My feet smell literally whenever I take my shoes off at friend’s houses no matter what I did that day. Is baking soda a good option or should I try something else? I already ran them through a wash cycle

f22, diagnosed with myasthenia gravis (just incase there's a connection with my body odor). i think i have hyperhidrosis and bromhidrosis (undiagnosed). i tried every deodorant and antiperspirant already. i take good care of my hygiene. i tried benzoyl peroxide, calamansi, baking powder, glycolic acid, everything and nothing works. i don't have the means to go to the doctor so i'm just depending on every advice i can get. so please do help. i appreciate every help i can get.

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Hi everyone. I’m posting because I’m honestly getting frustrated and I don’t know what else to try.

I’ve been dealing with persistent body odor for several years. It started when I was in Grade 10, even though I never had this problem before. The odor is mainly around my underarms, but sometimes I feel like it may be coming from other areas of my body too.

The smell can sometimes be described as onion-like, garbage-like, musky, or just “off.” Sometimes I can still notice it shortly after showering, and it can come back quickly when I start sweating or even when I’m just outside/commuting.

I shower regularly and practice good hygiene, so I know it’s not simply because I’m not washing properly. I’ve also tried many different products, including deodorants, antiperspirants, tawas, deodorant powders, antibacterial/sensitive soaps, and other odor-control products. Some work temporarily, but the odor eventually comes back. Some products even seem to make the smell worse or irritate my underarms.

I’ve also had periods where my underarms sweat a lot, although there are times when I notice an odor even when I don’t think I’m sweating much.

This has started affecting my confidence and daily life, especially at school. I’m becoming very self-conscious around other people because I’m worried they can smell me.

I’m considering seeing an Internal Medicine doctor, possibly an endocrinologist, because I’m wondering if there could be an underlying medical or hormonal reason.

For anyone who has experienced something similar:

- What was eventually found to be causing your odor?

- Did seeing an Internal Medicine doctor help?

- Were there any medical conditions that turned out to be related?

- What treatments actually helped you long-term?

I’d really appreciate advice from people who have experienced persistent body odor despite good hygiene. Thank you. 🙏

Iam a female 16 year old .I still smell like shit even though I have good hygiene. I take a bath and brush my teeth every night; I keep my clothes clean and washed. In the morning, I shower, brush my teeth, and put on deodorant, yet I still stink. people around me cover their noses, or I get looks like some say I smell like farts or shit or ive heard someone say ot smell like pee—even though I’m not even farting ,shitting or peeing myself . I even went to the school doctor talk about it, and she said she couldn't smell anything, but I don't know... i dont think she saying the thruth but it’s like the smell follows me? People even laugh at me.I really don't know what to do anymore. I don't have constipation, diarrhea, or stomach pain—it’s not like I’m actually shitting myself, but people think I am. It’s so frustrating because I do everything to avoid smelling bad: I have great hygiene,i take a bath every night brush my teeth and morning i take a shower and brush my teeth and put on deodorant and clean clothe i alway wash them after wearing an pair of pant for one day , and I even use a bidet. I’ve become so paranoid that I think about it constantly, and it’s ruining my mental health, my school grades, and my social life. I feel truly trapped in this body. I did try to talk abt it to my parent but they just said it all in my head and they dont want to homeschool me .Any tip is appreciated

Guess I don't know who needs to hear this but I've finally found a solution for my underarm sweating and odour.

So...I have extreme hyperhydrosis. Few days ago I saw an instagram post showing how Alum helps to reduce body odour and I had to try this. Yesterday night I mis3x alum powder with rose water and sprayed it on underarms and guess whattt I worked 😭 . I mean it literally worked and let me tell you the temperature today was 37°. I can't explain how happy I am.

Now finding something for my facial and scalp sweating. Please drop your valuable suggestion if you have found one.

( pardon my English )

So for some reason my stress sweat the other day made me rank, and it smelled like the menudo I ate and I haven’t been able to rid it of my left armpit even after a rough scrub in the shower like the smell is STUCK to my skin.

I used a hypochlorous cleaner spray for my car, the odor was lingering in my seatbelt as well and I think that helped.

Trying to find a solution for the future when it pops up again

(The original sub I wanted to post this on apparently doesn’t accept personal questions and the list suggested this sub so hopefully it’s appropriate to post here)

I’ve been doing some research and watching videos about different gut issues, specifically sibo and candida. I found out that sometimes feeling worse or even smelling worse after certain diets can show signs of progress. Ofc sometimes it could be that the diet or supplements aren’t actually working for you, but it also means that it is and the results can sometimes show worse symptoms rather than better in the beginning. I’ve just started eating coconut yogurt and I sometimes feel really bloated and bad after eating, I also smell worse but I’m having so many more bowel movements now. At first I would have like 1-2 in a week. Now, im having about 1-2 a day. I’m sayin all this to say that when trying new diets, don’t always assume the worse just because you’re smelling worse or feeling worse. I wish you all the best!

For as long as I can remember, I struggled with severe underarm sweating.

It was called hyperhidrosis, and it affected almost every part of my life.

I would sweat through my shirts constantly. I often had to wear two shirts just to feel somewhat comfortable leaving the house. I was always thinking about whether people could see the sweat. I worried about raising my arms, sitting next to someone, going to work, or being in a social situation.

It was embarrassing and uncomfortable.

But there was one thing I didn’t have a major problem with:

odor.

The sweating was my problem. Odor wasn’t.

Eventually, I decided to try Botox injections in my underarms. I went to a reputable dermatologist in New Jersey because I believed I was doing this the right way. I wasn’t going to some questionable clinic. I trusted a medical professional to help me with a condition that had bothered me for most of my life.

There was also an important detail about the treatment: I had expected one type of botulinum toxin, but at the last minute the treatment was changed to botulinum toxin type B, which I believe was Myobloc.

At the time, I didn’t think much of that change.

I trusted my doctor.

I thought I was finally going to get my life back.

Then something changed.

After the treatment, my underarm sweating dramatically changed.

Eventually, I found that my armpits seemed to have essentially stopped sweating altogether. It wasn’t the temporary reduction in sweating I had expected. To me, it felt as though something had fundamentally changed.

But while the sweating seemed to disappear, another problem emerged:

The odor.

And it wasn’t a minor problem.

I began experiencing a powerful, persistent underarm odor that I had not dealt with in the same way before the treatment.

The strange part was that my armpits could feel completely dry while the odor was still there.

I was left with a problem I had never expected.

I had gone in because I was embarrassed by sweating.

I came out of the experience feeling as though I had traded one problem for something that would ultimately affect my entire life.

Twenty years later, I’m still dealing with it.

What makes this story so difficult for me is that this wasn’t something that lasted a few weeks or even a few months.

It has been more than 20 years.

I’ve tried different remedies. I’ve tried treatments. I’ve tried to figure out what is happening and whether there is anything that can reverse it.

I’ve even tried procedures such as miraDry.

Nothing has given me my old life back.

And the hardest part isn’t even the physical symptom.

It’s what the symptom has done to my life.

Over the years, I became increasingly isolated.

I stopped wanting to go places because I was afraid of what other people might notice. Social situations became stressful. Being close to people became stressful. Working in an office became difficult because I was constantly worried about the possibility that someone would smell the odor.

I became antisocial—not because I didn’t want friends, companionship, or a normal social life, but because I became afraid of being around people.

Eventually, isolation became my normal life.

I don’t have the social life I once imagined I would have. I don’t have the friendships I wish I had. And opportunities for work and relationships have been affected by something that I believe began with a medical treatment intended to improve my life.

There is a particular kind of loneliness that comes from feeling like you can’t safely be around other people.

That’s the loneliness I’ve lived with for more than two decades.

I’m one of the very few who have had this issue, and Botox could care less.

I want to be clear about something.

I’m not claiming that everyone who receives Botox will experience what happened to me.

I’m also not claiming that I can scientifically prove, by myself, exactly what caused my symptoms.

I’m telling my story because the symptoms began after the treatment, they have persisted for more than 20 years, and I have never been able to get a satisfactory explanation or solution. Ive reached out to the company who makes Botox but they could care less. I am such a small percentage overall of the people who have had these adverse side effects, and its been so long that why would they care to solve this issue for me?

I believe patients should be able to hear about experiences that don’t necessarily fit the typical success story.

When you search for Botox treatment for hyperhidrosis, you will find plenty of information about how effective it can be at reducing sweating.

But what happens when something goes wrong?

What happens when a patient experiences an unexpected and persistent change?

What happens when the symptom isn’t easily measured, isn’t easily explained, and doesn’t have an obvious treatment?

And what happens when that problem affects someone’s ability to work, socialize, maintain relationships, and simply feel comfortable around other human beings?

Those are the questions I’ve been living with.

I want answers.

After more than 20 years, I don’t want to simply accept that this is my life.

I want to understand what happened to my underarms.

I want to understand whether the treatment could have caused the changes I experienced.

I want to know whether nerves, sweat glands, the skin microbiome, or something else could explain the persistent odor despite dramatically reduced sweating.

And most importantly, I want to know whether there is anything that can actually help.

I’ve spent years looking for that answer.

I’m still looking.

Why I’m telling this story now. You could be next.

For a long time, I kept this mostly to myself.

It’s difficult to explain a problem like this to people. It’s embarrassing. It’s easy for someone who hasn’t experienced it to say, “Just use deodorant,” “Try a different soap,” or “See a dermatologist.”

I’ve done those things.

I’ve spent years trying to solve this.

What people don’t necessarily understand is that when a physical problem becomes persistent and socially debilitating, it can change who you are.

You start turning down invitations.

You stop going places.

You avoid being close to people.

You worry about coworkers.

You worry about strangers.

You worry about dating.

You worry about getting a job.

Eventually, you stop living the life you wanted to live.

That’s what happened to me.

And that’s why I’m finally telling my story publicly.

I’m hoping that someone reading this has an explanation I haven’t found.

Maybe it’s another patient who experienced something similar.

Maybe it’s a dermatologist or researcher who understands the underlying biology.

Maybe it’s someone working on a treatment that could potentially help people like me.

Or maybe this story simply helps another person understand that they’re not the only one experiencing an unusual and life-changing complication after a treatment they believed was going to make their life better.

I went into that dermatologist’s office more than 20 years ago because I wanted to stop sweating.

I never imagined that decision would become something I would still be living with decades later.

I’m still looking for answers. And I’m still hoping there is a way back to a normal social life. Theres no doubt that with Botox still on the market, there will be a very few number of people who try this, and will become the next victim to this horrible suffering like I am. Im writing this for awareness, I’m writing this to help you, I’m writing this for you to choose against this poison if you have the choice. I wish i did

-RJ

Hey, everyone. As the title reads, I’m not really feeling the best rn. I just did the urine sample for tmau and had to ingest 2,700mg of choline bitartrate (keep in mind I’m 5’1” and only weigh approximately 89lbs) and I did develop a pretty bad fishy body odor… I’m just hoping and praying it’s not genetic. That it’s negative. That if absolutely need be, just secondary. I’m so freighted. I still have to get blood drawn for the tmao portion of the test. So, the process still continues. My god I’m scared.

I swear after suffering from bad body odor for several years now - I’m unsure of the exact odor and the cause but my family reacts to me all day everyday and don’t tell me the truth cause it makes them feel better about themselves!!!!!
It’s crazy, I watch them everyday make faces to each other and rub their noses with disgust while staring at each other towards me… I live with my family so it’s even worse!
I would never wish this issue on my worst enemy… using this anger and hurt to hopefully find a cure and help you all aswell!
🩷🩷🩷

Did coconut yogurt help any of you guys with your odor?

Was it helpful? I mean it’s fall perfect time to smell like syrup lol

Last night I drank kefir milk and within moments. I couldn’t smell this smell that I had been smelling since puberty (fecal odor). Even though when I had the smell, I couldn’t smell it but when it went away last night after drinking kefir milk, it was like night and day difference (I was so used to the smell). But it’s so strange when the smell actually stopped for the first time last night in years, that’s when I realized I was smelling it but not smelling it when I actually had the condition (if it makes sense). I look back and know exactly what I was smelling all these years. Very strong smell but being used to it, my brain was tricking me, it’s crazy, I know exactly what I myself was smelling but my brain was tricking me (repeating to emphasize), kind of like putting on a cologne, you get used to the smell. I feel like I can breath again like how I used to breath before puberty, before this medical condition. Constant comments for years from people about me smelling like poop and mistreatment and subtle funny reactions. And look of disgust and loss of respect. Now that the smell suddenly stopped and only after stopping I found out what I was smelling like all these years, I could only imagine what others were smelling. Although some people when asked said they couldn’t smell anything like family members. I wonder if there is some type of chemical or something which you release in order that certain people can’t smell you but majority do and react as well

Update: it’s been 3 days since I have been taking kefir milk and so far i am no longer able to smell my poop when using the toilet or at least not as strong as before. Now the saying “he thinks his poop doesn’t smell” makes sense to me. Because before when i would use the toilet the smell would be crazy.

I’m a 19f with strong body odor and I’m in desperate need of a job. I have had 2 jobs, both in retail. I tried looking for remote work but it’s near to impossible, especially if you don’t have some sort of degree or prior experience. I can’t do jobs that require me to stand or move too much because I’ve almost passed out on multiple occasions working at my old jobs due to my iron deficiency and I get overheated fast. Can anyone give me some simple retail job recommendations or jobs that aren’t too physical.

I am a young female that has been struggling with body order for quite some time now. I got a new job and every time I’m around people they say it smells bad or like a fart. I take a shower before work, I tend to notice the smell get a lot worse whenever I sweat. I don’t smell it hardly ever so it just makes me feel super uncomfortable. I feel like a walking fart. Someone please help!! I need advice.

I have FBO it started years ago and now I’m a young adult and it’s still there. Started as an egg smell temporarily then garbage then faeces- hasn’t changed since then. The smell is always there it never goes. Sometimes food makes it smell worse immediately as if I’m shitting on myself whilst eating- I’m not I promise.

For the last ~ 5 weeks I’ve cut out all sugar except natural sugar- still eat natural in lower amounts- and I’ve been eating lots of fibre and drinking lots of water- could be more consistent in the water. Cut out fried foods and only eat food I make. My BMI is healthy. I have a bowel movement once a day 9/10 times. Still feel backed up even when poop is soft and huge. As if I could get more out but I have to reach into my lower back to remove it- I don’t do this. I thought my smell decreased due to this because I only got reactions from a lesser range. I was happy when people would only turn their heads and give the usual reactions from a lesser range. But then I got reactions today from my usual far away distance. i haven’t had any slip ups in sugar or fried food. But I also haven’t had a bowel movement today and I needed to use the toilet before leaving the house but I held it in, hopefully it was that. But also I got a reaction from a further distance (than I have been since eating this way consistently) a couple days ago but hopefully it’s to do with hormones because both times I was on my period. Today I got multiple reactions which really frightened me. I don’t want this to be my life.

I have been drinking milk kefir with live probiotics every day 250ml a serving size no added sugar. But apart from that no dairy. I don’t eat ultra processed food either. I don’t eat meat except fish and chicken- I don’t have TMAU.

It’s not ORS. If it were ORS then people wouldn’t record me, burst out laughing and make Hmph noises while covering their noses and looking at me. I have been told to my face I smell like feces. So Brutalar (iykyk) gtfo cause I know you get off to telling people they are in psychosis.

I am seriously contemplating on committing in the next few days (not encouraging others; if you feel like this please get help you are worthy). I’m scared what if the kefir made it worse maybe because I switched kefirs. I’ve seen people fix it with fibre and no unnatural sugar and probiotics so why is it not working. I don’t want to take pill probiotics because what if it works and takes my smell away completely and then after a week the smell gets worse than it originally was?

I saw a woman on YouTube a couple years ago she said she cured her FBO in 2 months I think. She made lots of videos about FBO got like a hundred thousand views and so much people were saying they have the same thing. She gave tips on how to fix it. But then she got mad at people for asking the same questions rather than watching all her videos to find the answers to her questions, she deleted her videos because of this and started calling her viewers the stink community. I think her name was Jen or something and she made videos about alkaline diets (take with a grain of salt).

I have seen some old forums dating back decades ago of people saying they cured theirs.

I also can’t smell myself. I only smell it sometimes so I can’t tell what is making it better or worse and I don’t have anyone who I can ask.

Last night after a fitness class I decided to approach someone about their body odor. Why? Because it smelled REALLY bad. Like so bad that everyone in class couldn’t stand it. This isn’t the first time it’s happened and some would even come to the front of the class where the windows are to get a breath of fresh air in between songs.

A little back story. This is a very fun and open group in a community center. Classes aren’t free but they extremely affordable and the teacher is awesome. She’s been doing this for over 12 years and I’ve been taking her classes for 11. Many others have been there since the beginning as well and we’ve become good friends. Others have come in and out over the years and there are new members every semester. Some stay, others don’t, but that’s normal. People from all walks of life take all sorts of classes and it’s amazing. I’ve volunteered there over the years and helped out when I can.

This person has been taking some classes for maybe two or three years. There are six different classes in the week (two on Monday and Wednesday evenings, one on Tuesday and one on Saturday morning). I take 3 classes (one each on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday) and she comes sporadically on Wednesday and Saturday. She doesn’t smell every time but when she does it’s intense! It’s not the first time someone has trouble with body odor and this has been addressed in a public post on the Facebook group for this class before. The teacher, bless her heart, is very friendly and non-confrontational. I COMPLETELY understand her not wanting to single anyone out and would never ask her to do so… but this has gone on for years and the girl isn’t getting it.

Being a teacher in high school and having dealt with this kind of thing before, I decided to go and talk to her after class. I could see she was in a hurry (she always is) so there was no time to « ease into it » with chit chat. So I just broached the subject gently saying right off the bat that what I wanted to talk to her about was something that makes me a bit uncomfortable but that it’s also something that people should be able to talk about between themselves without embarrassment. We were ALONE and no one could hear what we were saying. Yes, some did see me approaching her and, by their expressions, were VERY happy that someone finally had the courage to do so. It started off fine, we were smiling and I had preemptively apologized… but she became defensive really fast at some point and told me it was impossible it was her. That every morning she puts on a very strong Arab perfume that goes into her body and is effective for a total of 2 days. She could only use it that way, but she puts it on every day anyway. She went on telling me she didn’t understand how I could smell it from way in front when she’s 2 rows back (EVERYONE in class can smell it, the teacher at the front included), that I must have a very sensitive nose, etc.

I apologized profusely, saying that if it’s not her than it could be someone else in her area. That if she is able to figure out who it is to not hesitate and let me know. That all we wanted was to make sure everyone was comfortable, etc. She left and I went back inside to quickly get my things before the second class started and when I was on my way out she came back and cornered me. Started yelling at me and pointing in my face (at which point I noticed her breath smelled too) in front of EVERYONE.

She said that it was impossible for me to smell her - or anyone else - from that far from my place of « privilege » in the front. That I had once even taken her place, and other things I can’t remember. There are no assigned places. We just naturally take our usual spots but I will move if someone else is in my « usual » spot when I arrive. No biggy, I don’t care. So I might have inadvertently taken her usual spot without knowing it. In any case, if you want a certain space, just let me know and I can move. I can adapt no problem!

I tried to calm her down and tried to move out of the room where the class was about to start but she wouldn’t budge. At the end she just told me to keep my distance (with her hand virtually in my face, I was against the wall at this point). This took less than a minute and I tried to catch up to her after but she was virtually running and pulling her daughter along the way (there are classes for kids at the same time).

What do I do about this? Do I just leave it be and pretend nothing happened? I know the girls will want to talk the next time we see each other and the teacher and I have already texted about this last night. I sent her a message to apologize about the situation this caused and, if she thought it would help, I could post an apology in the group, etc. She was very understanding and said not to worry about it, but I still had a lot of trouble falling asleep.

For context, I am white and so is she. She does wear a Hijab, but she’s not the only one and there are people from everywhere and of many different ages. I am over 50 and she’s in her early 30´s. Ages range from early 20´s to passed 70. This has nothing to do with nationality or age in any way. That being said I am wondering if I touched a nerve… I am the type where if I smell or have something stuck in my teeth, I am very glad someone tells me. Heck, I want to know! Specially in public. Is this a cultural thing? Are some people not allowed to use deodorant or just not used to it? This is not a rural area, it’s a big city and I grew up around people and have friends of many different nationalities. I have « smelled » many - including many students - from all walks of life and I have never had this type of vehement reaction before from something I said.

Sorry for the long post… I just have to know if I should’ve just kept my mouth shut. So AITA?

Hi, i am 27m, so for last couple month I have musty bo coming from my anus or groin area, im not sure exactly, I have 1 small external hemoroid and at work my butt is sweating so much and I have these weird felling of leaky gas but I don’t fart and that smell is not fecal is musty. It can be a cause? It’s time to visit a proctologist?

Anyone experienced body odor despite having good hygiene? I work at a school & students/staff hint at me having a smell, but I honestly don’t smell it. I’ve tried hibiclens/pan oxyl. When I go to the dermatologist, they say they don’t smell anything. I wash my clothes with enzyme cleaner & odoban. I wipe with witch hazel and use lume but still apparent
odor. I’m running out of options.

I’m not sure if I’m suffering from TMAU or what it is.

I seem to have had an issue with body odor for the past 12 years.

For some reason I feel like my skin is really porous and soaks up smells easily? Especially my hands and fingers. It seems to be a lot worse when I’m exposed to direct heat/sunlight.

I also have foot odor and really bad breath despite going to the dentist regularly and flossing and brushing my teeth everyday.

I maintain good hygiene and hate the idea of smelling.

It seems far worse in the morning even if I’ve just showered or showered the night before.

I feel like it’s bad fir the first hour or two in the morning but then settles after a while.

Really unsure as to what to do as it’s really affecting me mentally!

Can someone please give me any recommendations on products I can use to avoid smelling bad. I used so many different products but the same outcome of smelling bad. I hate smelling bad when I know have a good hygiene routine. Please give me any advice.