[sphill (OP)]

This is a very personal issue and yet I really need some help with it.

I work for an organisation in Scotland, and despite changing my clothes every day, washing every day and using antiperspirant, my colleagues are still saying that there is an underlying smell coming from me.

They say that they cannot put their finger on what the smell is or where it is coming from so I was wandering if I could get help from a professional scientist who might know a thing or two about these things.

Thanks



S Phillips

[chris]

Sounds like you are having a hard time at the moment.

Do you believe you colleagues, or is there a chance that they are pulling you leg ? It wouldn't be the first time that people have been driven to paranoia by what started out as amusement for work colleagues.

Chris



"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

[nilmot]

My colleagues did that to me while I was doing work experiment. It's a possibility, but if you confront them, they won't tell you the truth anyway.

Tom

[Exodus]

Not sure if this is really relavent but some things you eat effects your body odour, for example garlic. Some people are able to break it down without it making your sweat smell, others however get a emit a distinct garlic fragrance. I find that if i eat a curry, i get chicken jalfrezi perspiration! Quite interesting... Could it possibly be associated with your diet?

Resident Tour Operator - The Naked Scientists

[sphill (OP)]

Chris

Yes, unfortunately they are being quite serious as it seems to have got so bad that I have to attend a disciplinary hearing (Wed 11th June)

I am desperately seeking some serious input, no mucking around!!!

S Phillips

[Donnah]

Hi Sphill,

I hope you like parsley.  Eating parsley reduces bad breath and body odor as does drinking mint tea (no sweetener or dairy).  Those can mask the smell, but what you really want is to find the source.

Have you checked with your doctor to see if there is a medical problem you are unaware of?  What body part seems to be the origin; your mouth, butt, feet...?  Is constipation a problem for you?  How much water do you drink?  How much coffee do you drink (or any diuretic beverage)?  If the body is dehydrated, it's harder to pass stool and that can contribute to body odor.  I agree with Richard, I'd take a close look at your diet.  

Have you checked the pH level of your body (it should be close to 6.5)?  You can buy pH paper at a drugstore and check your saliva and urine.  

How long have you used the same soap, shampoo, washing powder (for clothes).  It's remotely possible your body is reacting with something like that.  I once used a shampoo that made my hair smell like peanut butter when it got wet[xx(].

Another possibility is heavy metal buildup.  Do you have a lot of fillings?  Have you been exposed to chemicals?

I believe a little detective work will unearth the source of your problem, and obviously there are several of us willing to help.  Keep us posted.

Donnah

[Donnah]

Sphill, another thing that kills odor fast is chlorophyll.  The liquid form is quickly absorbed, and you can get it with mint flavoring, which gives you the double whammy.

[chris]

So where on your body is this odour supposed to be coming from ?

Chris

"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
 - Groucho Marx

[sphill (OP)]

Thanks for your input, by the way, one thing I did forget to mention is that the odour might not be a body odour, but a stale smell coming from my clothes. My wife and I have looked into the possibility that it might be "campher" the smell that comes from moth-balls so this might be the solution. Any other ideas re: clothes-type smells would be welcome.

S Phillips

[Ians Daddy]

Diet is a huge factor in this matter, as well as constipation. Waste inside the body can cause the body to emit the odor. Especially through the hands and more obvious areas of the body. You should be drinking more water. In fact, we all should. It aids in digestion, blood flow, sweat, and many other areas of good health. I've an uncle that, not to be crass, was literaly full of s--t. He had 14lbs of it flushed from him in the hospital. The moth-balls are more than likely the culprit...they stink. If you are a smoker, you may be smelling of that and not even know it. Smoking also deadens the olfactory nerves and leads to super-saturation being more possible. If you have animals in the house, sometimes that can be "on you" and because of super-saturation, you don't pick it up. A combination of 2 or more of these things could be the problem.

As for a solution to the moth-balls, use cedar. It smells good and does the same for pests.

I had a girlfriend in high school that ate fruit for a solid week. No joke, she smelled of oranges. Check your diet and your home and double up on the water intake.

Oh, also, your body can become immune to deodorants after some time. Change your deodorant and soaps on top of all this and you should come out.....well,.... smelling like a rose.

Good luck,
Ronnie

[Donnah]

Most of us use too much soap in the washing machine.  Remember, the people who tell you how much to use are in the business of selling soap.  Try washing your clothes in plain water occasionally.  When you do, lift the lid of the machine after it has been agitating for a few minutes and you'll likely see lots of suds.

[bezoar]

There might be a physical reason for the odor.  I once had a patient with a pituitary tumor who kept an awful body odor.  Even after we bathed him, he smelled.  Then, I've noticed that patients get a very distinctive odor to their breath after they have a seizure.  If you're on medication, that could be causing an odor.  Is it a breath odor or a body odor.  And has getting rid of the moth balls helped?

Bezoar

[qazibasit]

do one thing take some leaves of Neem a tree in asian countries. Take some fresh leaves and then put it in water and boil the water after that take a bath with that water and than observe the results and tell me by mailing me at qazibasit@yahoo.com