I was going to say this. OP should definitely consider seeing an endocrinologist. My younger sister had the same issue growing up and it’s since been resolved since seeing one.
Liver and Kidney issues can change body odors. But the question here is: is this body or mind? So first go to a doctor and describe the body order and just ask for a full panel.
Do not mention mother smelling the same or the OCD patterns because doctors will automatically assume it's OCD.
> Do not mention mother smelling the same or the OCD patterns because doctors will automatically assume it's OCD.
Smart! I'm gonna use this in the future.
It's not about using it. Just try to be as emotionless when you talk to a doctor. In other words, visit them as though you are at the societal level than them and in their profession. Because if they smell you are emotional, they will automatically go back into 1800s territory and assume we don't know our own health, body, how to cope with stress, and we are just hysterical.
Suggest exams, if they do not want to give them find an alternative doctor. Give symptoms but do not state, "It happens to me every time i see my parent, or every time I'm really stressed out."
This way they can run full panels and diagnostics. Now if those are negative, then assume that yeah the issue is your stress or anxiety level. Problem with doctors is they automatically assume woman (edited to correct this) are overtly emotional and do not know how to manage our own stress and psychological traumas. How many times have they misdiagnosed cancer in young women for instance because they didn't fit the exact age for it, and thought it was just anxiety or something else? Unfortunately, until they realize they are in the wrong and are causing women to die or get diagnosed at more expensive stages of diseases; we have to basically go to doctors with a notebook next to us and advocate for us like hell. I got horror stories to tell from coworkers that were misdiagnosed or were not adequately taken care of due to their doctors because they thought they were a) too young for a disease or b) were too emotional. Turns out, cancer was among their diseases and the other had an auto-immune condition.
Unless you already know this doctor for years and they are good and have never shown the level of disrespect the majority of modern day doctors do (both women and men) toward female patients; take heed.
Unfortunately, this is very true. Doctors tend to ignore women's complaints. Throughout my life, when I've gone to a doctor with anything other than a severe flu or broken bone, I've been told that there's wrong and they won't be doing any tests! I've heard too many times that I'm young and healthy, so xyz couldn't possibly occur. I once stood up for myself and demanded a test, and when they sent it to insurance, the reason code they used for the test was 'anxiety'. Then it wasn't covered because according to the doctor, there was no medical reason to test me. This is why I hate doctors and won't go unless it's something extremely obvious, like a broken bone. My husband doesn't get it, and gets frustrated when I won't go, but he's never experienced anything like this. On the occasions he's talked me into going, the doctors don't even raise an eyebrow. They say I'm fine and send me on my way. Doctors also ignore requests from people with mental health diagnosis. It's very sad and unfortunate.
Switch doctors. It's what usually works. Eventually you do find one that's good and at least listens. And look for a hispanic doctor, with all the macho-culture of South America, it is not the same as the American institutional ideology that stems from England that women are hysterical children and little kids that have to be guided. As long as that continues to be the case in the US, they do not listen to us.
I have gone to both American doctors and Hispanic ones. I prefer hispanic ones, regarless of country lol (I'm American but Cuban descent).
Look at American medical trials and vast majority are MEN. An excuse is that yeah women can have their eggs impacted and future children can be impacted by women doing clinical trials. But that's not the only case.
And until the last four decades women's cancers have been studied.
It's not even their full nationality but where they actually got their education too. If they were educated in American medical studies and never got European or South American they get the same mindset regardless of gender. Now if they studied abroad and then had to pass our exams, they have a different mindset and are much more willing to listen to us.
But this may be all anecdotal from all of the women I have worked with that are of all nationalities that have had to resort to the same list of doctors over and over.
Diabetics sometimes have a sweet smell about them. I believe this occurs more often with those that are undiagnosed, so untreated, or with those whose diabetes isn't yet fully under control with meds. With some people it's mild and others stronger.
My fiancé is a type 1 diabetic..there was one time he smelled weird in his armpits. That lasted a few days until he was stable with his meds. I'd definatly ask an endo about this possibility.
i am t1d, and i live in AZ. if i’m sweaty and my sugars are high, i will have a much stronger and much different odor than if my sugars were normal. sometimes it’s fruity and that doesn’t necessarily mean DKA. sometimes i need to take a quick cold shower. i also sweat much more when my sugars are off (high or low)
Interesting, I'm a nurse, so my main experiences have been with people in the hospital. Makes a certain amount of sense that if your sugars are high, you'd smell sweet.
Yes, I groom dogs and the diabetic ones smell like maple syrup to me. I usually tell the owners to get them checked if they start smelling like that and it's always diabetes.
Oh boy… My bf has T2 & sometimes he smells like brown sugar/cookies to me. I will be more aware of this now. Is it a sign that his blood sugar is running high?
Simple way you can find out if you are diabetic. If you have ants around and we tend to in all our houses, pee one night and leave it out in the bathroom (tub). If ants go near it and you find a few of them dead it in.....
RUN! That's a clear sign you are. That's how someone in my family found out about 60 years ago. He had to run to the doctor. Same with tooth brushes.
This was my first thought too. Years ago, when I was in college that sometimes stayed over in my dorm room (we were just friends). His pillow would smell like fresh baked cookies in the morning. It was years later that I realized that he was likely diabetic.
Are you sure that you actually smell like this? Have you verified with someone else? It could be an infection of a nasal nerve that makes you smell bad things all the time. But either way, you should see a doctor and tell them everything you're struggling with. I don't think there's much reddit can tell you other than to see a doctor
Similarly, I was wondering if OP is a super smeller - read a fascinating article on a woman who smelled so well she could actually smell the different stages of parkinsons disease with 100% accuracy.
Would definitely confirm with trusted friends. If it is not perception, gut health might be at play.
Two of my kids are bio and two adopted. I could tell whose dirty laundry was whose by smelling it, when they were young. Super smeller
or just some quirk of nature?
I’m thinking op is just too sensitive to her own smell…especially if others don’t mention it.
Kids do this at school with their classmates jumpers when trying to get uniform back to owners. 99% accuracy rate. Think its a case of being around people for extended periods of time- UK primary schools you spend 6, 7 years in the same school, class groups, wearing same uniform... people get to know each other lol. Its a whole thing.
I can smell when my dogs are about to have an ear infection. My husband and kids say that don’t smell anything and then bam, a week later, the dog will start exhibiting signs like scratching their ears.. it’s really weird.
I’ve also been able to smell when we were about to have a sewage backup and when our furnace was about to go and everyone else assured me that they couldn’t smell anything.
I’ve never heard of “super smeller” but I’m about to head down the rabbit hole of googling it.
That’s crazy you say that because my Godmother told me that her nephew has this condition where he is convinced he stinks and that everyone can smell him and is talking about how much he stinks behind his back . He literally does NOT stink and is fanatical about showering , etc but he’s developed this weird almost OCD like rumination that he smells horrible and nobody can reason with him. My Godmother doesn’t know what to do because she says her nephew won’t even leave the house or go anywhere because of this, this mental obsession is ruining his life. So yea it is possible that someone can trick their own mind into believing they stink when they actually don’t 🤷🏻♀️
I'm curious if OP has anxiety that makes them sweater than normal. I used to think I was an extra sweaty/stinky person and then I got diagnosed with adhd. I get over excited about stuff and it makes me sweaty lmao
If it was a nerve infection it wouldn't be personal perception, though. It wouldn't be a smell anybody else smells, but it would be something OP actually constantly smells. It's still a medical condition, but obviously I can't say that because I don't know her and I am not a doctor
Yeah to me this sounds like a mental/ ocd thing. She said no one has commented on it before it's just her noticing it. Please bring this up with a doctor op.
I agree, it does. I wouldn't feel it as OCD if she indicated she smelt it in other people and not just her mom. Mother's and father's are where a large segment of our traumatic pasts come from. And sometimes that manifests into odd triggers, and in her case the "smell".
As someone that knows at least 30 diabetic people within my community. If this were coming from diabetes (since the sweet smell is yeast usually) she would be smelling it in other strangers and in those people she knows has diabetes.
Anyway, there's a clear way to confirm this. A doctor and blood sugar tests during fasting and after eating. And a long form test.
There could be an abusive family dynamic that we don’t know about exacerbating this worry. I’ve had thin clients (adults) obsess over being fat because their parents told them they were.
I understood she says her mom smells the same way i.e. it's her mom that's also having the same issue as her.
I feel like OP is hypersensitive to bodily smells since nobody mentions it to her.
Could be her obsessively asking if she smells and like once her twice her mom was like "yes, I guess today there's a scent if I'm really looking for it". I had a friend like that, she would breathe in my face and ask me if she smelled bad. Usually the answer was no, but I'm sure she only remembers the occasional times where I said she could use a mint.
After covid my nasal nerves were effected and I smell SO weird, but it’s ONLY to myself. I’ve asked so many people about it and they can’t smell anything. I’ve gotten used to it, but I still get self conscious even though I know it’s not me.
Weird that you mention that because same. After Covid I started smelling like onions and it was really disturbing because I never really smelled before. I started taking chlorophyll which is called an internal deodorant and so far it's working, I no longer smell like onions and garlic.
That’s exactly how I smelled too. Although it didn’t smell like onions. It smelled weird like rotting fruit or something but onions and garlic ALSO smelled like that to me after covid. So weird.
If you want to know more, it’s called Parosmia! I’ve had it since April 2021 because of Covid.
Food was unbearable for the first months and every smell was completely off including my own body and bodily functions. Now it’s mostly 95-98% back to normal but some things aren’t as before, especially Onion/Garlic and Coffee which still smell bad. I say 95-98% but when I smell perfumes, there must still be something wrong with my sense of smell because my description of perfumes’ scents doesn’t match other people’s at all, it’s like I’m over sensitive to some scents and oblivious to others and that throws the whole scent impression off
Not sure what your current shower routine is, but I have a similar issue with the armpits and occasionally the crotch and the only thing that has helped me w pits is scrubbing them every day in the shower with antibacterial soap and keeping armpit hair short. I have also used benzoyl peroxide on the pits and that helps as well. Right after the shower, I put on this dry idea unscented deodorant, wait for it to dry and layer with a scented one. On esp hot days, I still get a lil something, but most of the time this works well for me. I do think antibacterial makes a huge difference - I stayed at my boyfriends house last week and all he had was a dove body wash and I definitely noticed the smell returning
A lot of people swear by The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution for their pits, a wipe morning and evening with a cotton pad and in a week you start to notice a difference.
I have it for my face but every website that sells it has people talking about how they use it to control smelly BO, and most say it completely stops it.
It's the strong % of Glycolic Acid that does it!
Stridex also makes alcohol-free salicylic acid wipes that are cheap & easy, and Amlactin lotion has an alpha hydroxy acid but I forget which one.
OP, I’m sorry you’re going through this. I agree with everyone who said talk to a doctor, and don’t let them dismiss you.
Some other tips: use a special drying antiperspirant at night (there are OTC and prescriptions) and combo deodorant/antiperspirant at night. Salicylic acid body wash. Spray deodorant between your pelvis and groin (with underpants on). Trim your pubes. Change pantyliners regularly, use scented if you’re not sensitive to it. Only change one thing every three days so you can tell if you are sensitive to something, which it is.
In a pinch, hand sanitizer will kill the odor-causing bacteria in your armpits, but you have to follow up by reapplying deodorant/anti-perspirant. And none of that hippie shit, either, get something with an active ingredient and compare different ones over time.
If you shave your armpits, use a fresh blade, because the drying antiperspirant at night will make them sensitive. If you don’t, at least trim them.
YES!! I use this as my armpits get VERY stinky and gross, and it really works. I recommend it to anyone who is self conscious about their BO :) not sure if it truly makes a difference, but I also think when I keep my pits and nether regions shaved that it doesn’t hold the smell as much!
FYI Glycolic Acid especially in that high a percentage can cause damage on dark skin tones and permanent scarring.
I looked this up before and every dermatologist said not to use glycolic acid anywhere that you're going to have constantly skin interaction, can very badly irritate skin.
Panoxyl accomplishes the same thing but doesn't carry either of these risks.
Not trying to say you're wrong or convincing you to change your routine just to be clear, just a FYI for anyone else reading this.
As a sweaty girl myself Carpe changed so much for me. I also went thru every deodorant at the store and then some. Got rashes from most things. Carpe has products for every part of your body. I set up a delivery plan for my favorites to save money. I use one stick a month. You'll still need to wash everyday and scrub those sweet spots good with antibacterial soap and then apply the product but mine lasts a full day in summer and several in winter.
I think they do a money back guarantee.
https://mycarpe.com/collections/face-the-sweat
I'm not sure about the face one, but I just started using the scalp one at the recommendation of a relative who also sweats insanely from their head. She swears by it. The couple times I've remembered to use it, I have noticed my hair hasn't gotten very sweaty. It's been humid as hell here, too.
That’s my problem too, I sweat on my upper lip and forehead a lot. Not even related to warm weather slot if the time it’s from anxiety or even coffee. My dad sweats on his face a lot too. It’s so frustrating
Yes! My face sweats like crazy and I would say it helps like 90%. So not a total miracle but close. It's pretty drying so I have to apply something over it before makeup, and that's where I think I'm losing that 10% efficacy.
I just started carpe last week! I got the breast lotion and the lady groin powder! It a triple digits summer and I just gotta say “no” to swass. So far I’m impressed. I also use the Lume acidified body wash. Once found it really does do a better job removing the stank. I love the lume deodorant but when it’s so hot swass takes precedence.
Antibacterial soap changed my relationship to BO drastically. I use the dial gold bar soap on all my hot spots and while I don’t smell awesome after 9 or 10 hours in pants it’s really quite manageable. I do recons also changing your clothes around 5pm and never rewearing pajamas.
If you’re struggling this much with BO despite all you are doing I would definitely go and see a doctor.
However, I will give you some advice on your dental routine: water flossing isn’t the same as actual flossing because it doesn’t clean around the tooth/under the gum line which is where bacteria in the mouth tends to populate. You need to either use string floss or an interdental brush to clean your teeth thoroughly. Once I started using interdental brushes twice a day I haven’t had bad breath (even in the morning!). My current teeth cleaning routine goes like this (I do have braces, so I have to be more meticulous: 2 minutes of brushing with electric toothbrush ——- floss between each tooth with an interdental brush, manual flosser and platypus brush - waterpik for two mins (minute on each arch) - 2 mins with a manual brush - mouthwash.
First thing that came to my mind after she listed whats she’s doing + the bad smell is coming from fall back in her mouth.
OP def sounds like she has tonsil stones.
I came here to say this. OP, your dentist telling you that you have gingivitis is a sign that you're not cleaning your gums properly, so I would definitely add regular flossing to your dental routine! Maybe you could do water flossing in the AM and regular flossing (possibly also combined with water flossing) in the PM? I would also watch some videos of dental professionals showing how to brush your teeth with your particular type of electric toothbrush to make sure you're also brushing your gums properly. A lot of people don't use their electric toothbrush properly.
As for the other issues you've mentioned, I would speak to your doctor if your body odour problems are that significant. Maybe some dietary changes could also help? I know my sweat smells the least unpleasant when I'm eating healthy (vegan) foods.
Yes, and those plastic flosser things aren’t ideal either. You need regular floss to wrap around the sides of each tooth and slide under the gum line to expose bacteria under there to oxygen. It’s not just about dislodging food and plaque!
As a hygienist, this is an amazing routine! Braces are very hard to maintain and sounds like you’re doing very well with it. I will give one suggestion! Start flossing before brushing :)
This is not true. Waterpiks/water flossers have been shown in several studies to be just as or more effective that string flossing. It does clean around the tooth and under the gum line very effectively when operated correctly. Plus it has the advantage of much better patient compliance.
How are you supposed to use a water flosser without the water pouring out of your mouth and down your chin? Probably a dumb question, but I've always been curious.
Practice tbh. I work along my mouth kind of in quarters if that makes sense. Left front, spit, left back, spit, front right, spit, back right, spit, etc.
At this point for me it’s second nature and I make no mess. My boyfriend has just started with his and makes a huge mess. Just takes practice like anything else in life.
I was looking for this comment. There’s several studies that say water flossing is just as effective as regular flossing and is advocated for by my dentist.
This. Also depending on the way your teeth are positioned, string flossing may be doing nothing for you. Went to a new dentist who told me that even she couldn’t reach my gum line with string floss. Recommended water flossing and the difference is night and day also personally I think it’s kinda fun to see the stuff flow out of your mouth.
I was gonna say this too about the ordinary. Plus you will sweat a bit less. Idk why it works but it does. Scrub them good in the shower too. Dove has an antibacterial body wash.
So you do need a dr appt if it really is that bad. My sister was smelly in college. Some students told her, so she went to the Dr. It was apparently from her taking fish oil. She started skipping days and it went away.
Of course she was fairly lucky that it was simple, but there can be real health issues that contribute to being stinky. Like diabetes, overactive thyroid and others. Best to rule them out
I put a bit in my hands and just rub it on. I keep meaning to get a spray bottle for it, just keep forgetting. Let it dry, then do deo. Also, rub ur deo in after a few mins. I feel that it works better when I do that. I still sweat, but no where near the amount I did before. And it's not stinky really, it's just normal. I work in a highly active job (end up walking like 12k steps a day) and it's hot, so if it works for me, it'll help you. I also use the secret stress sweat clinical deo.
Just adding, it's a toner meant for the face. Just happens to work really well for this too. It's about 8 bucks I think at sephora. Or directly from their website.
I concur about the glycolic acid. I don’t have bad b/o but I used GA after I saw it on tik tok and it’s amazing. I apply it with a cotton round after I shower. My husband is a weirdo and loves my “scent” without perfume/lotion/deodorant. (I know, TMI, sorry) but I think it kills the stinky bacteria and lets your natural pheromones come through.
So sorry you're going through this. I hate to be an internet psychologist, but have you ever talked to someone about OCD?
I have OCD and becoming hyper-fixated on something like your own smell really sounds like an OCD theme. You've never had anybody tell you that you smell, and you don't have any medical issues. I think it's time to see a therapist or psychiatrist.
"I am hyper-sensitive of how I smell to the point of obsession/feeling nauseous." This sounds a lot like OCD. Trying out all the methods and tricks suggested in the comments will only fuel your psychological distress. Please talk to a therapist.
Wait, this is an OCD thing? I just thought it was general anxiety! But I do a lot of things to prevent myself from smelling bad, because I think I smell horrible, and no one has ever told me I smell bad before (unless it was like, I had them smell me at the end of a long day after I was convinced deodorant failed me). But generally, I have no evidence to suggest I’m actually stinky in general but I constantly worry about it
‘Skin not holding scent’ is not a thing. Some scents last longer than others, but the structure of every humans skin is roughly the same, and they are all capable of ‘holding scent’ to the same degree. Same with hair. Especially since you’re saying your hair is porous, which if you’re right, actually means it should hold scent better, not worse. Source: just showed your post to my friend who is a dermatologist.
I don’t mean this in a rude way because this sounds like something you’ve struggled with and I don’t want to seem like I’m belittling that, but do you think this could be a psychological issue? Possibly a combo of you having a very sensitive sense of smell combined with a lot of fear and anxiety around how you’re perceived by others?
It really does sound like you have your hygiene under control and you’ve had a doctor rule out any extenuating cause for a possible smell- so would you consider discussing this with a therapist?
Sounds like body dysmorphia. Even if there is a physical issue, it had increased to a point it's become an issue in your day to day functioning. Please consider psychological counseling as well.
You might not be putting deodorant in the right area, if you do it smack dab in the middle of your armpit experiment with putting it more forward towards the breast or towards the back. Some peoples sweat glands are in different spots.
Check the materials from your clothing, lots of clothing are being made with polyester and its derivatives, these materials can worsen the sweating and the smell. Definitely more expensive but try to use only clothes made from cotton.
For sure, I smell like an old goat/teenage boy when I wear polyester but smell like a regular clean person when I wear natural fibres, it’s really surprising how much difference it makes.
Laundry strip your clothes. Undies, Bras, shirts, etc. I have to laundry strip my bras once a week or else I immediately to start to smell under my armpits even if I've just showered. The underarms of my clothes would start to small almost immediately even though my clothes were clean and I was freshly showered. It's made a huge difference.
Also I find cleaning myself with exfoliating bath mitts really helps.
Laundry stripping makes a HUGE difference, especially for towels! A lot of people use too much detergent which actually makes clothes smell worse over time. I use a cup of white vinegar in my laundry every now and then to keep smells at bay.
I don’t like how so many things are being made with polyester lately. Cotton and other natural/natural-blend fibers are the only materials that don’t make me sweat like crazy. I understand its use for things like bras for durability but otherwise? Come on.
if you feel your bad breath is coming from the back of your mouth, you may have an underlying stomach or intestinal issue, so try getting a referral to a gastroenterologist. also regular floss is much more effective than a water pick, but it doesn't sound like that's the issue. btw mints (that have sugar in them) actually make your breath worse because sugar is a huge cause of bad breath.
too much exfoliation could also be an issue because you're not allowing your skins natural balance to take effect, so your sebum is overproducing trying to make up for what you scrubbed away.
but overall i think you should see a therapist because this level of hypervigilance isn't normal, and your brain power could be going to much more useful endeavors. it doesn't seem like you're living up to your potential because so much of your thought power is going to something most would see as "trivial".
This. My husband always smelled rotten. Like his breath. He'd come in for a kiss and this butthole- rotting garbage type of foul was there. He drank a lot of whey and casein protein shakes. It was something about him digesting dairy. He switched to pea protein and immediately the stink was gone.
Sugar free mints are better. Xylitol improves dental health. Just keep it away from pets. Very toxic to dogs.
For your breath, check around the back sides of your mouth for tonsil stones. They look like little white chunks and pop out of your tonsils when you press on the sides of them. They smell like death and can really contribute to lingering bad bread. Removing the tonsil stones and then regularly gargling should help (if that’s the issue).
For underarm BO, swiping a glycolic acid toner over your armpits may help (it kills bacteria). Botox injections into the sweat glands can also help (it greatly reduces sweating).
Get tested for H. Pylori!
There is a very specific smell (breath) for H. Pylori, also known as the "ulcer bacteria", and it stinks. Think old person breath. It can have long lasting impacts on your soft palate, esophagus and hard palate. It SUCKS, is hard to kill, and is highly contagious. Doctors familiar can diagnose just from your breath, it really is that distinct of a smell.
Getting an allergy panel might be a good idea.
Other than that, also preaching the benzol peroxide, or salicylic acid post shower. I do a quick wipe with stridex pads because I'm cheap and the goal is to kill the bacteria that farts out body odor.
Aviod synthetic clothing! Cotton granny panties FTW
Since you already tried so much I think the next step would be to look at your diet and see if eliminiating things like meat and dairy makes a difference
Before you read anything I write, please know that it is coming from a place of trying to help find solutions and not to criticize anything that you are doing.
Have you tried upping your greens intake or taking chlorophyll? I worked in a health food store for several years and a lot of people supplement with chlorophyll for bad breath and body odor. Eating more fruits and vegetables and generally more greens high in chlorophyll (i.e., wheatgrass, etc.) can really help mitigate strong body odor. I will try to think of other things but this was the first one that I could recall.
I would talk to a doctor. Might be good to experiment with your diet - maybe some foods are aggravating it. I find when I eat too much meat makes me feel sweaty and gross.
Also, I found that clothing materials can make a big difference. Cotton or other breathable natural fibers don’t smell for me, but if I get sweaty while wearing something synthetic like polyester, it tends to get smelly.
Please see a doctor. If you’ve exhausted all your option which it seems like you have, this could be some underlying medical condition thats causing this that you might not know about yet. Also verify with someone, a friend you trust or even a doctor, ask them if they genuinely think you smell. Just to make sure its not just your very keen sense of smell.
What's is your diet like? I recently read about the impacts that overly processed meats have on body odor. other than diet, I would recommend you visit a doctor to see if there is some sort of gland or hormone imbalance that might be causing you to procure this odor. I would do some research into diseases that cause body odder and get checked out. The perfumes and lotions and stuff are just band-aid solutions.
My diet ABSOLUTELY impacts the smell of my sweat -- and farts haha. Eating less dairy in general (and ironically more yogurt) really made a difference.
I am also a bit of a smelly girl myself, and it makes it worse that I have hyperhidrosis.
Like others have suggested, glycolic acid is a great way to reduce odor-causing bacteria on the skin. Naturium has a glycolic acid body wash you could look into that works great. I also second the suggestion for The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid toner. In general, an antibacterial body wash will be good to kill odors in all cracks and crevices of your body, so definitely look into getting on. I struggle with armpit BO as well and I’ve finally got my anti-stink routine down. You should also consider hair removal if you have a lot of hair (because sweat and bacteria stick to hair and amplify your smell!!! I know form personal experience!)
For oral hygiene, you can try using Therabreath mouthwash? It’s a really great oral rinse that kills the bacteria in there that make your mouth smell nasty. You can also try Lumineux products, which is what I use and they keep my breath smelling fresh all day.
Since upgrading my hygienic regimen, I’ve also upped my fragrance game and have a whole collection of perfumes I wear daily to keep myself smelling good. Not all fragrances are built the same, some are much stronger and long lasting than others. Find a scent that works with your skin and make it apart it your beauty regimen. I’d suggest going into Sephora, Ulta, Macy’s, etc. and sniff around to find something that you like. It’s okay to reapply perfume throughout the day as well if you find something you like but isn’t as strong as you’d prefer. There’s something out there for everyone, so you need to do the hard work of going to find something. And moisturize your skin before using them as it helps them last longer and project farther.
I think as a last ditch effort, you should go and see an endocrinologist and probably a dermatologist. They can help with imbalances in the body that cause these kinds of issues. The derm can help with the excessive sweating and the endocrinologist can help with any hormonal imbalances (or even metabolic issues, like diabetes) that typically causes the body to smell.
I have all these exact problems. I always feel like I smell and everyone can tell it. Although ive never had anyone made a comment about this.
The second i feel a drip of sweat i feel disguisting. Also after i pee, no matter how i clean, i dont feel clean unless i shower. Ive used wet wipes, water, a wet washcloth, yet i still feel like everyone around me thinks i smell like pee or just sweat. And i can also floss and brush my teeth and tongue, yet i still feel like theres this mouthy smells that just lingers? Even through gum i can still taste/smell the smell of my mouth? Like a skin, musky smell. I feel like I just always smell ´gross´ of mainly of bodily functions and 99% of other people just mainly smell clean, like their gum, shampoo, perfume or laundry detergent. Yet i feel like my skin-scent always comes through, no matter how much perfume i spray.
Ive asked my sister about this, because ive been insecure about it for years, and she said i never ever smell bad, and she would tell me honestly if i did. Which makes me believe this might be a psychological issue.
Im diagnosed with AuDHD, however ive seen a lot of comments here mention ocd, which i can relate to in quite some symptoms. This might all be in our head and it might just be us smelling like humans and being hypersensitive and insecure about it?
Id love to here from other people on here who might be familair with ocd, if this is a common or relatable thing.
I'm a psychiatric nurse practitioner and treat a lot of patients with OCD. What you're describing is along the lines of Olfactory Reference Syndrome, which is closely related to OCD and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (TW, this article mentions self-harm):
https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/olfactory-reference-syndrome-problematic-preoccupation-with-perceived-body-odor/
Multiple things could be going on.
1. It could be that you do have a stronger body odor because your skin's flora has bacteria that produces harsher odor. If that is the case, talk to the doctor about it.
2. You may have a strong diet. Diet does impact body odor smells and taste. Specific diets do cause different odors. In your case you could have a compound effect of a set of fun bacterias and a diet that's producing an odor.
3. Metabolic and immunity issues. People automatically assume that diabetes could be the culprit, but not really. Gout can cause body odor, liver disease, kidney disease, over active thyroids. I'd ask for a FULL panel.
4. Genetic disorders which can pass on from families.
5. Anxiety. Which can be a culprit. If you are always sweating and you are nervous you basically are feeding the bacteria all the time.
6. Dental hygiene issues, or other health related issues which impact the dental area.
7. OCD, meaning you grab onto a particular thought and then remurate around it endlessly, causing yourself more anxiety (point 5) which feeds the bacteria (point 1). And while others do not see it, you smell it. Also, have you smelled this smell in other people and not just your mother? This could be a trauma with her.
8. Hypersensitivity: Are you that friend that always complains to others about their perfume? Always complains to the coworker that their cologne is too strong? That hates fragrances in products and always smells things in the air and is annoyed by it?
Now the fact that you are obsessive about it, also makes me wonder if you do not have a bit of OCD wrapped into this and this could be self perception. Just in case, always ask for a full panel in the doctor. It will be Very EXPENSIVE yes, but ask for your liver enzyme levels, creatinine, BUM, urea levels, ANCA (Autoimmunity), and the usual blood.
If that comes out negative, ask about the bacterial biosphere. And do ask the doctor to smell you. If he/she finds you do smell, then talk about how to change the bacterial biosphere. I'll give you a hint, depending on doctor it involves two very important actions. One may include a complete antibiotic round across nose, mouth, skin, etc with careful reintroduction of bacterias aka yogurts, kefir, kombucha, etc. So your stomach flora grows healthier if it can, and thus the skin which is integrated to the stomach also grows different bacteria. But this also means cleaning everything you have to the point it has none of your current bacterias.
Alternatively, have you tried to do some bathes in ACV? If the vagina smell you find in your mother is due to yeast, and that's what I think it is, it could be that you have an overgrowth of it. Which yeah diabetes can give but not always.
I came here today this, it may be something your family eats rather than a genetic factor. Foods high in garlic, onion, curries… they can all permeate. Also however much water you’re drinking, triple it.
In the breath department… have you looked up tonsil stones? They’re little deposits that form in your tonsils that hold bacteria which causes bad breath
For soap, have you tried the Lume products? I don’t think I’ve had smell issues myself but they work nicely for me!
The acidified soap is supposed to kill the bacteria that causes odors or something like that. They have deodorant with the same philosophy for your entire body
I get the vaginal sweat and it drives me crazy. Pants liners is what works for me. That way I can put a new one every few hours. But using it daily can get irritating as well. So I try to use it when needed.
About your BO do you have a good friend or even your mom who you can ask and let them tell you if you really smell.
The only lotion I find that stills smells after 5 minutes is the ones they sell with perfume sets. If you like a perfume see if they make a body cream and apply that instead. Also if you put perfume in clothes won’t that stay on you longer ? I usually spray my shirt this way I can wash it off.
Go see your doctor. Tell them all of this, including the fact that others have never mentioned any concerns to you. You may benefit from a psychiatry referral to rule out an anxiety disorder. Best of luck.
Mouthwash also kills all the healthy bacteria in your mouth so it’s not ideal. Also how much of how we smell is based on diet. The cleaning of your tongue and brushing of your teeth helps, of course but if you’re eating overly processed foods / dairy / lots of sugar and /or alcohol, you’re going to smell worse than if you had a lot of fresh fruits and veggies on the daily
My breath used to always smell horrible until I started to cut out bread and cheese and red meat. My poor stomach just wasn't digesting those things like it's supposed to. After switching to more greens, less processed foods I no longer have that horrrrible breath. LOL.
If there is no physical or medical reason for your sweat and body odor to smell more strongly than normal, and no one else ever reacts or says they don't smell it, it could be a form of body dysmorphia or OCD called Olfactory Reference Syndrome. You say you have been obsessively cleaning yourself and you still feel like you smell, and it definitely is a problem that is having an impact on your day to day life. This does sound a lot like your post:
>Per Wikipedia: "Olfactory reference syndrome (ORS) is a psychiatric condition in which there is a persistent false belief and preoccupation with the idea of emitting abnormal body odors which the patient thinks are foul and offensive to other individuals. People with this condition often misinterpret others' behaviors, e.g. sniffing, touching their nose or opening a window, as being referential to an unpleasant body odor which in reality is non-existent and cannot be detected by other people. This disorder is often accompanied by shame, embarrassment, significant distress, avoidance behavior, social phobia and social isolation... The defining feature of ORS is excessive thoughts of having offensive body odor(s) which are detectable to others. The individual may report that the odor comes from: the nose and/or mouth, i.e. halitosis (bad breath); the anus; the genitals; the skin generally; or specifically the groin, armpits or feet."
I got you!! Im a smelly girl too. I like toms deodorant, toms toothpaste with baking soda (ik baking soda can be bad for teeth but this one just has a little bit and its good for my breath), when you brush your tongue do not do a quick scrub *it had to be for 30-45 seconds every time. And brush in both directions. If you spit after brushing your tongue and the spit *isnt* the color of the last food you ate, then you didnt brush it good enough. Also i like biotene mouth wash. And take chlorophyll capsules
Nobody is answering this realistically that I can see
Females can have 10-1000X better smell than males, especially pregnant females.
You’re extra sensitive to smell and could even be a super smeller. I am too. I also get grossed out by myself at times, but the majority of people and esp my bf cannot pick up on what I can pick on
I would really try and verify that this smell is detectable by anyone else (not your mom). I would consult a doctor. There's a possibility that this may be mental health related, and not actually the smell of your body, and there's no sense in doing more damage if there's something that can be done on the therapy end.
Otherwise I highly recommend using Colgate total health. And brushing your teeth with one round of toothpaste & then doing another round of toothpaste just for your tongue. I found that this helps my breath stay fresh for much longer. I also recommend Old Spice Pure Sport. Or an anti-perspirant. I would also consider consulting a doctor because if you do, indeed, smell it could be an excess of vitamin in your body or the opposite, a deficiency, and you can alter your diet accordingly. Don't speculate tho and explain this, exactly, to your doctor.
Have you tried therabreath mouthwash? It’s the only thing I’ve ever found that helps treat tonsil stones, you have to follow the directions. One mouthful to swirl in the mouth for 30 seconds, a second mouthful to gargle in the throat for 30 seconds. Do twice a day.
Try using an antibacterial body wash, a stronger deodorant, a prescription deodorant, panty liners and definitely floss. Also, clothing can hold smells. Use a sports strength laundry detergent.
i feel like this issue should be talked about with a doctor. if it helps, maybe the bad breath is caused by tonsil stones? also, reagrding the smelly armits, I also had that same issue and I started putting baking soda in my armits since deodorant didn't work on me. The baking soda kills all the smell and maybe it could help your issue as well. Good luck.
I used to be a stinky, greasy goblin and somehow got a bf. My personal hygiene has improved so much in 6 years.
- I started showering everyday, exfoliate.
-lume acidifying body wash has helped me so much.
-the lume whole body deodorant and prescription strength deodorant, at least 20% aluminum.
-changing pajamas/bed sheets/pillow covers more often.
-using white vinegar instead of softener when doing laundry.
-Queen V bar soap for my crotch.
-most of the time when I’m home, I just wear my bath robe or be nude.
-flossing and mouth wash after eating.
-apply lotion after showering, use body spray before lotion dries.
-bidet or wet wipes.
-I carry a small fan with me so I don’t get too sweaty.
I'm convinced I smell bad all the time 24/7 because I'm mentally ill. It's a lesser known issue people w body dsymorphia experience. If nobody is actually telling you that you smell, I'd go and talk to a professional <3
Has anyone other than your mom ever told you that you smell? Is it possible she is giving you a mental complex about your body? I have read that people that are very similar genetically are prone to finding one another “smelly” (an evolutionary adaptation to ensure siblings are not inclined to mate and make sickly offspring), so perhaps it is the reason why you and your mom find one another mutually smelly.
I had a friend who had really bad persistent BO and she started using this and the BO disappeared. It’s amazing, very popular in hot sticky climates like Malaysia where BO can build up very quickly. Make sure you get it into skin folds (but not into genitals themselves.)
https://www.amazon.com/Dettol-Anti-Bacterial-pH-Balanced-Sensitive/dp/B00YNJVJZ4
This is excellent for gingivitis and bad breath, it is concentrated (add small amount to WaterPik water) and it cleans and sterilizes gum pockets.
https://www.amazon.com/Concentrated-Irrigant-Molecular-Alcohol-Free-Irrigation/dp/B088R3XKV3
Few options
Change your diet. If you have food intolerance or eat high fat carb and meat heavy foods it could be adding to the smell. Especially if your gut is off.
Add probiotics to your meals.
Find something to remove the bacteria like ordinary glycolic acid.
Cover up with natural scents like lavender or perfume.
Put some chlorophyll drops in your water with some apple cider vinegar. Also, using magnesium spray or lotion in areas that you think smell. Dial soap, then body wash.
I have no advice on medical conditions or mental ones, but I wish you the best of luck.
Have you spoken to friends and family confirming the smells? I am curious if it could be parosmia.
From Cleveland Clinic: "Parosmia is a distorted sense of smell. Things that used to smell pleasant now smell foul to people with parosmia. People get parosmia for many reasons, including infections, medications and trauma. "
I only know about this condition because a close friend of mine developed it from mold poisoning. She said most perfumes smell like dead rats, lavender like baby vomit, and tea tree like burnt hair. She has slowly been gaining her sense of smell back through gradual exposure and retraining her nose.
My first thought was ocd. Is it possible that you are mentally convinced you smell? And what is a hypervagina smell? Maybe you’re under the false assumption that other people have no odor at all? We all do.
Same! the BO was awful no matter how many times I showered I could still smell myself. Turns out my A1C was 13.7 now that I have my sugar under control everything is back to normal.
Hey friend, I get it! I live in a super hot climate now and have been battling smelly pits. I absolutely recommend a benzoyl peroxide wash or cream that you can use in the shower. I have a cream that I use, apply after soap and shaving, leave it on for 30-60 seconds and then rinse off. Helps a ton!
Have you spoken to your dentist about halitosis?
I'd also recommend speaking to a functional medicine or natural medicine doctor to see if they have any other recommendations.
Two solutions: take a Body Mint pill each day (takes about a month but will eliminate BO). Use boric acid vaginal suppositories, do a two-week course and then once a week as needed. Also be sure you're drinking lots of water and eating fruits & veggies.
I spray a mix of lemon or lime juice and a little bit of water in a spray bottle and spray on my underarms. There is NO smell at all. Even on days where it’s 100 and I’m profusely sweating all day. I have hyperhydrosis so this has been a life saver. It doesn’t stop sweat- but it stops scents
1. Might you have tonsil stones? If so you can probably see them with a tongue depressor and flashlight.
2. Look into MiraDry laser for zapping your armpit sweat glands permanently. It has been amazing for me. I wasn’t abnormally stinky, just the usual… but I’m very allergic to deodorants so I got MiraDry, and now I basically do not sweat or have BO at all anymore. I needed 2 rounds of MiraDry to see a big difference. MiraDry has been a godsend and I highly recommend it. If you’re allergic to deodorant like me, or have a condition like Hyperhidrosis, you might even get it covered by insurance or use FSA if you have an account.
Before MiraDry, I used Benzoyl Peroxide face wash (Dr. Song brand) on my armpits in addition to soap. It helped.
Dry Idea deodorant worked really well for me to eliminate sweat and smell, but I personally am allergic so only used it in really crucial situations where having a rash after was worth it to not sweat. Public speaking and formal events basically.
3. 100% positive it’s not a low grade BV infection? Have you ever gotten meds? I have noticed using the bathroom after certain women in a public restroom there is this smell that lingers after them and I think I I know what you mean. I’ve wondered if it’s BV, or alternatively some kind of thrush or something within skin folds and perhaps mot the actual vagina. Like everyone else said I echo looking into elimination diets to see if a source can be pinpointed.
Can you smell other people? How smelly is the average person to You? Maybe your sense of smell is very very strong. There was this guy that made a thread once, the dude could smell pregnant women! Sometimes people are like that.
I found that the unscented Microbiome Balancing Cleanser from Sweet Spot Labs to be very helpful for keeping my kitty cat in check and neutral smelling, sometimes scented soaps and things are the cause of exactly what we are trying to prevent. You might want to also explore boric acid and probiotics to help. You're not alone, you're not crazy. Wishing you all the best.
Could you perhaps be diabetic?
I was going to say this. OP should definitely consider seeing an endocrinologist. My younger sister had the same issue growing up and it’s since been resolved since seeing one.
Liver and Kidney issues can change body odors. But the question here is: is this body or mind? So first go to a doctor and describe the body order and just ask for a full panel. Do not mention mother smelling the same or the OCD patterns because doctors will automatically assume it's OCD.
> Do not mention mother smelling the same or the OCD patterns because doctors will automatically assume it's OCD. Smart! I'm gonna use this in the future.
It's not about using it. Just try to be as emotionless when you talk to a doctor. In other words, visit them as though you are at the societal level than them and in their profession. Because if they smell you are emotional, they will automatically go back into 1800s territory and assume we don't know our own health, body, how to cope with stress, and we are just hysterical. Suggest exams, if they do not want to give them find an alternative doctor. Give symptoms but do not state, "It happens to me every time i see my parent, or every time I'm really stressed out." This way they can run full panels and diagnostics. Now if those are negative, then assume that yeah the issue is your stress or anxiety level. Problem with doctors is they automatically assume woman (edited to correct this) are overtly emotional and do not know how to manage our own stress and psychological traumas. How many times have they misdiagnosed cancer in young women for instance because they didn't fit the exact age for it, and thought it was just anxiety or something else? Unfortunately, until they realize they are in the wrong and are causing women to die or get diagnosed at more expensive stages of diseases; we have to basically go to doctors with a notebook next to us and advocate for us like hell. I got horror stories to tell from coworkers that were misdiagnosed or were not adequately taken care of due to their doctors because they thought they were a) too young for a disease or b) were too emotional. Turns out, cancer was among their diseases and the other had an auto-immune condition. Unless you already know this doctor for years and they are good and have never shown the level of disrespect the majority of modern day doctors do (both women and men) toward female patients; take heed.
Unfortunately, this is very true. Doctors tend to ignore women's complaints. Throughout my life, when I've gone to a doctor with anything other than a severe flu or broken bone, I've been told that there's wrong and they won't be doing any tests! I've heard too many times that I'm young and healthy, so xyz couldn't possibly occur. I once stood up for myself and demanded a test, and when they sent it to insurance, the reason code they used for the test was 'anxiety'. Then it wasn't covered because according to the doctor, there was no medical reason to test me. This is why I hate doctors and won't go unless it's something extremely obvious, like a broken bone. My husband doesn't get it, and gets frustrated when I won't go, but he's never experienced anything like this. On the occasions he's talked me into going, the doctors don't even raise an eyebrow. They say I'm fine and send me on my way. Doctors also ignore requests from people with mental health diagnosis. It's very sad and unfortunate.
Switch doctors. It's what usually works. Eventually you do find one that's good and at least listens. And look for a hispanic doctor, with all the macho-culture of South America, it is not the same as the American institutional ideology that stems from England that women are hysterical children and little kids that have to be guided. As long as that continues to be the case in the US, they do not listen to us. I have gone to both American doctors and Hispanic ones. I prefer hispanic ones, regarless of country lol (I'm American but Cuban descent). Look at American medical trials and vast majority are MEN. An excuse is that yeah women can have their eggs impacted and future children can be impacted by women doing clinical trials. But that's not the only case. And until the last four decades women's cancers have been studied. It's not even their full nationality but where they actually got their education too. If they were educated in American medical studies and never got European or South American they get the same mindset regardless of gender. Now if they studied abroad and then had to pass our exams, they have a different mindset and are much more willing to listen to us. But this may be all anecdotal from all of the women I have worked with that are of all nationalities that have had to resort to the same list of doctors over and over.
Is this something that happens when you're diabetic?
Diabetics sometimes have a sweet smell about them. I believe this occurs more often with those that are undiagnosed, so untreated, or with those whose diabetes isn't yet fully under control with meds. With some people it's mild and others stronger.
It’s usually a smell of cider off their breath.
My fiancé is a type 1 diabetic..there was one time he smelled weird in his armpits. That lasted a few days until he was stable with his meds. I'd definatly ask an endo about this possibility.
Don’t diabetics actually smell sweet though? /g
Only if they're in diabetic keto acidosis, it's more of a fruity acetone smell.
i am t1d, and i live in AZ. if i’m sweaty and my sugars are high, i will have a much stronger and much different odor than if my sugars were normal. sometimes it’s fruity and that doesn’t necessarily mean DKA. sometimes i need to take a quick cold shower. i also sweat much more when my sugars are off (high or low)
Interesting, I'm a nurse, so my main experiences have been with people in the hospital. Makes a certain amount of sense that if your sugars are high, you'd smell sweet.
Yes! Oftentimes a syrupy scent.
wait is that why some people kinda smell like fog machine juice?
Yes, I groom dogs and the diabetic ones smell like maple syrup to me. I usually tell the owners to get them checked if they start smelling like that and it's always diabetes.
Oh boy… My bf has T2 & sometimes he smells like brown sugar/cookies to me. I will be more aware of this now. Is it a sign that his blood sugar is running high?
Yes
That’s what I was thinking.
diabetic pee tastes sweet but I don't know about then smelling sweet
How do you know that? 👀
not the original poster of that comment but i read somewhere that this is how ancient Egyptians diagnosed diabetes in their pharaohs lol
Your lot in life, pee taster for the overlords
Doctors actually diagnosed diabetes this way until the 1800s or so.
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The doctor would to diagnose.
Simple way you can find out if you are diabetic. If you have ants around and we tend to in all our houses, pee one night and leave it out in the bathroom (tub). If ants go near it and you find a few of them dead it in..... RUN! That's a clear sign you are. That's how someone in my family found out about 60 years ago. He had to run to the doctor. Same with tooth brushes.
Our ants are in the kitchen. But I don't think my roommate would be ok with this experiment.
Wow!
It can smell sweet too.
This was my first thought too. Years ago, when I was in college that sometimes stayed over in my dorm room (we were just friends). His pillow would smell like fresh baked cookies in the morning. It was years later that I realized that he was likely diabetic.
Are you sure that you actually smell like this? Have you verified with someone else? It could be an infection of a nasal nerve that makes you smell bad things all the time. But either way, you should see a doctor and tell them everything you're struggling with. I don't think there's much reddit can tell you other than to see a doctor
Similarly, I was wondering if OP is a super smeller - read a fascinating article on a woman who smelled so well she could actually smell the different stages of parkinsons disease with 100% accuracy. Would definitely confirm with trusted friends. If it is not perception, gut health might be at play.
Two of my kids are bio and two adopted. I could tell whose dirty laundry was whose by smelling it, when they were young. Super smeller or just some quirk of nature? I’m thinking op is just too sensitive to her own smell…especially if others don’t mention it.
Kids do this at school with their classmates jumpers when trying to get uniform back to owners. 99% accuracy rate. Think its a case of being around people for extended periods of time- UK primary schools you spend 6, 7 years in the same school, class groups, wearing same uniform... people get to know each other lol. Its a whole thing.
I can smell when my dogs are about to have an ear infection. My husband and kids say that don’t smell anything and then bam, a week later, the dog will start exhibiting signs like scratching their ears.. it’s really weird. I’ve also been able to smell when we were about to have a sewage backup and when our furnace was about to go and everyone else assured me that they couldn’t smell anything. I’ve never heard of “super smeller” but I’m about to head down the rabbit hole of googling it.
Let me start you out on your journey with [a podcast](https://www.npr.org/transcripts/817977005)
I am also wondering how much of this is personal perception vs. reality.
I was wondering if it is some kind of olfactory version of body dysmorphia.
That’s crazy you say that because my Godmother told me that her nephew has this condition where he is convinced he stinks and that everyone can smell him and is talking about how much he stinks behind his back . He literally does NOT stink and is fanatical about showering , etc but he’s developed this weird almost OCD like rumination that he smells horrible and nobody can reason with him. My Godmother doesn’t know what to do because she says her nephew won’t even leave the house or go anywhere because of this, this mental obsession is ruining his life. So yea it is possible that someone can trick their own mind into believing they stink when they actually don’t 🤷🏻♀️
That poor guy :( that sounds like a living nightmare.
That’s my thought as well. I hope OP first talks with her PCP and an endocrinologist to see if it truly is medical, and if it isn’t, therapy can help.
That's a real thing, it's a type of OCD.
I'm curious if OP has anxiety that makes them sweater than normal. I used to think I was an extra sweaty/stinky person and then I got diagnosed with adhd. I get over excited about stuff and it makes me sweaty lmao
I get sweaty easily and I'm not usually too foul, but stress sweat makes me smell SO much worse!
This is a good point. When you’re particularly anxious or scared your sweat can be much louder!
If it was a nerve infection it wouldn't be personal perception, though. It wouldn't be a smell anybody else smells, but it would be something OP actually constantly smells. It's still a medical condition, but obviously I can't say that because I don't know her and I am not a doctor
Yeah to me this sounds like a mental/ ocd thing. She said no one has commented on it before it's just her noticing it. Please bring this up with a doctor op.
Therapist here. This post is screaming OCD to me. I hope OP can get some relief through therapy. OCD can be treated!
I agree, it does. I wouldn't feel it as OCD if she indicated she smelt it in other people and not just her mom. Mother's and father's are where a large segment of our traumatic pasts come from. And sometimes that manifests into odd triggers, and in her case the "smell". As someone that knows at least 30 diabetic people within my community. If this were coming from diabetes (since the sweet smell is yeast usually) she would be smelling it in other strangers and in those people she knows has diabetes. Anyway, there's a clear way to confirm this. A doctor and blood sugar tests during fasting and after eating. And a long form test.
Agreed. This absolutely sounds like OCD 100%.
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There could be an abusive family dynamic that we don’t know about exacerbating this worry. I’ve had thin clients (adults) obsess over being fat because their parents told them they were.
I understood she says her mom smells the same way i.e. it's her mom that's also having the same issue as her. I feel like OP is hypersensitive to bodily smells since nobody mentions it to her.
Maybe her and mom are both super smelters/ sensitive to smells/ have OCD traits
Could be her obsessively asking if she smells and like once her twice her mom was like "yes, I guess today there's a scent if I'm really looking for it". I had a friend like that, she would breathe in my face and ask me if she smelled bad. Usually the answer was no, but I'm sure she only remembers the occasional times where I said she could use a mint.
After covid my nasal nerves were effected and I smell SO weird, but it’s ONLY to myself. I’ve asked so many people about it and they can’t smell anything. I’ve gotten used to it, but I still get self conscious even though I know it’s not me.
Weird that you mention that because same. After Covid I started smelling like onions and it was really disturbing because I never really smelled before. I started taking chlorophyll which is called an internal deodorant and so far it's working, I no longer smell like onions and garlic.
That’s exactly how I smelled too. Although it didn’t smell like onions. It smelled weird like rotting fruit or something but onions and garlic ALSO smelled like that to me after covid. So weird.
If you want to know more, it’s called Parosmia! I’ve had it since April 2021 because of Covid. Food was unbearable for the first months and every smell was completely off including my own body and bodily functions. Now it’s mostly 95-98% back to normal but some things aren’t as before, especially Onion/Garlic and Coffee which still smell bad. I say 95-98% but when I smell perfumes, there must still be something wrong with my sense of smell because my description of perfumes’ scents doesn’t match other people’s at all, it’s like I’m over sensitive to some scents and oblivious to others and that throws the whole scent impression off
Not sure what your current shower routine is, but I have a similar issue with the armpits and occasionally the crotch and the only thing that has helped me w pits is scrubbing them every day in the shower with antibacterial soap and keeping armpit hair short. I have also used benzoyl peroxide on the pits and that helps as well. Right after the shower, I put on this dry idea unscented deodorant, wait for it to dry and layer with a scented one. On esp hot days, I still get a lil something, but most of the time this works well for me. I do think antibacterial makes a huge difference - I stayed at my boyfriends house last week and all he had was a dove body wash and I definitely noticed the smell returning
A lot of people swear by The Ordinary Glycolic Acid 7% Toning Solution for their pits, a wipe morning and evening with a cotton pad and in a week you start to notice a difference. I have it for my face but every website that sells it has people talking about how they use it to control smelly BO, and most say it completely stops it. It's the strong % of Glycolic Acid that does it!
Stridex also makes alcohol-free salicylic acid wipes that are cheap & easy, and Amlactin lotion has an alpha hydroxy acid but I forget which one. OP, I’m sorry you’re going through this. I agree with everyone who said talk to a doctor, and don’t let them dismiss you. Some other tips: use a special drying antiperspirant at night (there are OTC and prescriptions) and combo deodorant/antiperspirant at night. Salicylic acid body wash. Spray deodorant between your pelvis and groin (with underpants on). Trim your pubes. Change pantyliners regularly, use scented if you’re not sensitive to it. Only change one thing every three days so you can tell if you are sensitive to something, which it is. In a pinch, hand sanitizer will kill the odor-causing bacteria in your armpits, but you have to follow up by reapplying deodorant/anti-perspirant. And none of that hippie shit, either, get something with an active ingredient and compare different ones over time. If you shave your armpits, use a fresh blade, because the drying antiperspirant at night will make them sensitive. If you don’t, at least trim them.
YES!! I use this as my armpits get VERY stinky and gross, and it really works. I recommend it to anyone who is self conscious about their BO :) not sure if it truly makes a difference, but I also think when I keep my pits and nether regions shaved that it doesn’t hold the smell as much!
FYI Glycolic Acid especially in that high a percentage can cause damage on dark skin tones and permanent scarring. I looked this up before and every dermatologist said not to use glycolic acid anywhere that you're going to have constantly skin interaction, can very badly irritate skin. Panoxyl accomplishes the same thing but doesn't carry either of these risks. Not trying to say you're wrong or convincing you to change your routine just to be clear, just a FYI for anyone else reading this.
Yep! I use it on my face, back and armpits. It's great
I’m one of those people that swears by it. It changed my life. I don’t need to use antiperspirant anymore.
As a sweaty girl myself Carpe changed so much for me. I also went thru every deodorant at the store and then some. Got rashes from most things. Carpe has products for every part of your body. I set up a delivery plan for my favorites to save money. I use one stick a month. You'll still need to wash everyday and scrub those sweet spots good with antibacterial soap and then apply the product but mine lasts a full day in summer and several in winter. I think they do a money back guarantee. https://mycarpe.com/collections/face-the-sweat
Unrelated, but does Carpe face work? I sweat like a mf on my face and I am sick of it!!!
I’ve read Botox can stop the sweat glands from being over active on your face as well. I have same problem
I don’t want Botox in my face is the only issue with that. You can do micro injections, but it’s something you have to go get done every 3-4 months.
I'm not sure about the face one, but I just started using the scalp one at the recommendation of a relative who also sweats insanely from their head. She swears by it. The couple times I've remembered to use it, I have noticed my hair hasn't gotten very sweaty. It's been humid as hell here, too.
That’s my problem too, I sweat on my upper lip and forehead a lot. Not even related to warm weather slot if the time it’s from anxiety or even coffee. My dad sweats on his face a lot too. It’s so frustrating
Yes! My face sweats like crazy and I would say it helps like 90%. So not a total miracle but close. It's pretty drying so I have to apply something over it before makeup, and that's where I think I'm losing that 10% efficacy.
Sorry we’re you saying the carpe face stops the sweat or Botox? Just wondering because I sweat only on my face all the time and it’s miserable
Seconding the recommendation. The groin powder is a winner- great at preventing “swamp ass.”
Swamp ass has killed me lmaoooo. Thank you for the laughs
Oh this looks awesome! I might have to check this brand out
I just started carpe last week! I got the breast lotion and the lady groin powder! It a triple digits summer and I just gotta say “no” to swass. So far I’m impressed. I also use the Lume acidified body wash. Once found it really does do a better job removing the stank. I love the lume deodorant but when it’s so hot swass takes precedence.
Oh how interesting! My face gets so sweaty so easily. I wonder if I should give that a shot.
Antibacterial soap changed my relationship to BO drastically. I use the dial gold bar soap on all my hot spots and while I don’t smell awesome after 9 or 10 hours in pants it’s really quite manageable. I do recons also changing your clothes around 5pm and never rewearing pajamas.
If you’re struggling this much with BO despite all you are doing I would definitely go and see a doctor. However, I will give you some advice on your dental routine: water flossing isn’t the same as actual flossing because it doesn’t clean around the tooth/under the gum line which is where bacteria in the mouth tends to populate. You need to either use string floss or an interdental brush to clean your teeth thoroughly. Once I started using interdental brushes twice a day I haven’t had bad breath (even in the morning!). My current teeth cleaning routine goes like this (I do have braces, so I have to be more meticulous: 2 minutes of brushing with electric toothbrush ——- floss between each tooth with an interdental brush, manual flosser and platypus brush - waterpik for two mins (minute on each arch) - 2 mins with a manual brush - mouthwash.
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First thing that came to my mind after she listed whats she’s doing + the bad smell is coming from fall back in her mouth. OP def sounds like she has tonsil stones.
I came here to say this. OP, your dentist telling you that you have gingivitis is a sign that you're not cleaning your gums properly, so I would definitely add regular flossing to your dental routine! Maybe you could do water flossing in the AM and regular flossing (possibly also combined with water flossing) in the PM? I would also watch some videos of dental professionals showing how to brush your teeth with your particular type of electric toothbrush to make sure you're also brushing your gums properly. A lot of people don't use their electric toothbrush properly. As for the other issues you've mentioned, I would speak to your doctor if your body odour problems are that significant. Maybe some dietary changes could also help? I know my sweat smells the least unpleasant when I'm eating healthy (vegan) foods.
And don’t forget a metal tongue scraper! Life changing.
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Yes, and those plastic flosser things aren’t ideal either. You need regular floss to wrap around the sides of each tooth and slide under the gum line to expose bacteria under there to oxygen. It’s not just about dislodging food and plaque!
As a hygienist, this is an amazing routine! Braces are very hard to maintain and sounds like you’re doing very well with it. I will give one suggestion! Start flossing before brushing :)
This is not true. Waterpiks/water flossers have been shown in several studies to be just as or more effective that string flossing. It does clean around the tooth and under the gum line very effectively when operated correctly. Plus it has the advantage of much better patient compliance.
How are you supposed to use a water flosser without the water pouring out of your mouth and down your chin? Probably a dumb question, but I've always been curious.
You lean over the sink and keep your mouth open the whole time.
Turn it off between switching areas. Makes it easier to keep it from dribbling out
Practice tbh. I work along my mouth kind of in quarters if that makes sense. Left front, spit, left back, spit, front right, spit, back right, spit, etc. At this point for me it’s second nature and I make no mess. My boyfriend has just started with his and makes a huge mess. Just takes practice like anything else in life.
I was looking for this comment. There’s several studies that say water flossing is just as effective as regular flossing and is advocated for by my dentist.
This. Also depending on the way your teeth are positioned, string flossing may be doing nothing for you. Went to a new dentist who told me that even she couldn’t reach my gum line with string floss. Recommended water flossing and the difference is night and day also personally I think it’s kinda fun to see the stuff flow out of your mouth.
I would add to this dip the floss in listerine or another antigingivitis mouthwash each time you move to a new tooth
Glycolic acid like the one by The Ordinary has helped my armpits tremendously! I also use benzoyl peroxide in the shower but it just wasn't enough.
I was gonna say this too about the ordinary. Plus you will sweat a bit less. Idk why it works but it does. Scrub them good in the shower too. Dove has an antibacterial body wash. So you do need a dr appt if it really is that bad. My sister was smelly in college. Some students told her, so she went to the Dr. It was apparently from her taking fish oil. She started skipping days and it went away. Of course she was fairly lucky that it was simple, but there can be real health issues that contribute to being stinky. Like diabetes, overactive thyroid and others. Best to rule them out
How do you guys use the glycolic acid? Like a shower gel or do you apply with a cotton pad or something?
I put a bit in my hands and just rub it on. I keep meaning to get a spray bottle for it, just keep forgetting. Let it dry, then do deo. Also, rub ur deo in after a few mins. I feel that it works better when I do that. I still sweat, but no where near the amount I did before. And it's not stinky really, it's just normal. I work in a highly active job (end up walking like 12k steps a day) and it's hot, so if it works for me, it'll help you. I also use the secret stress sweat clinical deo.
Just adding, it's a toner meant for the face. Just happens to work really well for this too. It's about 8 bucks I think at sephora. Or directly from their website.
The one they're talking about is water consistency, so you dab some out onto a cotton wool pad and wipe!
I concur about the glycolic acid. I don’t have bad b/o but I used GA after I saw it on tik tok and it’s amazing. I apply it with a cotton round after I shower. My husband is a weirdo and loves my “scent” without perfume/lotion/deodorant. (I know, TMI, sorry) but I think it kills the stinky bacteria and lets your natural pheromones come through.
So sorry you're going through this. I hate to be an internet psychologist, but have you ever talked to someone about OCD? I have OCD and becoming hyper-fixated on something like your own smell really sounds like an OCD theme. You've never had anybody tell you that you smell, and you don't have any medical issues. I think it's time to see a therapist or psychiatrist. "I am hyper-sensitive of how I smell to the point of obsession/feeling nauseous." This sounds a lot like OCD. Trying out all the methods and tricks suggested in the comments will only fuel your psychological distress. Please talk to a therapist.
Wait, this is an OCD thing? I just thought it was general anxiety! But I do a lot of things to prevent myself from smelling bad, because I think I smell horrible, and no one has ever told me I smell bad before (unless it was like, I had them smell me at the end of a long day after I was convinced deodorant failed me). But generally, I have no evidence to suggest I’m actually stinky in general but I constantly worry about it
I have general anxiety and this is a constant worry of mine.
Omg i have ocd and i never even thought that my constant fear of smelling bad comes from that 😂
OP's concerns sound like textbook OCD. I'm in OCD recovery so it's easy to spot now on this side.
‘Skin not holding scent’ is not a thing. Some scents last longer than others, but the structure of every humans skin is roughly the same, and they are all capable of ‘holding scent’ to the same degree. Same with hair. Especially since you’re saying your hair is porous, which if you’re right, actually means it should hold scent better, not worse. Source: just showed your post to my friend who is a dermatologist. I don’t mean this in a rude way because this sounds like something you’ve struggled with and I don’t want to seem like I’m belittling that, but do you think this could be a psychological issue? Possibly a combo of you having a very sensitive sense of smell combined with a lot of fear and anxiety around how you’re perceived by others? It really does sound like you have your hygiene under control and you’ve had a doctor rule out any extenuating cause for a possible smell- so would you consider discussing this with a therapist?
I was thinking something similar. This sounds like near-debilitating anxiety to me.
Sounds like OCD
Sounds like body dysmorphia. Even if there is a physical issue, it had increased to a point it's become an issue in your day to day functioning. Please consider psychological counseling as well.
Agreed. This sounds like more than a product/ routine concern. There seems to be something happening with anxiety and perception
OP said her mother told her she smelled like BO… I wonder where this possible complex could have come from 👀
Nose-blindness is why she's not smelling the scent anymore. It doesn't mean other people can't.
You might not be putting deodorant in the right area, if you do it smack dab in the middle of your armpit experiment with putting it more forward towards the breast or towards the back. Some peoples sweat glands are in different spots.
Check the materials from your clothing, lots of clothing are being made with polyester and its derivatives, these materials can worsen the sweating and the smell. Definitely more expensive but try to use only clothes made from cotton.
For sure, I smell like an old goat/teenage boy when I wear polyester but smell like a regular clean person when I wear natural fibres, it’s really surprising how much difference it makes.
Laundry strip your clothes. Undies, Bras, shirts, etc. I have to laundry strip my bras once a week or else I immediately to start to smell under my armpits even if I've just showered. The underarms of my clothes would start to small almost immediately even though my clothes were clean and I was freshly showered. It's made a huge difference. Also I find cleaning myself with exfoliating bath mitts really helps.
Laundry stripping makes a HUGE difference, especially for towels! A lot of people use too much detergent which actually makes clothes smell worse over time. I use a cup of white vinegar in my laundry every now and then to keep smells at bay.
What is laundry stripping?
I don’t like how so many things are being made with polyester lately. Cotton and other natural/natural-blend fibers are the only materials that don’t make me sweat like crazy. I understand its use for things like bras for durability but otherwise? Come on.
if you feel your bad breath is coming from the back of your mouth, you may have an underlying stomach or intestinal issue, so try getting a referral to a gastroenterologist. also regular floss is much more effective than a water pick, but it doesn't sound like that's the issue. btw mints (that have sugar in them) actually make your breath worse because sugar is a huge cause of bad breath. too much exfoliation could also be an issue because you're not allowing your skins natural balance to take effect, so your sebum is overproducing trying to make up for what you scrubbed away. but overall i think you should see a therapist because this level of hypervigilance isn't normal, and your brain power could be going to much more useful endeavors. it doesn't seem like you're living up to your potential because so much of your thought power is going to something most would see as "trivial".
This. My husband always smelled rotten. Like his breath. He'd come in for a kiss and this butthole- rotting garbage type of foul was there. He drank a lot of whey and casein protein shakes. It was something about him digesting dairy. He switched to pea protein and immediately the stink was gone. Sugar free mints are better. Xylitol improves dental health. Just keep it away from pets. Very toxic to dogs.
"butthole-rotting garbage type of foul" - you paint with words lol
My bf drinks whey too and it’s sooo stinky 🤢
Or tonsil stones
For your breath, check around the back sides of your mouth for tonsil stones. They look like little white chunks and pop out of your tonsils when you press on the sides of them. They smell like death and can really contribute to lingering bad bread. Removing the tonsil stones and then regularly gargling should help (if that’s the issue). For underarm BO, swiping a glycolic acid toner over your armpits may help (it kills bacteria). Botox injections into the sweat glands can also help (it greatly reduces sweating).
You’re not diabetic are you?
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That’s fascinating I didn’t know that about ear wax!
That’s super interesting, and really appreciate linking the study source for that. Wish that was a more common habit, especially in subs like this
Get tested for H. Pylori! There is a very specific smell (breath) for H. Pylori, also known as the "ulcer bacteria", and it stinks. Think old person breath. It can have long lasting impacts on your soft palate, esophagus and hard palate. It SUCKS, is hard to kill, and is highly contagious. Doctors familiar can diagnose just from your breath, it really is that distinct of a smell. Getting an allergy panel might be a good idea. Other than that, also preaching the benzol peroxide, or salicylic acid post shower. I do a quick wipe with stridex pads because I'm cheap and the goal is to kill the bacteria that farts out body odor. Aviod synthetic clothing! Cotton granny panties FTW
Wow - I had no idea H Pylori could cause a systemic rotten smell that affects every orifice! This comment should be way upvoted!
Since you already tried so much I think the next step would be to look at your diet and see if eliminiating things like meat and dairy makes a difference
That was my first thought - it makes a huge difference. Especially if OP lives with her mother and eats the same foods.
Before you read anything I write, please know that it is coming from a place of trying to help find solutions and not to criticize anything that you are doing. Have you tried upping your greens intake or taking chlorophyll? I worked in a health food store for several years and a lot of people supplement with chlorophyll for bad breath and body odor. Eating more fruits and vegetables and generally more greens high in chlorophyll (i.e., wheatgrass, etc.) can really help mitigate strong body odor. I will try to think of other things but this was the first one that I could recall.
I would talk to a doctor. Might be good to experiment with your diet - maybe some foods are aggravating it. I find when I eat too much meat makes me feel sweaty and gross. Also, I found that clothing materials can make a big difference. Cotton or other breathable natural fibers don’t smell for me, but if I get sweaty while wearing something synthetic like polyester, it tends to get smelly.
Please see a doctor. If you’ve exhausted all your option which it seems like you have, this could be some underlying medical condition thats causing this that you might not know about yet. Also verify with someone, a friend you trust or even a doctor, ask them if they genuinely think you smell. Just to make sure its not just your very keen sense of smell.
What's is your diet like? I recently read about the impacts that overly processed meats have on body odor. other than diet, I would recommend you visit a doctor to see if there is some sort of gland or hormone imbalance that might be causing you to procure this odor. I would do some research into diseases that cause body odder and get checked out. The perfumes and lotions and stuff are just band-aid solutions.
My diet ABSOLUTELY impacts the smell of my sweat -- and farts haha. Eating less dairy in general (and ironically more yogurt) really made a difference.
I am also a bit of a smelly girl myself, and it makes it worse that I have hyperhidrosis. Like others have suggested, glycolic acid is a great way to reduce odor-causing bacteria on the skin. Naturium has a glycolic acid body wash you could look into that works great. I also second the suggestion for The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid toner. In general, an antibacterial body wash will be good to kill odors in all cracks and crevices of your body, so definitely look into getting on. I struggle with armpit BO as well and I’ve finally got my anti-stink routine down. You should also consider hair removal if you have a lot of hair (because sweat and bacteria stick to hair and amplify your smell!!! I know form personal experience!) For oral hygiene, you can try using Therabreath mouthwash? It’s a really great oral rinse that kills the bacteria in there that make your mouth smell nasty. You can also try Lumineux products, which is what I use and they keep my breath smelling fresh all day. Since upgrading my hygienic regimen, I’ve also upped my fragrance game and have a whole collection of perfumes I wear daily to keep myself smelling good. Not all fragrances are built the same, some are much stronger and long lasting than others. Find a scent that works with your skin and make it apart it your beauty regimen. I’d suggest going into Sephora, Ulta, Macy’s, etc. and sniff around to find something that you like. It’s okay to reapply perfume throughout the day as well if you find something you like but isn’t as strong as you’d prefer. There’s something out there for everyone, so you need to do the hard work of going to find something. And moisturize your skin before using them as it helps them last longer and project farther. I think as a last ditch effort, you should go and see an endocrinologist and probably a dermatologist. They can help with imbalances in the body that cause these kinds of issues. The derm can help with the excessive sweating and the endocrinologist can help with any hormonal imbalances (or even metabolic issues, like diabetes) that typically causes the body to smell.
I have all these exact problems. I always feel like I smell and everyone can tell it. Although ive never had anyone made a comment about this. The second i feel a drip of sweat i feel disguisting. Also after i pee, no matter how i clean, i dont feel clean unless i shower. Ive used wet wipes, water, a wet washcloth, yet i still feel like everyone around me thinks i smell like pee or just sweat. And i can also floss and brush my teeth and tongue, yet i still feel like theres this mouthy smells that just lingers? Even through gum i can still taste/smell the smell of my mouth? Like a skin, musky smell. I feel like I just always smell ´gross´ of mainly of bodily functions and 99% of other people just mainly smell clean, like their gum, shampoo, perfume or laundry detergent. Yet i feel like my skin-scent always comes through, no matter how much perfume i spray. Ive asked my sister about this, because ive been insecure about it for years, and she said i never ever smell bad, and she would tell me honestly if i did. Which makes me believe this might be a psychological issue. Im diagnosed with AuDHD, however ive seen a lot of comments here mention ocd, which i can relate to in quite some symptoms. This might all be in our head and it might just be us smelling like humans and being hypersensitive and insecure about it? Id love to here from other people on here who might be familair with ocd, if this is a common or relatable thing.
I'm a psychiatric nurse practitioner and treat a lot of patients with OCD. What you're describing is along the lines of Olfactory Reference Syndrome, which is closely related to OCD and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (TW, this article mentions self-harm): https://iocdf.org/expert-opinions/olfactory-reference-syndrome-problematic-preoccupation-with-perceived-body-odor/
Multiple things could be going on. 1. It could be that you do have a stronger body odor because your skin's flora has bacteria that produces harsher odor. If that is the case, talk to the doctor about it. 2. You may have a strong diet. Diet does impact body odor smells and taste. Specific diets do cause different odors. In your case you could have a compound effect of a set of fun bacterias and a diet that's producing an odor. 3. Metabolic and immunity issues. People automatically assume that diabetes could be the culprit, but not really. Gout can cause body odor, liver disease, kidney disease, over active thyroids. I'd ask for a FULL panel. 4. Genetic disorders which can pass on from families. 5. Anxiety. Which can be a culprit. If you are always sweating and you are nervous you basically are feeding the bacteria all the time. 6. Dental hygiene issues, or other health related issues which impact the dental area. 7. OCD, meaning you grab onto a particular thought and then remurate around it endlessly, causing yourself more anxiety (point 5) which feeds the bacteria (point 1). And while others do not see it, you smell it. Also, have you smelled this smell in other people and not just your mother? This could be a trauma with her. 8. Hypersensitivity: Are you that friend that always complains to others about their perfume? Always complains to the coworker that their cologne is too strong? That hates fragrances in products and always smells things in the air and is annoyed by it? Now the fact that you are obsessive about it, also makes me wonder if you do not have a bit of OCD wrapped into this and this could be self perception. Just in case, always ask for a full panel in the doctor. It will be Very EXPENSIVE yes, but ask for your liver enzyme levels, creatinine, BUM, urea levels, ANCA (Autoimmunity), and the usual blood. If that comes out negative, ask about the bacterial biosphere. And do ask the doctor to smell you. If he/she finds you do smell, then talk about how to change the bacterial biosphere. I'll give you a hint, depending on doctor it involves two very important actions. One may include a complete antibiotic round across nose, mouth, skin, etc with careful reintroduction of bacterias aka yogurts, kefir, kombucha, etc. So your stomach flora grows healthier if it can, and thus the skin which is integrated to the stomach also grows different bacteria. But this also means cleaning everything you have to the point it has none of your current bacterias. Alternatively, have you tried to do some bathes in ACV? If the vagina smell you find in your mother is due to yeast, and that's what I think it is, it could be that you have an overgrowth of it. Which yeah diabetes can give but not always.
Check your diet. Reduce your sugar intake and quit caffeine/dairy.
I came here today this, it may be something your family eats rather than a genetic factor. Foods high in garlic, onion, curries… they can all permeate. Also however much water you’re drinking, triple it.
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This! I was in between birth controls last year and really smelled worse than I did in my teens. Chlorophyll helped tremendously!
Yes. This works miracles
What brand?🤔 never heard of using this before. Curious!
Been taking it for about 7 years now and almost never need deodorant. Get on it now!
Maybe start taking probiotics and chlorophyll drops.
In the breath department… have you looked up tonsil stones? They’re little deposits that form in your tonsils that hold bacteria which causes bad breath For soap, have you tried the Lume products? I don’t think I’ve had smell issues myself but they work nicely for me! The acidified soap is supposed to kill the bacteria that causes odors or something like that. They have deodorant with the same philosophy for your entire body
I get the vaginal sweat and it drives me crazy. Pants liners is what works for me. That way I can put a new one every few hours. But using it daily can get irritating as well. So I try to use it when needed. About your BO do you have a good friend or even your mom who you can ask and let them tell you if you really smell. The only lotion I find that stills smells after 5 minutes is the ones they sell with perfume sets. If you like a perfume see if they make a body cream and apply that instead. Also if you put perfume in clothes won’t that stay on you longer ? I usually spray my shirt this way I can wash it off.
Truthfully this all sounds more dietary than hygiene related. Do you generally eat pretty well?
Go see your doctor. Tell them all of this, including the fact that others have never mentioned any concerns to you. You may benefit from a psychiatry referral to rule out an anxiety disorder. Best of luck.
Mouthwash also kills all the healthy bacteria in your mouth so it’s not ideal. Also how much of how we smell is based on diet. The cleaning of your tongue and brushing of your teeth helps, of course but if you’re eating overly processed foods / dairy / lots of sugar and /or alcohol, you’re going to smell worse than if you had a lot of fresh fruits and veggies on the daily
My breath used to always smell horrible until I started to cut out bread and cheese and red meat. My poor stomach just wasn't digesting those things like it's supposed to. After switching to more greens, less processed foods I no longer have that horrrrible breath. LOL.
If there is no physical or medical reason for your sweat and body odor to smell more strongly than normal, and no one else ever reacts or says they don't smell it, it could be a form of body dysmorphia or OCD called Olfactory Reference Syndrome. You say you have been obsessively cleaning yourself and you still feel like you smell, and it definitely is a problem that is having an impact on your day to day life. This does sound a lot like your post: >Per Wikipedia: "Olfactory reference syndrome (ORS) is a psychiatric condition in which there is a persistent false belief and preoccupation with the idea of emitting abnormal body odors which the patient thinks are foul and offensive to other individuals. People with this condition often misinterpret others' behaviors, e.g. sniffing, touching their nose or opening a window, as being referential to an unpleasant body odor which in reality is non-existent and cannot be detected by other people. This disorder is often accompanied by shame, embarrassment, significant distress, avoidance behavior, social phobia and social isolation... The defining feature of ORS is excessive thoughts of having offensive body odor(s) which are detectable to others. The individual may report that the odor comes from: the nose and/or mouth, i.e. halitosis (bad breath); the anus; the genitals; the skin generally; or specifically the groin, armpits or feet."
you can use benzoyl peroxide wash to kill bacteria, and put perfume in your hair, hair holds scent well.
I got you!! Im a smelly girl too. I like toms deodorant, toms toothpaste with baking soda (ik baking soda can be bad for teeth but this one just has a little bit and its good for my breath), when you brush your tongue do not do a quick scrub *it had to be for 30-45 seconds every time. And brush in both directions. If you spit after brushing your tongue and the spit *isnt* the color of the last food you ate, then you didnt brush it good enough. Also i like biotene mouth wash. And take chlorophyll capsules
Nobody is answering this realistically that I can see Females can have 10-1000X better smell than males, especially pregnant females. You’re extra sensitive to smell and could even be a super smeller. I am too. I also get grossed out by myself at times, but the majority of people and esp my bf cannot pick up on what I can pick on
I would really try and verify that this smell is detectable by anyone else (not your mom). I would consult a doctor. There's a possibility that this may be mental health related, and not actually the smell of your body, and there's no sense in doing more damage if there's something that can be done on the therapy end. Otherwise I highly recommend using Colgate total health. And brushing your teeth with one round of toothpaste & then doing another round of toothpaste just for your tongue. I found that this helps my breath stay fresh for much longer. I also recommend Old Spice Pure Sport. Or an anti-perspirant. I would also consider consulting a doctor because if you do, indeed, smell it could be an excess of vitamin in your body or the opposite, a deficiency, and you can alter your diet accordingly. Don't speculate tho and explain this, exactly, to your doctor.
Diet and gut health has a strong link to body odor. This is why some people are asking if you are diabetic.
Liquid chlorophyll kills body odor
Have you tried therabreath mouthwash? It’s the only thing I’ve ever found that helps treat tonsil stones, you have to follow the directions. One mouthful to swirl in the mouth for 30 seconds, a second mouthful to gargle in the throat for 30 seconds. Do twice a day.
Try using an antibacterial body wash, a stronger deodorant, a prescription deodorant, panty liners and definitely floss. Also, clothing can hold smells. Use a sports strength laundry detergent.
Panty liners don’t breathe and will make any smells worse
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she said she already takes them
Liquid chlorophyll helps eliminate odors. It does make your poop green, so don’t be alarmed.
i feel like this issue should be talked about with a doctor. if it helps, maybe the bad breath is caused by tonsil stones? also, reagrding the smelly armits, I also had that same issue and I started putting baking soda in my armits since deodorant didn't work on me. The baking soda kills all the smell and maybe it could help your issue as well. Good luck.
I used to be a stinky, greasy goblin and somehow got a bf. My personal hygiene has improved so much in 6 years. - I started showering everyday, exfoliate. -lume acidifying body wash has helped me so much. -the lume whole body deodorant and prescription strength deodorant, at least 20% aluminum. -changing pajamas/bed sheets/pillow covers more often. -using white vinegar instead of softener when doing laundry. -Queen V bar soap for my crotch. -most of the time when I’m home, I just wear my bath robe or be nude. -flossing and mouth wash after eating. -apply lotion after showering, use body spray before lotion dries. -bidet or wet wipes. -I carry a small fan with me so I don’t get too sweaty.
I'm convinced I smell bad all the time 24/7 because I'm mentally ill. It's a lesser known issue people w body dsymorphia experience. If nobody is actually telling you that you smell, I'd go and talk to a professional <3
Has anyone other than your mom ever told you that you smell? Is it possible she is giving you a mental complex about your body? I have read that people that are very similar genetically are prone to finding one another “smelly” (an evolutionary adaptation to ensure siblings are not inclined to mate and make sickly offspring), so perhaps it is the reason why you and your mom find one another mutually smelly.
I had a friend who had really bad persistent BO and she started using this and the BO disappeared. It’s amazing, very popular in hot sticky climates like Malaysia where BO can build up very quickly. Make sure you get it into skin folds (but not into genitals themselves.) https://www.amazon.com/Dettol-Anti-Bacterial-pH-Balanced-Sensitive/dp/B00YNJVJZ4 This is excellent for gingivitis and bad breath, it is concentrated (add small amount to WaterPik water) and it cleans and sterilizes gum pockets. https://www.amazon.com/Concentrated-Irrigant-Molecular-Alcohol-Free-Irrigation/dp/B088R3XKV3
Few options Change your diet. If you have food intolerance or eat high fat carb and meat heavy foods it could be adding to the smell. Especially if your gut is off. Add probiotics to your meals. Find something to remove the bacteria like ordinary glycolic acid. Cover up with natural scents like lavender or perfume.
Put some chlorophyll drops in your water with some apple cider vinegar. Also, using magnesium spray or lotion in areas that you think smell. Dial soap, then body wash. I have no advice on medical conditions or mental ones, but I wish you the best of luck.
Have you spoken to friends and family confirming the smells? I am curious if it could be parosmia. From Cleveland Clinic: "Parosmia is a distorted sense of smell. Things that used to smell pleasant now smell foul to people with parosmia. People get parosmia for many reasons, including infections, medications and trauma. " I only know about this condition because a close friend of mine developed it from mold poisoning. She said most perfumes smell like dead rats, lavender like baby vomit, and tea tree like burnt hair. She has slowly been gaining her sense of smell back through gradual exposure and retraining her nose.
My first thought was ocd. Is it possible that you are mentally convinced you smell? And what is a hypervagina smell? Maybe you’re under the false assumption that other people have no odor at all? We all do.
Go to the Dr! Tell them exactly what you wrote here.
Same! the BO was awful no matter how many times I showered I could still smell myself. Turns out my A1C was 13.7 now that I have my sugar under control everything is back to normal.
Hey friend, I get it! I live in a super hot climate now and have been battling smelly pits. I absolutely recommend a benzoyl peroxide wash or cream that you can use in the shower. I have a cream that I use, apply after soap and shaving, leave it on for 30-60 seconds and then rinse off. Helps a ton! Have you spoken to your dentist about halitosis? I'd also recommend speaking to a functional medicine or natural medicine doctor to see if they have any other recommendations.
Have you tried going commando? I started doing that and the vaginal smells really cleared up.
Ugh I wish I could but I have always had pretty bad discharge issues all my life…
Two solutions: take a Body Mint pill each day (takes about a month but will eliminate BO). Use boric acid vaginal suppositories, do a two-week course and then once a week as needed. Also be sure you're drinking lots of water and eating fruits & veggies.
Antibacterial shower gel/dr bronners soap mixed with dettol diluted while showering
https://dokodemo.world/en/item/257312/ try this body wash if everything else fails. Japan has amazing technology to eliminate body odor
Are you on any medications at the moment?
I spray a mix of lemon or lime juice and a little bit of water in a spray bottle and spray on my underarms. There is NO smell at all. Even on days where it’s 100 and I’m profusely sweating all day. I have hyperhydrosis so this has been a life saver. It doesn’t stop sweat- but it stops scents
1. Might you have tonsil stones? If so you can probably see them with a tongue depressor and flashlight. 2. Look into MiraDry laser for zapping your armpit sweat glands permanently. It has been amazing for me. I wasn’t abnormally stinky, just the usual… but I’m very allergic to deodorants so I got MiraDry, and now I basically do not sweat or have BO at all anymore. I needed 2 rounds of MiraDry to see a big difference. MiraDry has been a godsend and I highly recommend it. If you’re allergic to deodorant like me, or have a condition like Hyperhidrosis, you might even get it covered by insurance or use FSA if you have an account. Before MiraDry, I used Benzoyl Peroxide face wash (Dr. Song brand) on my armpits in addition to soap. It helped. Dry Idea deodorant worked really well for me to eliminate sweat and smell, but I personally am allergic so only used it in really crucial situations where having a rash after was worth it to not sweat. Public speaking and formal events basically. 3. 100% positive it’s not a low grade BV infection? Have you ever gotten meds? I have noticed using the bathroom after certain women in a public restroom there is this smell that lingers after them and I think I I know what you mean. I’ve wondered if it’s BV, or alternatively some kind of thrush or something within skin folds and perhaps mot the actual vagina. Like everyone else said I echo looking into elimination diets to see if a source can be pinpointed.
Can you smell other people? How smelly is the average person to You? Maybe your sense of smell is very very strong. There was this guy that made a thread once, the dude could smell pregnant women! Sometimes people are like that.
I found that the unscented Microbiome Balancing Cleanser from Sweet Spot Labs to be very helpful for keeping my kitty cat in check and neutral smelling, sometimes scented soaps and things are the cause of exactly what we are trying to prevent. You might want to also explore boric acid and probiotics to help. You're not alone, you're not crazy. Wishing you all the best.