Oily Greasy Odor as I age: What helps?

.... my husband of 40 yrs, he will be 70 soon; his bedroom has similar odour...sort of greasy and I change his pillow case every day or two... he has frequent showers; smoker since age of 15 and where his back has been on the sheet over time there is a light brown stain.... his clothing is clean , he uses deodorant...he has never asked a dr. about this as seems oblivious to it. Even after I launder the bedding there is a slight odour especially on the pillow slip..I used to work with a woman who said her husband's same and she put it down to his diabetes, not sure why, but my husband has it too... maybe some other readers have some suggestions ..... J.

@ron1972 Welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect.

Some people seem to get into a phase where their skin releases smells or odors based on health conditions, or diet. Is the EPI you listed also know as exocrine pancreatic insufficiency? That might have some symptoms related to your concern, as it causes issues in breaking down foods you eat. See the article listed below from WebMD.

Have you spoken to your medical team about this? If it is something new, I would think a question posed will be a good thing, and set your mind at ease. And remember, as we age, our bodies go through a lot of changes, including our skin getting thinner so to speak. Our skin acts as a big breathing organ to the innards of our bodies.

https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/epi-explained#:~:text=Exocrine%20pancreatic%20insufficiency%20(EPI)%20is,your%20body%20can%20use%20them.
Ginger

I am so sorry you are dealing with this. It was lifechanging for one of my relatives who experienced something similar, but is better now. Is was so frustrating when he was doing everything he could do (staying clean, wearing deodorant,etc) and the odor appears despite his efforts. His MD called it "bromhyidrosis" and said it can result from several different causes and there are various "manifestations." Here is a brief description of the various types, potential causes and the variety of treatments which can include avoiding certain foods, hygiene patterns, application of specific soaps/chemicals, surgery, etc. https://dermnetnz.org/topics/bromhidrosis This excerpt from the Merck Manual also helped us understand it better: "Eccrine bromhidrosis can occur when bacteria degrade keratin that has been softened by eccrine sweat. Eccrine bromhidrosis can also result from ingestion of foods (eg, curry, garlic, onion, alcohol) and drugs (eg, penicillin)............In some people, a few days of washing with an antiseptic soap, which may be combined with use of antibacterial creams containing clindamycin or erythromycin, may be necessary. Shaving the hair in the armpits may also help control odor. People can also promptly remove sweaty clothing and use deodorants or antiperspirants. Deodorants mask odor, whereas antiperspirants reduce sweat production." If not already considered, I hope you will see your MD to evaluate potential causes and treatment options, maybe before trying anything as pre-existing disease might preclude some treatment options. Also, we noted that his pet cat was not put off by his "odor" and it's continued TLC has been extremely appreciated. Praying for better days ahead for you and for anyone else going through this.

I have been having to ask and remind my husband to wear his deodorant/antiperspirants recently and to shower more regularly (he doesn't always have the best daily hygiene, something I wish I could change) because something about his body odor recently has turned to a pungent oily, greasy smell. He sleeps with his arms up half the night and I normally sleep on my left side which faces him, but I can barely stand to be close to him. I hate it, because I used to love to be near him, and his normal "scent" was attractive. I started doing some research to see if I could find what may be causing it because this is going to be detrimental to our relationship. I see some information above, thank you for that. I also found an article regarding research done about that oily, greasy smell as well. Because I'm a new member I can't share the link but it is through mandom corp. Maybe if you look that up and combine it with Middle Aged Oily Odor, it will pull it up for you.

...wish I could help you too... my spouse a different issue in that its not his body odour but the bedding has the oily odour and has for years, he used to have shower every night but now as a senior and not working up a sweat type thing just a few showers a week: but the odour is definitely oily and after laundering his bedding it still has a lingering odour... I think it's the bamboo sheets and such material too - wheras older cotton sheets could be washed in hot water etc. As someone mentined above, sometimes its medication, alcohol and he is a smoker life long and there is even a light brown stain through to the mattress pad from his back!! Second marriage, older, and both used to snore so each have our own bedrooms for years, walking into his can smell it. so its mostly output at night... but this would be a problem in many marriages and I hope you can find a solution. Daily showers, deodorant/antiperspirant, as above comment?? Good luck J.

Have you tried vinegar in your washing mashing? Just pour about a half cup in the dispenser where the fabric softener would normally go. Fabric softeners can build up in fabrics and allow odors to permeate (in my opinion). Vinegar is inexpensive if you buy a large bottle, and is good for your machine.

Good luck! Cindy

Hi Ron:
I am so sorry that you are having this problem. I have researched nonenal odor. I am not saying that is your particular problem. But, what I found might be helpful for you. Persimmon Extract (or tannin), is a potent antiseptic loaded with vitamins that has been used by the Japanese for its naturally purifying and deodorizing benefits. It naturally dissolves nonenal odor. As one ages, the skin’s antioxidant defenses start to weaken which can result in a funky type of odor.

I found a product that -in my experience – is very effective in eradicating that "old age" smell. I am not recommending for you to buy it but it certainly is worth checking out. Best of luck to you!

Here are two links:
https://www.amazon.com/Mirai-Clinical-Deodorizing-Sulfate-Free-Moisturizing/dp/B01KW62HPM/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?hvadid=580841988403&hvdev=c&hvlocphy=9061109&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=5483922919699251291&hvtargid=kwd-22795000175&hydadcr=14802_13387519&keywords=persimmon+shampoo&qid=1691078082&sr=8-3-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1
https://miraiclinical.com/products/purifying-deodorizing-hair-shampoo?variant=31921183719556&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&nbt=nb%3Aadwords%3Ax%3A15498592071%3A%3A&nb_adtype=pla&nb_kwd=&nb_ti=&nb_mi=257021513&nb_pc=online&nb_pi=shopify_US_4498718687364_31921183719556&nb_ppi=&nb_placement=&nb_li_ms=&nb_lp_ms=&nb_fii=&nb_ap=&nb_mt=&campaignid=15498592071&adgroupid=&adid=&gclid=Cj0KCQjwoK2mBhDzARIsADGbjereBTFsAJy7sbDOXX3Y4p4iEENfwtotQ7KKyCLlmGl_F56WPWkdx4UaAq20EALw_wcB

I have the same issue with my husband of 43 years, he is now 67 yrs old. His skin has always had a milky smell but the last few years his head and skin smells horrible. Sheets where his head and back are get greasy in a couple days, so hard to get the stains and smell out. He has diabetes and takes insulin and is in a lot of meds for heart disease. He does have a fungal toenail and finger nail. I’m sure his doctors notice the smell but don’t address it. I don’t sleep well because of the smell. He showers daily. I can’t take it anymore.

I don’t know how you feel about having your own bedroom, if that’s a possibility in your home. My husband and I have slept apart for about 6 years, mostly because of his Parkinson’s (and he claims I snore!) but also we just both sleep better. The percentage of couples who no longer sleep together is more than you might expect. Snoring, room temperature, different sleep schedules all factor in. It’s kind of sad I guess but I do get a good night’s sleep on my own.

Best wishes to you, Cindy

I have tried vinegar, baking soda, laundry disinfectant but nothing takes away the musty old smell. I have to throw away sheets and pillows because of the odor. His clothes have that funk too. I don’t wash my clothes with his. He doesn’t drink or smoke but he does have diabetes. He does take a shower every night before going to bed but he is obvious to his odor. I’m going to ask my physician is taking insulin causes this. He’s always has it but it has gotten very bad the past couple years. From what I’m reading it could be a bacteria or fungus infection but other than the oily smell his skin is fine. I need to know how to tell him to go to a doctor or dermatologist for help. Doctors have changed in the past decades. A complete physical is a joke. A series of questions, weight, BP and a few blood tests and you’re out the door. When I worked for a physician 40 years ago, the patient stripped and put a gown on and the doctor examined the patient’s entire body and the complete physical took 1.5 hours. Those days are long gone. Today we have to do our own research and come up with solutions.