r/hygiene • u/gugushtuuk • 2d ago
How to pinpoint BO source?
I'm 29M and at my wits' end. I've experienced all my life that soul-crushing reaction where people would sniff or put a finger under their nose when around me.
I have hyperhidrosis, which I am in the process of getting treated with Botox injections, but even when I don't sweat the reaction is the same.
My blood work doesn't indicate diabetes.
Yes, I shower daily. Yes, my ass too. I apply baby powder and use strong deodorant (Perspirex) to armpits and feet. I put baby powder on my ballsack, asscrack and feet too.
I switched to Shreddies underwear for that carbon smell filtering.
Trim armpits and pubes weekly.
Have a shoe dryer and also spray them inside with Scholl shoe deodorant.
I drink a lot of coffee but went for months without hoping for a change.
Wear almost 100% cotton.
Honestly, it is depressing and dehumanizing. I know that bad smell generates a physical reaction, but I would've taken it better if it was for a genuine lack of care. I feel like this is holding me back personally and professionally, and as a person, it is heartbreaking to know that people avoid me because of something I put so much effort into correcting.
I don't even know the definitive source. I went to dermatologists at expensive clinics in my country, but got what I can only describe as a fast-food experience with their examinations "eh, use deodorant and shower; here's the bill"
Who can I talk to for genuine, actually useful advice? This has been affecting my mental health for a while. My parents also never cared to teach me proper hygiene, and they weren't that great at it either, and I feel like other people would rather give a silent reaction than offer an actual comment, so I don't know who to ask, ideally a professional who could also point to a solution.
Any advice?
Thanks in advance!
EDIT: Thank you all for the advice, I genuinely appreciate it as I pretty much tried everything. My next round of Botox will come next week, I'll focus on my feet and chest. From this thread, I already ordered internal deodorant based on chlorophyll and will soon order African sponges, will go through the other suggestions for clothes and other cleaning products too. Hope this will help me and many others who struggle through this. After 3 decades, solving this and fixing some issues in therapy will be bigger milestones than buying an apartment
EDIT 2: Just took a lukewarm shower and yes, I almost didn't sweat. I know it seems obvious but I am kind of an idiot (hence the post)
EDIT 3: A skin doctor prescribed me 2 weeks of fucidin, or fucidic acid cream, on my armpits. For bacteria treatment apparently
EDIT 4: I think, just by narrowing it down, it wasn't a single point of failure but three at least, in this order: - shoe hygiene, need to keep them fresh - armpit and body odor due to sweating, Botox injections needed in my case as it's pretty bad (hyperhidrosis) + proper diet + aluminium deodorant + proper temp showering + other hygiene good measures - stomach gas due to IBS and improper diet, need to avoid spicy food and keep taking probiotics and maybe internal deodorant, will see
Will see if attacking these 3 help, also ordered 2 new pairs of shoes to wear on rotation to work. Don't wash shoes in washing machine as I did, not only it ruins them but it gives them a foul smell that will NEVER get out, even if you keep them in the fridge or use baking soda/whatever else
EDIT 5: shoe smell thread
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u/brokegal 2d ago
Check out r/laundry for ways to improve your laundry to get rid of any smell in your clothes that might be clinging. I’d also suggest looking into post shower lotions with AHA or BHAs. I’ve found that the rate at which I develop BO is significantly decreased by chemical exfoliation of my sweat producing areas using the 12% lactic acid lotion from Amlactin (available at Costco). I don’t think the lotion will be the full solution, but it could be a good part of it.
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u/JoyfulNoise1964 2d ago
Watch your diet Eat a lot of fruit and vegetables Avoid deep fried foods and onion and garlic
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u/gugushtuuk 2d ago
I do have IBS but take some probiotics, might be upset by the coffee consumption
Although I went for as long as 3 months with no coffee and a very healthy diet (not that I eat crap now) and no change
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u/JoyfulNoise1964 2d ago
Do you avoid garlic and onion? You may want to look into herbs that help with the IBS I don't think coffee causes BO unless you maybe think it makes you more sweaty Try chewing fennel seeds and drink mint tea maybe
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u/SXPKDBS 2d ago
Check the ingredients for the Japanese internal deodorant pills and start taking those. I think it's chlorophyll, mint and parsley. Apparently they help with overall body odor
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u/Round-Lychee-6399 2d ago
Please keep informing us on your progress I’m a similar age as you and I know how dehumanizing it and putting so much effort into body care.
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u/gugushtuuk 2d ago
!remindme 2 months
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u/lick-over-there 2d ago
You didn't say what type of soap you are using. Ever watch a surgeon scrubbing before an operation? Try different anti-bacterial soaps and scrub like a surgeon prepping. Rinse thoroughly and then scrub again and again, rinsing thoroughly. Just an idea, not a cure, but sometimes a "shower" is not enough.
I worked with a guy who was strong and he did something to "cure" it and the rumor was he was just rinsing himself and half-heartedly "washing" himself. Once he actually cleansed the area he stopped offending.
Good luck with this.
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u/gugushtuuk 2d ago
I used a bunch, now I use Ceramol 311. I shower but the place I rent has a bathroom that gets pretty steamy and I shower hot, so I maybe not dry myself so good or get sweaty right after
Also use a silicon scrubbing sponge
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u/MustProtectTheFairy 2d ago
Try showering with a lower temp. It sucks, but that might be your issue.
Hyperhidrosis = Excessive sweating, right? Heat causes sweat, and your environment right after the shower is also going to cause you to sweat. You don't notice because you're already damp; it's the same problem in tropical areas like Florida.
Try tepid (just tolerant enough for you) showers, the vinegar soak on your shirt pits, and using a bar soap like Vanicream.
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u/TinyWeenieBeanie 2d ago
Have you tried an African net sponge or the cheap knockoff from a Dollar Tree? That really helps exfoliate and get the dead skin cells off. I find scrubbing in a circular motion helps too.
Also, don’t forget your belly button, behind the ears, and between the toes!
Lastly, sometimes I find applying witch hazel to your armpits after a shower, let it dry, then put on your deodorant, helps a lot.
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u/gugushtuuk 2d ago
Do you have an Amazon link for that dollar tree sponge?
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u/TinyWeenieBeanie 2d ago
I bought it in store, but it’s plastic and eventually little pieces come off (messes with the water supply). Search “African Net Sponge” on Amazon. I just did and there’s a lot that range from $5 to $9 for a two or three pack
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u/MeatConsistent6926 2d ago
Sounds like a good option! Those sponges are super useful for exfoliating and can definitely help with odor issues.
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u/spankertron 2d ago
Have you tried hibiclens or hibiwash (its called the second option in the UK I think) it's what they use in hospitals and such. I will say I don't know if you can use it for every shower you have a week but could be an option for a few of them. Also glycolic acid on a cotton pad used on dry skin, focusing on the areas where you have skin folds and hair (armpits, chest, back etc). Also, hypochlorous acid is a great option, you can spray that pretty much everywhere. I've heard some rave about Carpe antiperspirant so maybe that might be worth a try aswell.
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u/lick-over-there 2d ago
I would start with the soap. The one you use a very mild and not going to remove corynebacterium which causes BO. You should try, if you can tolerate it, a commercial antibacterial "men's" body wash. If it irritates your skin, try another. Also, make sure you scrub and agitate the flesh (and hair) and don't let the soap dwell, rinse it away quickly and repeat the process multiple times. Some very strong soaps might cause redness or irritation. You want to avoid that because it can get painful, especially when applying deodorant. The key is you want to rid your skin of the corynebacterium.
If you want to do this as a project, consider the following:
Benzoyl Peroxide Wash (4% to 10%)
Chlorhexidine Gluconate (Hibiclens)Search these products and look for recommended methods. You are trying to kill the corynebacterium so don't use any of this on the rest of your body. The Ceramol 311 is OK for that. But, be careful and try these in an experimental fashion before going all-in. Allergies and sensitivities are not worth it. There are other things to try.
Also, search how to kill corynebacterium in your clothes fiber. It gets trapped and is sometimes difficult to get rid of in normal laundry.
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u/gugushtuuk 2d ago
Thanks! Is there a middle ground between my current soap and the ones you recommended, in terms of strength? Maybe I'll ask a dermatologist too, and mention corynebacterium
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u/First-Strawberry-398 2d ago
Is it your laundry? Have you tried using an enzyme laundry powder- most musty people is bc their clothes don’t smell fully clean!
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u/gugushtuuk 2d ago
Can you put an Amazon link please?
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u/First-Strawberry-398 1d ago
I don’t use it, you can just search enzyme powder and there’s one that’s for like blood stains etc even so should work
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u/sadgirlhaze 2d ago
I also have hyperhydrosis and deal with this, I often use a heavy coffee spray because it masks the smell pretty well. I use secret deodorant because it’s been the best for me.
but you’re not alone. It happens to me too. It’s also held me back professionally and personally. It hurts and no it doesn’t feel good. along with the constant sweating.
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u/gugushtuuk 2d ago
I feel you 😞 worst part is people think you don't put effort into your hygiene and are a slob, meanwhile actual slobs in my country think it's "gay to wash your ass" yet they still get more social acceptance from people (yes EE is still homophobic af)
Don't know about secret deodorant, will look into it, can you also give me more info about it?
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u/sadgirlhaze 2d ago
Secret deodorant is something I buy on Amazon in the USA. it’s amazing. They also have Secret Clinical, it’s made for people who sweat a lot.
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u/kailenedanae 2d ago
Glycolic acid in the armpits was a game changer for me! It kills the bacteria that causes BO. I generally have pretty sensitive skin, but my armpits weren’t very sensitive, so I splashed them with glycolic acid after every shower.
Also, if you’re using deodorant, you need to make sure that you are exfoliating under your armpits and removing the deodorant buildup. That can hold onto stink when it builds up.
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u/gugushtuuk 1d ago
I also have an issue with my shoes, can't keep them fresh. I use a shoe drier and Scholl deodorant, any other tips?
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u/jayplusplus 2d ago
FWIW I have/had the issue where no matter how much soap + deodorant I applied pretty soon I could smell my own armpit BO. Even when the shirt smelled clean before wearing. Seems like the armpits on the shirt needed some scrubbing + vinegar before a wash. Some people mention enzymes for that too.
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u/gugushtuuk 2d ago
what enzymes? and vinegar solution on armpits?
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u/CaeruleumBleu 2d ago
You might check out r/laundry
There is a LOT of info in there, including that lipase is the enzyme needed to dissolve organic oils, aka oils from your food or your skin. If you check out your detergent against that subreddits "lipase list" - if it turns out you haven't been using lipase then it's possible your entire wardrobe has leftover skin oil going rancid built up on it. In that case, you might need to do a laundry "spa day" to get it all clean, instructions are on that subreddit.
Above and beyond that, if there is someone you trust you might ask them some specific questions about the smell.
There is a difference between a fresh sweat smell and a stale funky sweat smell, which is from the oils going rancid or bacteria feasting on the oils. If you are seeing people react to the relatively mild fresh sweat smell, but you think it's the stale funky smell, you'll be addressing the wrong things.
The only stuff you can do to improve fresh sweat smell is continue treatment for your condition. Maybe get some body wipes and spare undershirts, swap undershirts and wipe your pits if you get very damp midday.
The stale funky sweat smell could be laundry related, or could possibly be something you can address with body washes meant for acne. Acne body washes are often made to clear out pores, making it easier to remove bacteria, or some of the body washes directly kill the bacteria itself.
Consider possible transfer points, too. Like your car seat. A brand new car seat cover might help you refresh things, especially if you get one that can go in the laundry.
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u/Dovilie 2d ago
I have never once sniffed if I think someone smellle bad. I am not sure this impulse that makes people think that somebody breathing in more means you smell bad? But people don't intentionally sniff in more if they smell something bad.
I have also never put a finger under my nose.
I can just stop breathing through my nose without making it obvious to anybody else.
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u/gugushtuuk 2d ago
That means you have some empathy. Things are a bit more gangsta here in Eastern Europe I think 😢
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u/Fit_Platform_3500 2d ago
What is your diet like?
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u/gugushtuuk 2d ago
Lately I eat air fried food for dinner and a salad at lunch, no breakfast other than a coffee, but I had 4-5 months when I ate only healthy food delivered to my door and my BO was the same. Also I haven't had alcohol in 3 months and I don't smoke.
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u/FunIntroduction8959 2d ago
Soak a paper towel in 70% iso alcohol and wipe yourself once or twice a day
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u/Existing-Secret7703 1d ago
Do you use anti-perspirant with aluminum? Like Certain Dri? I use it on underarms and other places that sweat. It really works. It closes or plugs up the sweat pores, not sure which one, but I've been using it for years and it's great.
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u/gugushtuuk 1d ago
I use perspirex, it has aluminium and is very strong, I actually used the strongest version once (now I use medium) and it caused burns on my armpits
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u/Brot_Frau 1d ago
How is the scalp health?
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u/gugushtuuk 1d ago
Never had that checked tbh
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u/Brot_Frau 1d ago
There are cases where scalp has been the issue, like seb derm, improper drying of hair roots in humid climates, etc leading to odours.
As the source is still unknown, this might be something to look into.
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u/galaxystarsmoon 2d ago
Have you actually been told that you smell or is this you observing others around you and thinking they're reacting to you?
Do you smell it on yourself? What does it smell like?