I have smelly armpits. How can I stop them ponging?

[smellypits]

Of course I have name changed.

I do not use deodorant. I have never needed to. I shower or bath every other day, unless I have done anything to warrant another shower (exercise, sex etc etc).

Last week I had quite severe throat infection, fever, sweated a bit but not too much, however I started to smell a bit. Quite a bit. That illness smell you get, do you know what I mean? I have smelt it before when I have had the flu, I think its the virus being sweated out?

Anyway, since then I have got better. But I still stink. By the end of the day, my arms stink, I can smell it really quite badly. Its not a normal BO smell, its the same smell I had since I was unwell.

I just cant get rid of it. I have just had a nice long shower, used some Champneys shower gel, had a good scrub. I now smell wonderful. Mostly. The smell is still there and Iknow by the end of the evening it will have returned.

My sore throat returned yesterday, not as bad, but I dont feel 100%.

Could it still be the virus lurking? Or am I just going to have to change my hygiene habits more permanenty? What else could I do to stop stinking so badly?

Are you sure that it's not your nose playing you up. Sometimes, if you have horrbily gunky sinuses you can smell foul smells.

I reckon you'll be back to normal in a day or two.

Could try drinking loads, flush it out kind of thing?

smelly - I agree with LRW. It could be your sinuses.

Lilred - i am almost sure, but not 100% sure its not my nose.

I have had two sinus infections over the last 2 months, then got wolloped with this. I had considered it might affect my sinus but food smells fine, although I have never had a great sense of smell. And, it smells different to that smell I always get with my sinus, a kind of 'snot smell' (sorry TMI that makes food taste yuck. Its a taste/smell I remember from childhood that one!

But, maybe it is. My nose is a bit bunged up right now. I guess its developed an intolerance to my body smell . No-one else smells. And it smells worse if I sniff near my armpits.

DH says he cant smell it, but I can even smell it on my bedsheets. He could just be being kind.

I have been given three lots of antibiotcs for my sinus infections. I took one lot. then 4 weeks later got it again, did not take the antibiotics this time, got better on my own (so I thought).

This time, Dr gave me antibiotics, I took them for 3 days but did not finish the course . Dumb, I just kept forgetting to take them, and as I had felt better, just did not remember.

Should I finish them now? Its been a week.

I had read before that sinus trouble can cause sore throats?

It could be then. Oh dear, i hope it sorts itself out, I smell awful !

very smelly bits (armpits, feet etc) can be caused by an invisible fungal infection - only visible under UV light - since fungal infections thrive in warm sweaty areas (like your armpits) and you have been on AB - is this a possibility?

try washing underarm with medicated shampoo (like vosene or head and shoulders), try and keep them well-aired and see how you get on

mooninsmummy - well yes I guess it is a poss. However, I am not particularly sweaty and I do air myself, I get warm easily so wear short sleeves mostly, and I shave.

I shall try medicated shampp see how that works!

oh dear moominsmummy - that means I might actually smell ! And if its as bad as I smell it, its not pleasant!

why dont you use an antiperspirant? are you against it or just never have?

sarah - no its not that I am against it specfically, I have not ever really had an opinion as I have not really ever needed it.

The point I guess I was making, was that I am now suffering from odour which means I might need to use one, whereas for the last 30 years I have not had a problem with being smelly, and it started with me being unwell.

i know it sounds odd... but i find that rubbing a pinch on bicarbonate soda in ure armpits helps the smell massively. do it after showering and it really works. personal experience.