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Original poster

I suddenly smell of BO

35 replies

HellfireClubSandwich · 02/06/2023 18:55

I use a strong deodorant and have been washing my armpits every day, including today and yesterday with a salicylic wash as I’ve read this helps a bit I showered and washed about 7 hours ago, I used a new deodorant and I smell already. I haven’t been sweating.

what can I do? I have some Dricolor but my god it’s sore and itchy. I’ve never had this before? I’m healthy otherwise.

OP posts:
lissie123 · 02/06/2023 18:58

I think you might need to have a chat with your GP.

Datafan55 · 02/06/2023 19:00

Are you overwashing? - I find if I wash 'too much' (eg scrubbing hard, two applications of soap), I get bo.

YellowAndGreenToBeSeen · 02/06/2023 19:02

How old are you? I noticed this when I was at the start of perimenopause around the age of 42. I didn’t actually enter menopause till 50.

I used Mitchum block/twist up (can’t think of the actual name), followed by their spray on when the stick had dried. It worked for me.

DurhamDurham · 02/06/2023 19:03

I started to get a bit smelly mid afternoon when entering the perimenopausal stage. I stopped using shower gel and started to use soap in the shower. The only deodorant which works for me is Mitchum roll on. I was so self conscious but it seems ok now.

Nothingbuttheglory · 02/06/2023 19:05

I switched to a "skin kind" deodorant a while back. Smelly and damp armpits within 24 hours. It turned out the new deodorant was kind to skin because it contained nothing to reduce perspiration.

Nothingbuttheglory · 02/06/2023 19:06

Just to be clear - I did switch back again. Stopped smelling within another 24 hours.

Original poster
HellfireClubSandwich · 02/06/2023 19:07

Really interesting those of you mentioning perimenopause, I am getting my oestrogen tested soon as I’ve been having other issues that relate to this. I’m only 32 so it’s being investigated. Ah good, another hormonal issue to deal with.

OP posts:
endofthelinefinally · 02/06/2023 19:08

Smell plus itching sounds like a fungal infection. See your gp.

RobertaFirmino · 02/06/2023 19:09

Same here, noticed this two years ago (am 46 and peri). Started using soap instead of shower gel and changed from Sure to Mitchum. Never a stinky pit since!

Original poster
HellfireClubSandwich · 02/06/2023 19:12

endofthelinefinally · 02/06/2023 19:08

Smell plus itching sounds like a fungal infection. See your gp.

It’s not itchy, it’s just the Driclor that itches

OP posts:
endofthelinefinally · 02/06/2023 19:17

Are you allergic to it? Have you tried Mitchum?

dementedpixie · 02/06/2023 19:17

What's the new deodorant you are using?
Some have changed and removed the aluminium that helps stop the sweat.

I can't use driclor either - makes me want to claw the skin off my armpits

dementedpixie · 02/06/2023 19:19

I don't rate mitchum at all
I use sure maximum that comes in a box

lavenderlou · 02/06/2023 19:20

I had this recently and it turned out to be that the reliable brand of deodorant I had used for years (Mitchum!) has changed its formula and now doesn't work. Are the deodorants you are using ones you have used before?

PinkFootstool · 02/06/2023 19:22

What's the deodorant? Is it an antiperspirant as well?

There's a thread on here about Mitcham changing their products which now smell dreadful on the skin. Is it that?

underneaththeash · 02/06/2023 19:23

In my early thirties I started smelling a few days before my period…I’m 48 and I still do (when I actually have one).
I’ve always been someone who needs to shower daily anyway though.

Mars27 · 02/06/2023 19:28

HellfireClubSandwich · 02/06/2023 18:55

I use a strong deodorant and have been washing my armpits every day, including today and yesterday with a salicylic wash as I’ve read this helps a bit I showered and washed about 7 hours ago, I used a new deodorant and I smell already. I haven’t been sweating.

what can I do? I have some Dricolor but my god it’s sore and itchy. I’ve never had this before? I’m healthy otherwise.

Hi OP, try Perspirex for sensitive skin instead of Driclor (that nearly set my armpits on fire). I swear buckets and smell if if I don't wear it. You put it on at night, wash your pits in the morning and although they say you don't need to apply another anti perspirant I like to give it a spray of Triple Dry after I wash and dry my armpits. In the winter I can get away with the Perspirex only but during summer it has to be both.
Good luck j

Pteryl · 02/06/2023 19:36

Sometimes I get this. Are you sure it’s not just you whose smell changes? At certain points in my cycle I feel like I smell, but my husband (who I have made sniff my armpit!) says I don’t at all. I also get itchy armpits too. I started to use the Wild deodorant and I thought that made my smell different. The Kiehls cream deodorant is soothing, also the Malin and Goetz is good, but a bit wet. Have you tried going without (at a weekend at home with a sleeveless top) to let your armpits recover a bit. I find in hot climates I don’t wear deodorant as I’m in and out of the sea/pool so it never smells stale. Fresh sweat shouldn’t smell.

Pteryl · 02/06/2023 19:40

I also found Driclor horrendous. I stupidly tried it for the first time the night before my first post-graduate interview. I was up all night scrubbing my armpits and crying in pain - no sleep at all!

TinyRebel · 02/06/2023 19:42

I had this recently and think it was down to the environmentally friendly stick deodorant I was using, that comes in a cardboard tube. I stopped using it as it was actually making my armpits peel - sore and weepy, with brown patches. It was gross!
I started using my CeraVe renewing facial cleanser (which contains salicylic acid) on my pits in my morning shower and they are so much better. Stopped using deodorant altogether - just baby powder after washing and it’s absolutely fine.

Are you in a particularly stressful job OP? The only time I’ve ever smelled bad is when I’m really stressed at work and I think it’s down to adrenaline or cortisol or something. It’s

user1472831787898776 · 02/06/2023 19:49

I used to find that every deodorant I used would stop working after a period of time.
During lockdown when I wasn't exactly going anywhere anyway, I started to use a natural deodorant (not through choice. I had an unfortunate incident where a particular roll on practically burnt my armpits and haven't been able to tolerate 'normal' deodorant ever since). There was certainly an adjustment period but I now find that I don't smell nearly as much as I used to.
It was almost as though my sweat was reacting with the deodorants to create an ever worse smell which I don't get anymore. I still have to be careful what I wear and mainly prefer tops that leave my armpits free. Tight fitting sleeves are a big no as I have so many clothes that I simply can't shift the smell from despite multiple white vinegar soaks.

Rubyfw5 · 02/06/2023 19:52

Are you sure it's you and not your clothes? I'm a sweaty and previously smelly woman, I use Sure maximum protection cream antiperspirant, spray the armpits of my clothes with white vinegar before washing them and use bar soap to wash myself. I smell better!

TheWayOfTheWorld · 02/06/2023 20:07

I had this start a few years ago when in my early 40s. Tried loads of deodorants including Mitchum - Sanex roll on saved me. Really lovely fresh smell and just works.

PlantDoctor · 02/06/2023 20:08

I had this for a week or two when I was pregnant, so I second the people saying it is likely hormone related!

highfidelity · 02/06/2023 20:13

HellfireClubSandwich · 02/06/2023 19:07

Really interesting those of you mentioning perimenopause, I am getting my oestrogen tested soon as I’ve been having other issues that relate to this. I’m only 32 so it’s being investigated. Ah good, another hormonal issue to deal with.

I was always fortunate, I never had an issue with body odour and rarely had to use a deodorant or anti-perspirant. However, horrendous body odour was my first perimenopause symptom, and the one that was always the first to return whenever my hormones fluctuated and I knew it was time to review my HRT dosage. If I accidentally forgot to take HRT for a few days of HRT, the odour returns.

Be aware that it might not be your oestrogen levels causing this, for me, it was actually a lack of progesterone. Either way, it's good you're having your hormones looked at - I hope they find the cause of this.