I always smell and he's finally told me.

[Jpk1110o]

Partner of 4 years has told me I smell. He said it in a polite way, as if trying to help me.

I'm 26 and tbh I've always known I sweat a lot under my arms but his comment has hit home that other people probably think I smell too.

I work in an office and I often find that 10 minutes into put on a work top, I have sweat patches under my arms and I smell; even if I wear a black blouse, I'm uncomfortable as the armpit area is absolutely soaked through even though nobody else can see it through the black.

I finally hit breaking point today wearing a pink sleeveless shirt as it was hot. I thought since it was sleeveless that there was no way sweat patches would occur. I was wrong. After driving to work and going to the staff toilet first thing in the morning, I lifted my arms up to see sweat on the material just under the armpits.

I've also resorted to regularly using work toilet soap to wash under my arms every 2 hours; I still smell. Nobody has told me I smell, but I can smell myself so I try not to stand too close to people.

Anyway, I got home and just told my boyfriend that I think I sweat more than average and he agreed and said he's noticed I've smelt for years. I'm mortified since if he's noticed then probably everyone in work thinks I smell.

I'm fit, go on lots of walks, vegetarian, so I don't understand why I sweat so much?

I've ordered Odaban spray from Amazon and hoping it'll stop the sweat, even if it burns the armpit, I'd rather that than excess sweat.

Any other tips to get me through the next 2 days at work without sweaty armpit stains though? It's not due to arrive until Friday.

Propantheline/Pro-Banthine? I was prescribed this for IBS and found it had this knock-on effect and apparently it is also used for excessive sweating.

OP - my best friend had the same her whole life. She had the condition that made her sweat a lot more than normal people despite being very slim. It's hereditary and runs in her family (her mum, grandmother and sister also had the same problems). It was awful as she really did smell of BO, even though she showered and used deo constantly. I noticed that the last few months we have met up, she smelled lovely and there was no BO at all. I didn't give it much thought, but she suddenly told me today that she has had a small procedure under her arms (it cost €2,500 in Germany where she lives) and it completely changed her life. She said her sister had it too and it's a life-changing procedure that somehow removed the sweat glands under her arms.

I'm sweaty and I swear by Odaban.

But there could very well be a medical reason behind it and the GP is the place to start. I have always been incredibly sweaty, to the point that the slightest increase in temperature or minor exertion causes me to sweat from everywhere - beetroot-faced, glasses sliding off my face, hair soaking wet, t-shirt sticking to my back level of sweat.

Turns out I have PoTS, so the sweating is caused by a dysfunctional autonomic nervous system.

It may be nothing in the OP's case but it's having a seriously negative impact on her life so it wouldn't hurt to look into it.

OP not sure if anyone else has suggested it but try giving up dairy. The difference it makes is amazing. Since I gave up dairy I never use deodorant and I don’t smell at all.

Try a combination of hydrocortisone and lotramin (commonly marketed as athlete's foot cream). Rub on your armpit twice a day. The odor could be could be fungal. This was all that worked for the odor portion when I needed a solution. The Botox will help with the sweat.

@Skidaramink Completely agree with you about giving up dairy if you have an odour problem. I know a couple of people in this situation who have been helped a lot by cutting down dramatically on dairy, especially cheese. Seem to remember Adam Richman on Man versus Food talking about the cheese sweats.

Don't use antiperspirants and only wear cotton. Use deodorants that don't have aluminum. Get botox under ur armpits. Sweat patches are great idea. I used to wear sanitary pads back in the days. I smelled like a construction worker. Turned out my testosterone was high, I'm on spironolactone now and the sweathing has subsided, barely any smell.

I'd rather use an antiperspirant tbh. Deodorant only masks the smell

@Jpk1110o

I have written a post, which is the last post on page 8 of the thread.

I've detailed about putting antiperspirant on at night.

I read also, that you are mixing antiperspirants and also spraying perfume under your arms.

Please be careful doing this as you will irritate your armpits if you do this longterm.

Please do shower well at night and make sure your armpits are hair free. Dry them thoroughly and use a roll on antiperspirant that has the words clinical protection on.

Wait for the antiperspirant to dry, before you get dressed.

The next morning, shower again and then use a spray antiperspirant if you wish but always wait for the antiperspirant to dry before getting dressed.

Please don't spray perfume though as it may really irritate the skin.

Also, please make an appointment to see your GP, to rule out any hormonal or other problems.

I've got four different anti perspirants in my house and not a single one has the words "clinical protection" on them.

@NoCleverNickname - can you post an example of a brand that has this wording?

The ultra strong one says "clinically proven", but the others don't say anything like that at all.

@VanGoghsDog

I had a quick google of “clinical protection antiperspirants UK”, because I haven’t lived in the UK for a number of years and wanted to give you up to date information.

Dove do a clinical protection roll on, available from iherb, from Amazon UK, Mitchum have a clinical protection one, Secret have one that’s available, SweatBlock do the antiperspirant and the wipes, Certain Dri have one.

So it’s just a case of looking for something with clinical in the name, such as the one you have, or it may say prescription strength. But I wouldn’t just buy one that says “our most effective formulation” if it doesn’t say those things as well.

There used to be a drug store called Superdrug that was quite good in terms of variety and availability. Otherwise a place called Boots, if they’re still around.

OP this was me last year, i would wash my armpits apply a roll on and spray for good measure but 10 mins in office i could smell myself, so embarrassing. I would spray myself with perfume before going to use the photocopier, paranoid people could smell it.

I decided to buy Driclor* *online and honestly it was the best purchase i have ever made. Roll on at night wash off in morning, and use usual deodrant. I havent smelled myself at all since, i used it every other night for a week then just once a fortnight now.
My partner works a very physical job sweating alot and tried it too, hes amazed at how well it works.
Give it a go you wont regret it, only about £6 for a small tub on amazon but you dont need much at all. Good luck.

I know you don't want to see a doctor, but honestly, this sounds medical. You're trying to mask the symptoms, when a doctor can look at the cause and offer something more effective.

As has already been mentioned, something like botox in your armpits might be a solution - you're not going to be able to order that online. Bite the bullet and make that GP appointment.

I'm not quite into the same territory, but I do sweat/overheat easily, so I have to be mindful of what I wear, how much activity I do (running to work is a bad idea, I only sprint for public transport on my way home) and I try to avoid the sun. I'm fairly sure I'm going to hate the menopause when it comes.

Dove do a clinical protection roll on, available from iherb, from Amazon UK, Mitchum have a clinical protection one, Secret have one that’s available, SweatBlock do the antiperspirant and the wipes, Certain Dri have one.

I've got two Mitchum ones here and they don't say that, so I think what you mean is the extra strength ones, which is what people have been suggesting, same as my one that does say it too.

They're on a shelf on their own usually in the anti perspirants section, all chemists like Boots etc sell them, as do supermarkets like Sainsbury's.

Another recommendation for Driclor. It will sting until you get used to it, but is the only thing that worked for me. Go to boots today and put it on tonight after a shower, wash it off in the morning

In the UK they say maximum protection not clinical protection and have been suggested already (mainly sure and dove)

Of course boots and superdrug still exist

There used to be a sure deodorant that you put on the night before, don't know if that's still around x

Just make sure your skin is bone dry before you apply it, and don't put it on freshly-shaved skin, otherwise it rely will sting!

@VanGoghsDog

Perhaps it is the maximum strength ones - where I live, it is “clinical protection” and “prescription strength”.

@dementedpixie

Good to hear they still exist as my understanding (mainly from the news) was that a lot of retailers went bust or online only due to Covid. Like I said, I’ve not lived in the U.K. for a long time. I had been told that Debenhams closed down and there’s no more C&A, or Benetton, or Alders, or John Lewis.

Botox ??

I sympathise . I had the same problem. Mitchum didn’t work. So I eventually had my sweat glands taken out. Extreme but changed my life for the better.

John Lewis hasn't shut down. C&A closed about thirty years ago!

My dp had this when we first met because he didn't realise deodorant and anti perspirant were different. Now he buys an anti perspirant deodorant and is fine.

Wow, 30 years ago? Time really does go fast lol.

I haven’t been back for years! I used to really like Marks and Spencer’s and I actually still own 2 pairs of M&S shoes!