What is this smell?!

[Tulipthree]

DH late 40’s. The past few months I’ve noticed he smells different - a sort of musty, sour smell. It’s not constant but I’ve noticed it several times, not just his clothes but his pillow too. Nothing has changed in terms of his (good!) personal hygiene, he’s not changed his diet, and is in decent health - could lose a couple of pounds but otherwise pretty fit.

I feel awful but it’s not pleasant. Today I was doing the laundry and one of his shirts REALLY carried the odour - so I (as kindly as I could) said I’d noticed this. Trouble is, to him the shirt smelt ‘of nothing’! He just didn’t understand what I meant at all, but it’s definitely there and really bothering me.

Any ideas what could be causing this? Xx

He needs to go to the GP and get this checked out. A funny smell can be a sign of diabetes.

@sixteenfurryfeet - might have a hard time persuading him if he just can’t detect it himself! But I will try..

The smell isn’t fruity or chemical - both which can point to illnesses I know. Closest thing I could compare it to would be vintage clothes - but also muskier. It’s really weird.

I’m also wondering if perhaps the problem lies with me! 😂I know sense of smell can become heightened in perimenopause but I’m not noticing any other smell changes and it’s definitely new…

Google ‘the smell of Parkinson’s’. That’s musty. Hopefully not but there has to be something wrong.

Is there any chance his clothes could have gotten damp, i.e. taken too long to dry and got that awful musty damp smell embedded? IME it's a bugger to get rid of without using white vinegar in the wash and ideally, line-drying, but I am VERY sensitive to the smell of damp! Does your laundry all get washed together?

Yep, Parkinson’s or bad teeth or liver - could be a fungal skin infection too.

Google 'Nonenal'

@DiamandaTheGreat - I know what you mean, but it’s definitely not damp clothes - we do all the laundry together.

@FiveWordsWillDoNotEightyFive And @Supersimkin2 - thank you. That is a bit worrying about Parkinson’s as it does sound similar, although DH has no other symptoms, would be very young for onset and there’s no family history.

Bad teeth - it’s not his breath but liver is interesting. He does like a drink and has a glass of wine or beer most days, but it definitely doesn’t smell boozy.

Diabetes
Infection or
Parkinson's

A woman who could smell her husband's illness has inspired a new test

www.michaeljfox.org/news/ask-md-does-parkinsons-have-signature-scent

@MaraScottie - thanks, that is interesting, and kind of upsetting if it is ‘old person’s smell’ ☹️ It does seem a bit like that, but he’s only 46!

This is a good article OP - same age as your DH too.

https://www.independent.ie/life/health-wellbeing/health-features/ask-the-doctor-my-husband-has-good-hygiene-but-recently-he-has-a-musty-stale-smell-what-could-this-be/a1010231030.html

@MaraScottie - thanks so much, that sounds almost identical to our situation! I will persuade him to get a blood test to check out liver/kidney function etc.

Really hope it’s something that can be easily managed or prevented and not a sign of anything serious. I know there are far, far worse things to contend with…but it is difficult.