My 17 Smells Strange

Zozo12345 · 2021-05-24T08:33:01+00:00

My 17 year old Son smells strange, he washes body and hair daily. Wears clean clothes and brushes teeth. Still has a strong smell and it's not BO smells musty hard to explain.

TheBullfinch · 24/05/2021 09:35

A musty smell can be due to wearing improperly laundered clothes (bacteria growth). Try cleaning your washing machine.

Could it be his trainers?

Elieza · 24/05/2021 09:37

Has he got any physical symptoms of any sort that could be about anything worrying?

Original poster

Zozo12345 · 24/05/2021 09:39

I don't think so as have two teenage boys and other only smells of BO on occasions. Trainers don't smell. will try wash out washing machine.

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Cactusowl · 24/05/2021 09:41

Are the towels he uses to dry himself fresh, if there are musty and damp the smell will transfer to him.

Original poster

Zozo12345 · 24/05/2021 09:41

@Elieza

Has he got any physical symptoms of any sort that could be about anything worrying?

No but he does have acne and a bit over weight!

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TheBullfinch · 24/05/2021 09:44

Does he have any fungal infections such as Athlete's Foot or Jock Itch?

wingsofsteel · 24/05/2021 09:44

If no-one else in the family has this issue, could it be that he's storing his clothes somewhere that is a bit fusty? I once had a similar thing with my teen and found that the clothes I was handing her to be put away were being shoved under her bed together with anything else lying around when she was asked to tidy her room (damp towels/plates/packed lunch remnants/swimming kit etc). That discovery was a test of patience

DroopyDaff · 24/05/2021 09:45

My teen sons often smell of wet dog to me. It probably started when they were about 14/15. They are perfectly clean, shower daily, use deodorant, clothes are not smelly at all.

I read somewhere that it is a biological thing that sons smell bad to their mothers as a way of detaching from them as they reach maturity.

Branleuse · 24/05/2021 09:47

teenage boys do tend to smell more strongly than adults. Both my boys bath daily and wear clean clothes and normal hygeine, but i can still smell them. I dont know why. Maybe its all the testosterone etc.

When you say it smells strange, do you mean its a recent change to his normal smell?

Original poster

Zozo12345 · 24/05/2021 09:48

@Branleuse

teenage boys do tend to smell more strongly than adults. Both my boys bath daily and wear clean clothes and normal hygeine, but i can still smell them. I dont know why. Maybe its all the testosterone etc.

When you say it smells strange, do you mean its a recent change to his normal smell?

I would say last year or so. He never sued to smell like this, and now his hygiene is better than then!

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Mumof1andacat · 24/05/2021 09:54

What about his mattress, pillows and quilt? Do they need cleaning?

LindaEllen · 24/05/2021 10:09

I don't have the answer, but DSS (also 17) is the same here. He comes and goes as he pleases, his bedroom doesn't smell unless he's in it, but we know he's arrived home if we get back from the shops or something as you can smell him as soon as you walk into the house.

Original poster

Zozo12345 · 24/05/2021 10:15

@LindaEllen

I don't have the answer, but DSS (also 17) is the same here. He comes and goes as he pleases, his bedroom doesn't smell unless he's in it, but we know he's arrived home if we get back from the shops or something as you can smell him as soon as you walk into the house.

This is exactly it!! he leaves a trace. I fell sorry for him and wanna know if its something I should be concerned or just something he will grow out of.

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Original poster

Zozo12345 · 24/05/2021 11:33

I bet it was!!

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MrsMackesy · 24/05/2021 11:42

I would wonder about drug use, especially if you have ruled other possible causes out. Blood and urine tests can be useful as a marker for general health and to rule that out, (unless he has a bit of notice).

Thisisjaaam · 24/05/2021 11:43

Smoking weed was my initial thought

BigusBumus · 24/05/2021 11:49

My 3 teenage sons all have a strong smell. Its not horrible or dirty, its just their skin.

There was an experiment once where a number of strangers (men) plus the teenage son and husband of a woman wore identical white t-shirts for the day. Afterwards she had to smell the t-shirts and rank the smell in order of attractiveness. Her DH came top or close to top and her DS came firmly last. Its a biological way of stopping women being attracted to their offspring and getting them to leave home or something...

Original poster

Zozo12345 · 24/05/2021 11:55

@MrsMackesy

I would wonder about drug use, especially if you have ruled other possible causes out. Blood and urine tests can be useful as a marker for general health and to rule that out, (unless he has a bit of notice).

No he doesn't do any drugs! always at home lol yes I've been thinking of getting a blood test to rule any health issues it could be.

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MrsMackesy · 26/05/2021 09:32

@BigusBumus

My 3 teenage sons all have a strong smell. Its not horrible or dirty, its just their skin.

There was an experiment once where a number of strangers (men) plus the teenage son and husband of a woman wore identical white t-shirts for the day. Afterwards she had to smell the t-shirts and rank the smell in order of attractiveness. Her DH came top or close to top and her DS came firmly last. Its a biological way of stopping women being attracted to their offspring and getting them to leave home or something...

I don't need the help from biology, just their music does it for me!