Unknown Body Odor
I need help! I've got a bad odor coming from my body, that I can't smell. Yes it's hard to explain. Doctors think I'm making it up. In public people avoid closeness, coughing, holding their noses, avoiding me at all cost. I'm a prisoner in my home. Don't venture out unless low on food and pick times to do it. I'm constantly shamed.im healthy, clean. Homes clean, I can't explain. Have spent last two yrs going to every type doctor to no avail. My family can't smell it either. Has anyone heard of this?
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Unique, where on your body do you feel that your smell is worse? Can you identify areas that seem worse. If so I would start looking at these areas first. It’s easier for a medical professional to focus there and begin some research in that area. Do other people tell you what the bad odour smells like? This could be an objective clue. Ask people what your smell is like. Let them know that you welcome their comments. Let a good friend smell you from head to foot and tell you where the smell is worse. One suggestion, check and make sure you have not left a tampon inside you by accident as this can apparently create a bad smell that would get worse as time moves on. Keep looking for the cause, don’t give up. The answer is out there.
Thank you so much for your response and suggestion. People usually hint I smell like feet, or musty, mold, burnt weed. I have someone that I trust and my feet don’t smell at all, my shoes smell clean, socks too. I wear clean socks everyday, dry my feet with a hairdryer. But the smell seems to be constant. No tampons inside has been left, I have had yearly obgny checks. Everything is okay. Terry are perfect, no cavities, get checked and dental cleaning every 6 months. The odor decreases around my ovulation, I can smell myself at all time. Sometimes I get a poop smell if I eat too much of anything. I’m at loss here and doctor don’t have an answer for me.
Unique I am sorry that it has been so difficult for you to identify the problem. It’s too bad that there isn’t a scent meter that could analyse the scent and give answers with respect to where the scent comes from. Maybe there such a test I don’t know. Try enquiring at university medical centres. The other thought that I had is also far fetched but you talk about a fecal odour and it made me think about a friend who had intestinal surgery. He had to wear a bag and change it when it was full and I asked him about whether the fact that fecal matter was outside the body would him to have a odour that other people might be able to smell. He said that he took pills that prevented any odour. Just as a thought, maybe if you could try these type of pills whether it might have an effect on reducing odour unknown odour. A shot in the dark maybe. The other question is whether your hormones are out of whack. That might have an impact on you. Also, do you have any skin problems or scalp problems? Would you consider eliminating personal care products or changing brands to see whether you are allergic which might set up a secondary effect on your body resulting in a noxious odour. I think you should be in the care of a specialist, perhaps starting with a dermatologist. Not sure whether you mentioned seeing an ear, nose and throat specialist, and an endocrinologist might be helpful. I am not a medical professional, just throwing out suggestions that might be helpful.
Maybe what you are actually smelling is the inside of your own nasal cavity.
@unique30, In addition to the helpful posts from @willows and @anniegk, you might also be interested in these related discussions:
- Bad breath and body odor: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/bad-breath-and-body-odor/
- Body odor without sweat -- Sjogren's Syndrome? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/body-odor-without-sweat-sjogrens-syndrome/
I doubt the concept of smelling one’s own nasal cavity because normally when you smell something the brain habituates within about half an hour and you don’t smell it anymore even if the odour is actually present. However if someone else tells you that you have an odour, that is a more objective opinion.
I'm sorry for what you're going through. Could it be an abnormal strain of bacteria growing in your stomach or airways? I don't know how to even check for that.
Hi, I just read your 10 year old post. I wanted to ask if you are cured now. Thank you
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