn’t said anything. It’s strnage but then again I live with him so I guess it’s more noticable?

@TotalOverhaul yeah he is pretty OCD about making sure his hair is washed prooerly as he’s terrified of dandruff, I’ve smelt his scalp and couldn’t notice anything either. Can’t describe it really, I suppose it is a bit like a fishy, dull smell?

@Ibravedaflood I’m not sure to be honest, I would assume he is given how clean he likes to be (room is as spotless as you’d hope for for a preteen)

@Nonamesleft1 He is rather varied, eats a good amount of fruit and veg, has a bit of diary like milk with cereal but he’s never had any bad reactions from it

i meant more his eating habits.

if he likes to be very clean, cleans his teeth multiple times a day and is now developing a smell I would be wondering about an eating disorder.

Saisong · 29/10/2023 16:00

Yes teen boys do develop a pong, even with otherwise hygienic habits. DS room develops a pong if his door is closed too long. I think it's hormonal.

Original poster
AdogAndACat · 29/10/2023 16:05

Nonamesleft1 · 29/10/2023 15:55

i meant more his eating habits.

if he likes to be very clean, cleans his teeth multiple times a day and is now developing a smell I would be wondering about an eating disorder.

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He eats well at least at home, no problems there. He’s currently average, not skinny but not chubby either

@Saisong how strange 😅 what does it smell like?

OP posts:
Saisong · 29/10/2023 16:07

It's a slightly sour smell, not like BO or musty/damp clothes. I seem to be able to smell it more than other family members.

LegendsBeyond · 29/10/2023 16:08

He could be masturbating & not cleaning himself up properly.

Original poster
AdogAndACat · 29/10/2023 16:09

Saisong · 29/10/2023 16:07

It's a slightly sour smell, not like BO or musty/damp clothes. I seem to be able to smell it more than other family members.

I think I get what you mean, DS’ is a fishy soury smell that I don’t pick up constantly, but every now and then it’s noticable

OP posts:
Tiredmum100 · 29/10/2023 16:10

Does he have eczema behind his ears?

StellaAndCrow · 29/10/2023 16:10

Something stuck up his nose? It's amazing how often odd smells are found to be due to e.g. a pea or a piece of lego stuck up a nose or in an ear!

bobby81 · 29/10/2023 16:11

I bet it's puberty. I agree with pp that teenage boys definitely have a certain smell.

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