hygiene concern?

Question

Hello, folks.

FOUR times in my life, I've been taken aside by supervisors to tell me that coworkers have complained of an odor about me. One time, I believe it was because my plaster walking-cast got wet in the rain. But the other three stymie me.

I don't wear clothes that aren't clean. I shower every day -- sometimes twice! I frequently wear two pairs of socks, because I know that my feet sweat a lot.

I use deodorant / antiperspirant always. I don't always wear cologne -- my dad used to tell me I wore too much -- I might have issues still.

At one point, I was going to the gym immediately before going to work -- thusly, my dirty gym clothes were in a bag below my desk.

I can't afford to buy a lot of new clothes, but am afraid that there's something in my wardrobe now. I also can't afford to buy new shoes -- I need to make them last a long time.

I don't know what to do. It's demoralizing to here this from a supervisor. I need your thoughts.

Thanks, y'all.

Oh, by the way. It's not the gym bag. That was last time....

FYI...!

Answer 1

Yikes!

Why not think about asking someone you know to be completely honest, come to your home and sniff out the wardrobe and sniff you.

I am assuming that you shower daily and wash your hair. Other that the above, I would go to a doctor. Sometimes people have a natural body scent that is not pleasant. Perhaps doc can suggest something?

I knew a person like that (he was on some sort of meds). Nothing he could do about it.

Good luck.

Answer 2

I've had this problem at times. There are some people who's natural odor is offensive to others even when they shower frequently and use deodorant. It's just the way you are made. You might mention it to your doctor the next time you have to be there anyway, but it is certainly not worth a special trip.

I think it is possible that the gym bag under the desk is largely at fault, or it could be your shoes and socks. Most podiatrists recommend you have at least two pairs of shoes so that one pair can air out while you wear the others. Many of us cannot afford that. Have you tried a little Amman's powder in your shoes before you put them on? Just a little, or next thing you know someone will complain about the smell of the powder.

Answer 3

You have to watch all of this stuff all of the time. It can't be the shoes one day and a gym bag the other. Don't go to the gym before work, go after. People do this and then smell bad all day, it's unfair to cooworkers. You need an overhaul, it doesn't have to be expensive, but make sure everything is clean all the time- this will take 20 minutes a day total if you get into good habits:

ie.
take out garbage- 5 minutes
powder shoes before bed every night (1 minute)
spray Febreeze- 2 minutes

Also, you can get shoes from Payless for 10 dollars or so- get one or two more pairs and powder them.


Good luck to you, I hope you get it taken care of.

Answer 4

You stated that you were going to the gym "immediately before going to work." If you did not shower prior to going to work, then that would be the reason why you would smell. Even if you applied deodorant, your skin, which held perspiration would still smell.

You should also consider finding a way to secure your sweaty gym clothes so that your co-workers won't smell them under your desk. Be sure to wash them often as well, because repeated work out in them will definitely result in stinky clothes. Spray some Lysol and place one of those scented Airwick or Glade air fresheners in your work area.

Second, you would be surprised at how horrible sweaty feet can smell to everyone around you, even if you are immune to it. Thoroughly clean out the inside of your shoes with some alcohol on a washcloth and allow it to dry. Most of the odor comes from dead skin that sheds inside the shoes, so you can imagine how dead skin reeks.

Make some effort to buy another pair of shoes so that you can alternate them and allow them to air out. If you wear the same pair of shoes every day, they will smell awful. As for the clothes, make sure that you keep them well laundered. Don't wear the same underwear or shirt more than once unless you wash them.

Brush and floss your teeth often and rinse your mouth with a mixture of lukewarm water and hydrogen peroxide. If you have bad teeth or infected gums, have your dentist treat it.

Next, do wear some cologne. It doesn't have to be overpowering. You can find appealing, inexpensive drugstore brands. You also need someone to look out for you. Speak to a family member or really close friend and ask his/her opinion as to whether this is all working. If, after this, you don't see any improvement, go to your doctor for a complete physical and have your thyroid checked. Good luck.

Answer 5

Hi there --

I have personally had two different instances that were similar. One, was a co-worker who had a musty odor. I didn't recognize it until one time we took a dip in a friend;s wooden hot tub. Sure enough it clung to me, even through a shower the next day. Do you have an ozone purified hot tub?

Years ago I also had a perfume that i LOVED on a friend, but every time i tried it ---- it started nice, but reacted with my own chemistry and turned to a scent like wet wool, or wet sheepdog!

Additionally, i saw a television special about a woman with a naturally occurring fishy odor. It was an enzyme that wasn't being processed properly by her body. I have included a link to a page about that too.

You might try chlorophyll tablets. They dissolve in the stomach and as you digest it neutralizes odor from the stomach flora, and also on thought your sweat & pores.

You could also confide in a trusted friend to do a wardrobe sniff. If your clothing has picked up this odor, washing one piece at a time and replacing it in a closet of others wont help. Maybe a full scale wash of every item in the closet, with a Febreeze like detergent, and spraying the closet might be worth it.

Bottom line --- check with your doctor to see if it is something with your body chemistry that might be a symptom of another problem.

Good Luck!

Answer 6

Loads of good advice here. Just might add that you should give your clothes and bath towels and linens a good washing in hot water--and throw a half a cup of baking soda into the machine for good measure. Before you put them away, wash out your dressers and the surfaces of your closet with a damp, soapy sponge. Then add some cedar sachets--or just cedar chips in socks, more manly that way--to give things a fresh, clean smell.

You also might consider your water. If you have a septic system, you may have a seepage issue. Or you might live in an area where the water is hard and stinky. Sulphurous showers can make you smell like boiled eggs.

Good luck.

Answer 7

i have a friend who has bad B O (she cant figure it out either).
i hope you resolve it .
try wearing a light cologne and freshening your breath often. a good mans deodorant i noticed i liked is AX.
also ask someone close to be frank with you.
have merry maids or a cleaning lady(or a friend) come and give your house a thorough cleaning. and wash clothes in a super-size washing machine at a Laundromat with a good soap like tide allergens. wash sheets and spray mattress with febreeze or Lysol disinfectant antibacterial. ask someone you trust to help with all this.
also old navy and target and Kohl's always have great sales and you might be able to get a few new things for cheaper than you think.
when your B-day or a holiday comes around and someone asks what you need- a gift card to target or walmart would be good because you can buy any cleaning or hygiene products there and even new clothes and shoes!
you can try to eat more fruits too!
Good Luck to you!

Answer 8

Asking is what makes the difference.

You have received some really good advice here so I wont add to the list.I just wanted you to know that you should not feel ashamed about it.I'm glad that you seeked advice.

Dont let the situation keep you from doing stuff that you like to do,ok.

Smile,everything will work out for you.

GOD bless.

Answer 9

You might want to see your doctor. I'm not sure, but I think there is a medical condition that can cause a bad body smell. Also, like someone else said, some foods can cause odors on the skin. Someone once told me that fish can do that.

Answer 10

Most of the time people who smell bad don't know it because they are so used to it. Even their family members are used to it from smelling her all the time. If your supervisor said your co-workers complain about your odour, trust me and them that it's true. The first step to solve this problem is to believe that it's true. Can you find a close co-worker whom you like and trust to tell you just what does she think your odour comes from and how can you solve it.