please please help persistent body odor. (enzymes, cause, condition, foods)

[ManApplet]

Try a zinc supplement.

[gypsychic]

The OP may need more in-depth health exams. I am a person who does not have a lot of body odor under normal circumstances; however last year I had an accident which caused me to have a lung infection and diabetic ketoacidosis. I was awaiting surgery and unaware of the other issues. I had a horrific body odor that nothing could relieve - someone here mentioned lung infection; I believe that was part of it, along with the ketones I was excreting due to ketoacidosis.

I am fine now, and no longer have the body odor. And for the record, I do keep clean however I do not overscrub with harsh soaps or deodorizing products. Overdoing it can disrupt the skin's natural skin biome.

OP I would go back to your doctor for more tests - are you feeling OK, otherwise?

[Deserterer]

Body odor has a large genetic component too. Some lineages have almost no odor and some have more. I always wondered why my Korean friend never has any detectable odor despite wearing no perfume...and being Korean is part of it.

[otterhere]

I'm still not convinced the OP's perceptions are accurate... Really? People have literally said to your face "you reek"? Who are these people? Most wouldn't do that. And is that after exercising or working all day or, as you say, literally right out of the shower? Of course, the ultimate answer here is to see a doctor. Have you never done this? He or she won't be there after your shower, but you can take a wet wash and scrub your pits in the office; then ask if, indeed, you "reek."

[L00k4ward]

Could it be a fungal infection on the skin?
Those are usually very smelly to solicit the description from the outsiders as “reeking”.

[Flamingo13]

OP - after showering (not sure if you are male or female, haven't read all the posts) - regardless of if you shave your underarms or not - Use witch hazel on a cotton ball to wipe your pits (it doesn't burn either if you've shaved).

[Tallysmom]

Originally Posted by Flamingo13

OP - after showering (not sure if you are male or female, haven't read all the posts) - regardless of if you shave your underarms or not - Use witch hazel on a cotton ball to wipe your pits (it doesn't burn either if you've shaved).

Thayers makes a non alcohol version of witch hazel. A few others do too.


As a person with rosacea, I was warned to not use witch hazel. But I discovered it’s not the actual witch hazel that’s the issue, it’s the alcohol.

[fleetiebelle]

Originally Posted by otterhere

I'm still not convinced the OP's perceptions are accurate... Really? People have literally said to your face "you reek"? Who are these people? Most wouldn't do that. And is that after exercising or working all day or, as you say, literally right out of the shower? Of course, the ultimate answer here is to see a doctor. Have you never done this? He or she won't be there after your shower, but you can take a wet wash and scrub your pits in the office; then ask if, indeed, you "reek."

And there's also the outside issues--is he wearing clean clothes? Drying off with clean towels after a shower? Is his diet full of garlic and onions and coffee and alcohol and other foods that will scent you from the inside out? No one wants to stink up the place, but there are a lot of factors at play.

[otterhere]

He's claiming it's "right out of the shower," which would mean before clothes or towels. I seriously doubt if he's verified this with anyone, but perhaps he can confirm or deny this.

[Deserterer]

Posts twice, sticks around a few days, generates 4 pages of replies.



Mission Accomplished.