Teenage son has strange smell!

[veronica60]

I know teenage boys aren't well known for their cleanliness, but even quite after soon after showering I often notice a strange smell. He is 17, hardly ever goes out a part from college, and spends most of his time in bed playing video games. Apart from wishing he would go out more he is a really good son. He is lazy, but as an only child most of that is my fault, it is easier for me to do stuff for him. Just puzzled by the 'odd' small. Its not drugs or anything, but could it just be hormonal? Can't think of any other explanation. I have not said anything to him, but my husband moañs to me so he has noticed it too.

If it's not drugs then I imagine it's hormonal.

Open his window every day, make sure he showers daily and changes his clothes regularly.

Gaming is a pain in the neck though; it's so addictive for boys (in particular) of that age.

Agree with imperial, make sure he gets fresh air and showers daily, if it's not drugs it is probably hormones as still growing at that age.

Unlikely but just a follow up thought, it's not a pear drop smell is it? That can indicate ketones being released either through low carbing / diabetes, unlikely but thought I would mention it so you could drag him to GP if so

Probably Lynx. They all reek of it.

Obv clean his sheets and towels regularly. And bed clothes if he wears them .

Check his trainers and for rotting socks underline the bed. Ripening boxers are another potential source.

Obv clean his sheets and towels regularly. And bed clothes if he wears them .

Check his trainers and for rotting socks underline the bed. Ripening boxers are another potential source.

Are you sure it's not drugs?

What sort of smell?
Floral perfume
sharp and metallic
fetid and sweaty
goat's cheese
incense
other?

What does it smell like op?

My teenage boys shower on a regular basis but their rooms still have a particular odour. My eldest grew out of it by the age of around 19.

Probably a sperm smell!

My ds' head used to stink even after a bath. I think he didn't scrub his scalp properly.

He now smells of a perfume shop, he's 18

My son 14 also has the most vile smell about him. Poor kid showers daily, sometimes twice, is obsessive about cleaning his teeth, always wears clean clothes/underwear, washes hair daily and uses anti perspirent. I can't even describe the smell but it's far from pleasant!

Yup, that not scrubbing scalp smell is pervasive.

OP, sniff his scalp, that's what I boiled it down to. Medicated shampoo may help. Or just explain to him he needs to scrub his scalp. ds didn't listen to me

Son showers twice a day,fresh clothes sometimes twice a day and has more smellys than any girl and his room reeks. It's teenage boys I'm afraid . When I have my son and step son together it's just horrendous as it's double trouble. They grow out if it eventually . I'm hoping so As my hubby doesn't smell like it but the kids ( lol) are 21

mine smells like a rodent - quite a strong smell, even though he washes and changes his clothes. Probably pheromones - he gets on well with girls, perhaps they don't notice or maybe find it attractive?

Our teenage sons biologically smell off to their mothers. It's natures way of preventing incest and what not.. as well as shoving them out of the nest.

It's normal and passes when they discover smellys later on

If it's the scalp, buy Nizal shampoo. Make sure he lathers it on generously and then keeps his head out of the water for an entire track of whatever he's listening to before rinsing off.
DS2 had this and still does occasionally. It's apparently fungal. Hideous. Nothing to do with poor hygiene btw, just something anyone can get. Nizal kills it. Not sure if anything else does.

There is one possibility.

Fungal infection.

The same fungus that causes thrush can infect the male pubic region and apparently it gives off an almighty smell. It thrives in warm damp places.

The odour will return within minutes of showering.

Towelling dry properly will help, talc, and loose underwear. If it persists then canister or any thrush treatment cream spread over the affected lumpy bits is a suggested treatment.

Difficult subject to broach. A dad chat about genital hygiene maybe?

ShesYourDaughter - its a condition called Tinea Cruris.

I will let those who wish to do so Google that at their own risk. It is treated very effectively with the same spray as athletes foot spray.

I stand corrected.

Or improved.

Either way the google warning is valid :)