So, maybe TMI, but I smell. Bad.

[saimeiyu]

Even when I shower. All the time.
I can use three different types of soap, and I still smell. IN THE SHOWER, with soap or shampoo or baking soda JUST WASHED OFF my pits, I STILL SMELL.

I don't use chemical deodorant because it doesn't matter what I get, within two months, it doesn't work anymore. I've tried using a bunch of different natural types. the Alba deoderant kind of changes my smell, it's a little less offensive, but it's still bad. I've used the Nature's Gate DeoDerm stuff or whatever it's called, and it will mask the smell pretty well, but I'm afraid if I use it too often it will stop working. I also use Tom's of Maine and it kinda-sorta works, but not very well.
I have used baking soda, but that makes the skin peel off my pits. I have used tea tree oil shampoo, just plain tea tree oil, I've washed my pits with rubbing alcohol and witch hazel. Each time I switch to something, it works for a little while, the witch hazel worked for THREE WHOLE months before it just... stopped working.
I shower every day. Sometimes, I go swimming in a chlorinated pool AND shower, and I STILL SMELL like BO. It's driving me batty. And it's not my imagination.
My dad has the same kind of problem, where things just stop working for him. He's a smelly guy and I think he just kind of deals with the smell 'cause it doesn't bother him much.
But I HATE smelling.
I have begun to think that maybe I have some kind of an infection, or something. An infection of super-resistant horrid bacteria or fungus or something that just smells. I'm considering using like, Lotrimin or something anti-fungal on my pits for a few weeks to see if that helps.

Think that might work?

What else could help? I've also tried using the salt crystal-- It works, but ONLY if I can get the smell out of my pits BEFORE I try to use it. unfortunately, that's the problem-- SOAP DOESN'T WORK.
Right now, I'm using dish soap on my pits. It's only the second week but I can already tell it's effectiveness is wearing off. I have to wash twice with the dish soap instead of just once.

What can I do?

[laohaire]

I wrote your post about a month ago. Almost word-for-word. The only difference was that I emphasized that the smell I am suffering from is not the typical B.O. that everybody gets if they sweat a lot or haven't taken a shower recently, but something that smelled like an illness or infection.

I updated later saying that rubbing alchohol worked! Yay! But like you, that only worked for a little while. The first time it knocked out the smell for maybe 4 days (so I only needed to wash myself with standard soap to keep smell-free). Then the next application lasted 2 days, then the next lasted a day. Now it would probably work if I used it every day but, um, no thanks.

So here I am. It's more in the right armpit, only a little in the left. Every time I complain about it to DH he just says I need to shower more, which pisses me off. I mean, he keeps completely ignoring the fact that I can shower and scrub myself with 3 different soaps and still come out smelling like it. So don't tell me it's normal and that showering more than once daily is a reasonable solution. (Sorry, just being grouchy at DH here).

We must be infected with something. Personally I think it's something living in my armpit as opposed to smelling bad because of what I eat or something, but who knows.

[rhiandmoi]

I think it is probably an overgrowth of something. Maybe fungal. Can you go to a dermatologist and get a culture done? If not, I don't think you could hurt yourself with OTC Lotrimin if the skin isn't broken.

Some other things to consider, a stronger antimicrobial soap, like tar soap. You might have to find this at a tack and feed store, and it has it's own strong odor. But it kills microbes pretty good. I think you might be doing something to your pH that is causing the odor causing microbes to go crazy.

[2xy]

My mom had this problem years ago. She also had secondary infertility, and after about a year of hormone therapy, ovulation reappeared and her stink went away.

Maybe a hormone imbalance?

[PaulaJoAnne]

Ladies,
Rather then focusing on the area that the smell is coming from, I highly recommend a diet change, and a look into what your hormone levels are doing.
Processed foods and a gut that is not being nourished lead to an over taxed endocrine system.
A good TF diet, that includes lacto fermented veges and beverages, along with raw dairy and pastured meat and eggs and good quality veges, is key to stopping the stink.

DH and I have been through all of this.
Now that it is summer, we of course have a tiny bit of BO on hot days, but other then that, deoderents are not needed the rest of the time.
Our endorcrine systems are in balance, which shows the whole body is balanced.

[saimeiyu]

Originally Posted by 2xy

My mom had this problem years ago. She also had secondary infertility, and after about a year of hormone therapy, ovulation reappeared and her stink went away.

Maybe a hormone imbalance?

I do also have some problems with my hormones.... But I am ovulating, though. I am trying to pin down exactly what my issues are. Unfortunately, it's hard for me because for one reason or another, all the doctors in my area don't seem to have a *clue* about charting and think I must be nuts when I try to talk to them about it. And I live on an island, so I'm kind of SOL for driving to see a doctor farther away.

I will see if I can get in to see a dermatologist for a culture or something. I still have a rash from my adventures with too much baking soda so I'm hesitant to put the lotrimin on them just yet..

As for diet, we try to eat a whole foods diet and minimize processed foods, but a lot of that stuff just isn't feasible. There is no raw dairy to be had on my island, and the cost for the "good" meats is just too prohibitive. We do try to stick to organic and fresh veggies whenever we can.

What kinds of things are you thinking of regarding Ph?

[Fyrestorm]

I was watching a show (mystery diagnosis maybe?) and they were discussing a metabolic disorder that causes this. It's called Trimethylaminuria. It usually causes a fish like odor, but can be more like sweaty body odor.

I have no idea if this might be the problem, but maybe it's something to look into. It's not curable, but there are some treatments if I remember correctly.

[saimeiyu]

Originally Posted by Fyrestorm

I was watching a show (mystery diagnosis maybe?) and they were discussing a metabolic disorder that causes this. It's called Trimethylaminuria. It usually causes a fish like odor, but can be more like sweaty body odor.

I have no idea if this might be the problem, but maybe it's something to look into. It's not curable, but there are some treatments if I remember correctly.

Oh, That's nice. I'll google it and see if anything sounds familiar. Since it's metabolic, do you know if it's connected to weight gain/inability to lose weight?

ETA: Yeah... I don't think that's my problem. I don't think I smell fishy. I don't think...

[Fyrestorm]

Originally Posted by saimeiyu

Oh, That's nice. I'll google it and see if anything sounds familiar. Since it's metabolic, do you know if it's connected to weight gain/inability to lose weight?

It wasn't related to the symptoms the woman they were profiling.

[saimeiyu]

haha, you replied too fast.

Thanks!
I don't know what's up with me... I have had this problem for ages but now that I've gone through every combination of soaps imaginable, I'm about fed up with it.

[rhiandmoi]

Soap could be part of the problem. What is the odor like? Do you have oily or dry skin? What about dandruff/other skin problems? Are you a sweater or a non-sweater?

[Fyrestorm]

They say it's not always a fishy smell...in the woman's case that they were profiling, it was bad body odor.

I hate using Wiki as a reference...but:

Trimethylaminuria (TMAU), also known as fish odor syndrome or fish malodor syndrome[1], is a rare metabolic disorder that causes a defect in the normal production of the enzyme Flavin containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3).[2][3] When FMO3 is not working correctly or if not enough enzyme is produced, the body loses the ability to properly break down trimethylamine (TMA) from precursor compounds in food digestion into trimethylamine oxide (TMAO) through a process called N-oxygenation. Trimethylamine then builds up and is released in the person's sweat, urine, and breath, giving off a strong fishy odor or strong body odor.

[Barbee]

Like a few other posts said, I would look at your diet. When I eat too much sugar and not enough fresh veggies, I smell. The minute I change my bad habits, I stop smelling. I don't think you have to go all the way to a TF diet if that's not feasible. More fresh veggies, less sugar.

[saimeiyu]

Originally Posted by rhiandmoi

Soap could be part of the problem. What is the odor like? Do you have oily or dry skin? What about dandruff/other skin problems? Are you a sweater or a non-sweater?

Well, if soap was part of the problem, I'd at least expect that it would be somewhat abated after swimming or rubbing alcohol or something, you know?

I don't know how to describe the smell other than body odor. Sweaty. I don't smell girl-sweaty, though. I smell smelly like a guy would smell smelly. Makes sense? My sister says I smell like my dad. It's powerful.

My skin is fairly normal, I think. I don't really think it trends either way. Some spots on my face are a *tiny* little bit oily, but I think it's "normal" oily. I don't have problems with acne on my face. I do get funny bumps on the back of my arms, though, but I don't think it's acne. At least, not like you'd get pimples on your face. I do have psoriasis on my scalp and a little on my elbows, but other than that... I am a sweater, I think... But it dries really quickly usually, except for under my boobs. If I'm not sweating I'm dehydrated.

[saimeiyu]

Originally Posted by Barbee

Like a few other posts said, I would look at your diet. When I eat too much sugar and not enough fresh veggies, I smell. The minute I change my bad habits, I stop smelling. I don't think you have to go all the way to a TF diet if that's not feasible. More fresh veggies, less sugar.

I do have a sugar addiction that I'm trying to kick. I don't notice a difference in smell when I'm doing well with that addiction for weeks at a time, though.

[2xy]

Originally Posted by saimeiyu

I do also have some problems with my hormones.... But I am ovulating, though. I am trying to pin down exactly what my issues are. Unfortunately, it's hard for me because for one reason or another, all the doctors in my area don't seem to have a *clue* about charting and think I must be nuts when I try to talk to them about it. And I live on an island, so I'm kind of SOL for driving to see a doctor farther away.

Well, I didn't notice your location earlier, but I grew up on Oahu and my mom still lives there. I can try and get a recommendation for an endocrinologist from her if you're interested.

[rhiasmum]

I would look at diet too. For what it's worth, a few years ago I was on the South Beach diet and noticed a change in body odor (for the better) while I was on it. I didn't/don't have your problem but that's another diet change to look at (carbs and sugar). Good luck!

[Juvysen]

I didn't read all the posts, but...

I've been having a similar issue. HOWEVER... I've asked DH to smell me and he says he doesn't smell anything. So, I think I might just be oversensitive to it.

Just thought I'd throw that out there. It explains why my antiperspirant only "works" for a month or two, though - because when I get used to the antiperspirant smell, my smell is still there underneith. DH says I smell like the antiperspirant at those times. :

I'm not sure what to do beyond that, though, you know?

[MamabearTo4]

Originally Posted by PaulaJoAnne

Ladies,
Rather then focusing on the area that the smell is coming from, I highly recommend a diet change, and a look into what your hormone levels are doing.
Processed foods and a gut that is not being nourished lead to an over taxed endocrine system.

Yes, yes, yes! In January, I did a 21-day cleanse and felt so good, I was inspired to go raw. I noticed LOTS of changes during that time, one of which was my body odor - I had none. Or, if I did, it was...sweet, sort of. Not offensive at all. I started slipping, eating breads and sugars and my odor changed - started getting more offensive. I eliminated those things and went back to raw, and the odor is gone. I still sweat, but I don't stink, KWIM?

I would stop using all of those products. Change up your diet, get plenty of water, maybe do a gentle detox and be patient! It's going to take a little while for the funk to clear out of your bod. Right now, I might use deodorant every 3 days if I'm not able to shower (ew!), but usually I shower every other day (in the warm months) with Aubrey baby soap and I'm telling you - it really changes things! Some people do need to use something, so find something gentle and stick to it. IMO, the odor you're smelling is your body working hard and getting rid of stuff it just doesn't need. And if it's really, really, smelly, imagine what's in there that needs to get out so badly, KWIM?

Good luck, and please do keep us updated!

[MamabearTo4]

Oh, yeah - about the sugar addiction... When I was going through the same thing, I'd pop a date in my mouth and suck on it. It satisfied me (or bored me to the point I wasn't craving the sugar) and I was able to move past the craving for that moment. Dates are very good for you, too!