Long story about body odor, can someone help?

Question

It all started in June... of last year. I started getting body odor. I switched deodorants but that didn't work.I finally went to the dermatologist in january and she gave me ointments for yeast infection and something else that I forgot but those didn't work. This is a distinct onion smell and most of the time it clogs up one of my nostrils. I've had this problem for a whole year and it's very embarassing for a college student to smell like this in class. Should I go to my dermatologist again? (and pay for another appointment.) For the past year I've tried everything: new deodorants, new clothes,new soaps, and still I get the same onion smell after I showed and even WHILE i shower. It's really a strong odor and I even stopped hanging out with my friends cause I felt so embarassed. (It was obvious that they noticed) I will try anything. The truth is I'm not even sure if the odor is coming from my armpits but that's the only part that can create such a bad odor right?

Answer 1

Silly question but, have you been eating lots of onions? I've read that eating lots of carrots can turn skin orange, and I know that some ingredient in Indian food can cause a certain body odor (I've experience this), so maybe it's something you're eating, even if it's not onions. A sulfer-type smell? Hmm.

It seems to me that it would help if you can figure out where the odor is coming from. It might feel weird to sniff yourself, but how else can you find the source? Perhaps you could ask a good friend or family member for help in finding the source, if you're unable to find it yourself.

In any event, baking soda might help. You can use it as a deodorant (while your underarms, or whatever, are still slightly damp from the shower), you can soak in a comfy bath with baking soda added to the water, and you can even use it as a laundry additive to keep your clothing, bedding, etc. smelling clean and fresh.

Baking soda is inexpensive (buy store brand, it's just as good as the name brand, and costs less), and won't harm the environment.

Answer 2

I don't think the whiff you are getting is only from your armpits. It is sometimes very hard for us to smell ourselves since our brains become accustomed to checking on 'the usual suspects' when it comes to body odor (i.e., breath, pits, crotch).
You might look into a couple of things if you haven't already:
1) Your diet, because it does effect not only your breath, but the smell of your sweat. And make sure to drink plenty of WATER also, because doing so does make a difference.
2) Consider the fabrics you wear. Do you wear clothes that 'breathe', like cotton? Because synthetics trap in the sweat and give it no place to go, which can sometimes breed more bacteria.
3) You might be having an allergic reaction to some product you are using. Sometimes allergies develop the older we get. Try some 'natural' products, it might help.

I would also recommend going back to the dermatologist, but try a different one. Get a different opinion. She sounds like she just slapped some medicine in your hand and didn't explain anything.Try a general doctor as well, because you might need a regular check-up. Make sure to ask lots of questions.

Hope this helps....Good luck!

Answer 3

I had forgotten about teatree oil. Nice post

The smell could be from:
- the food you eat
- bacteria on your skin
- apocrine gland infection
- other infection


Odour can be caused by the food you eat, the smell comes through the skin and the sweat, so that area is worth an investigation. Drink plenty of water, that reduces the smell of the sweat also.



If it is not the food you eat or other infection. Then:
The smell could be from aprocine gland (sweat glands that release oily scent) infection, or the odour from sweat eating bacteria(that washing doesnt kill). The aprocine gland infection can be treated by a Doctor.

The sweat eating bacteria can be kill by the following:

Try washing the area with antibacterial soap, vodka, baking-soda+water solution or vinegar.

Antibacterial soap, cornstarch, vodka, baking-soda+water solution or vinegar , singularly or in combination, all kill the smell-creating bacteria( the bacteria eats sweat and creates an odour) and neutralise the aprocine sweat scent, that washing doesnt remove. You could the juices from tomatos, thats used to remove the scent of skunks. Skunk scent is very hard to neutralise, so tomato sauce will work for human scent.


Also, change your underwear daily(if you dont already), and wash your clothes with coloursafe bleach , to kill the odour causing bacteria in the clothes


Some other ideas are here
be careful about rubbing alcohol, as that hardens and thickens the skin
http://www.otan.dni.us/webfarm/emailproject/hai.htm

Good Luck

Answer 4

First of all, do you eat a lot of onions? Or have you recently started eating anything differently? Perhaps taking a vitamin you didn't take before or even not taking one you took in the past. You could try varying certain aspects of your diet and see if that does anything. Until you can figure out exactly what the cause is, try using vinegar to wash in the shower. That's one of the best things to get rid of unpleasant odors that I know of. I really hope it helps.

Answer 5

I don't even wear deodorant any more because of Bikram Yoga. I think maybe a sauna would work the same way. Sweat out all that bacteria that builds up under your skin.

If you do Bikram Yoga, you have to be pretty hard core to get all the benefits, but you'll smell really good after a few weeks.

Answer 6

You could try getting some new anti-perspirent soap, deodorant, shampoo, etc. these work the best and alo you could try to use deodorant, body spray, and cologne or perfume all right after each other this might stop some of the smell. Good luck.

Answer 7

Believe it or not, people who go on 100% raw vegan diet often report that they have very significant decreases in body odor, even to the point of never needing deodorant anymore.

That's what i would do if I were you, and also buy and drink about 4 cups of pau d'arco tea daily for at least threee months.

Answer 8

Have you tried going to other specialists? Maybe the problem is not caused by dermatological problems. Maybe some infections inside of your body, it is possible. Or maybe, it is something about what you eat. Like shawarmas can cause bad odors. Try consulting a General Practitioner and see what he can say.

In my opinion, body odors caused by external dermatological problems can easily be solved by a simple bath. But what do I know?

Answer 9

I am studying to be a natural health consultant. It entails many herbalist remedies. I have had many success stories including people I know, using a tea tree oil soap in combination with tea tree oil deodorant. Try drinking water more than you do, and cut down on your salt intake.

Answer 10

Try shaving your arm pits. The hair absorbs the B.O. and it can last even passed taking a shower. Remove the hair and your problems will be over.