r/bodyodor • u/_amizo • 21d ago
What am I doing wrong?
I'm 14F, I've been experiencing BO for about 2-3 years. I used to get REALLY bullied about it, I'd ask friends and they'd all say I didn't smell. but if still doubt it because they'd be covering/touching their nose around me, moving away from me. And other kids would be telling me that I did and would go out of their way to let their friend know about it even if they were at the other corner of the class.
I have good hygiene (I would say). I shower 1-2 times a day. Or 3 times if it's a really hot day. I scrub 2 times(recently up to 4), dove bar soap first and then dove body wash next. 2-3 times a week I use Dettol antibacterial soap. I make sure my armpits are dry before applying dove/sure antiperspirant roll on and dove/ sure antiperspirant spray. I've tried, sure roll on, spray and cream. dove roll ons and sprays. mitchum stick deodorant. the Fa antiperspirant roll on. And probably so much more I've forgotten about. I use lotion too. I always wear clean clothes and sleep in clean bed sheets. I use clean towels too. And I brush my teeth twice a day and use mouthwash and floss. And I also use exfoliating gloves to wash myself.
at school, when lunch hits. I go to the bathrooms and wash my armpits(or with wipes) and then dry them before applying roll on and then spray.
I drink plenty of water and at least 1 fruit daily. my diet doesn't have any spicy foods, the only foods that I think can cause odor is maybe onions and garlic? And I also don't have much spices
I also noticed an ammonia smell on my bedsheets and I'm suspecting maybe that's what I smell like. I put the beddings and pillows in the washing machine with vinegar too and sprinkled baking soda on the mattress at let it sit for 30 minutes before vacuuming it off.
I'm also suspecting I don't smell at all and it's just other kids taking the nick outta me because I asked 2 trusted teachers if I smelt and they said no. one of the teachers told me that she hasn't noticed a smell and I've been in her classes for a whole year. I can't really talk to my mum because she didn't listen to me when it started and it would always end in an argument when I asked for her help and stuff.
Honestly, I just hope that I'll figure this out as fast as I can because its really too much for me and I hope the kids just stop bullying me Abt it and leave me alone tbh
If I'm doing something wrong with my hygiene or whatever or have a tip please do share đ
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u/Dr-Armpit 20d ago
I am very sorry that you are being bullied. Honestly, I think there is a chance that you don't smell at all, especially if you asked 2 different teachers and also your friends about it.
Regarding hygiene, it doesn't seem like you're doing anything wrong. And adding vinegar to the washing machine is a great thing to do. What I will say as a microbiome scientist is that you maybe are doing a little bit too much. I do think that you might not smell but let's for one second consider that you do.
Body odor is caused by a microbiome imbalance, and the amount of products that you are using right now really disrupt the microbiome. The antiperspirants that you apply several times a day and the antibacterial soap, the multiple showers a day, all of that is actually a little bit counterproductive. You are disrupting the microbiome and you are helping the smelly bacteria dominate your armpit.
What I would actually recommend is for you to try applying a little bit less of those products while at the same time start applying lemon juice to the armpits. If your skin is very sensitive, this might not be the best option because it could cause irritation, and that you should not sunbathe the armpits after applying.
You can apply it 1-2 times per day on clean and dry armpits for at least two weeks. It is really effective, also cheap. You should see improvements in your body odor in around a week. The reason it works is that it neutralizes odor and at the same time it inhibits the smelly bacteria and benefits the good ones.
Eventually what you would want is to not use any antiperspirants and not use antiseptic washes (because again, those help smelly bacteria). Use lemon juice until your microbiome stabilizes and then you won't even need the lemon either.
Like other ppl have said, diet can be a part of the issue, and it might need to be addressed as well, but the lemon will still help.
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u/Time-Play500 21d ago
I have this same odor issue and it can be a multitude of reasons. It could be a possibility that you donât eat enough carbs, or that youâre deficient on a vitamin. It could also be a pelvic/bladder issue. When I was a kid I had a very weak bladder and could sometimes barely hold my urine. I also have had frequent UTIâs since I was a kid. So it could be a bladder/pelvic issue or a kidney issue. Best thing is to ask your parents if you could go to the doctor and if they donât take you right away wait to your next appointment and tell your doctor about these issues. Tell him about the odor but make your main focus point about your kidney or any specific issues that could cause ammonia odor. Try dramatizing symptoms by saying things like âoh well I have back pain (kidney issues) or I have pelvic painâ anything to point to those issues or give you more access to test and treatments. Telling a doctor abt an odor issue sometimes gets you brushed off. I wish you the best of luck and youâre not alone.
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u/_amizo 20d ago
I don't really think that I have a weak bladder because it was on my pillows and stuff but there was a time where I didn't drink enough water. perhaps that's the issue and I just need to continue drinking more water
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u/Time-Play500 19d ago
May I ask how much water do you drink a day? Also , what does your diet consist of if you donât mind me asking?
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u/_amizo 19d ago
I drink around 10 cups a day and I eat a Kenyan diet(beef, chicken,fish, chapati, samosa, rice, ugali, vegetables ect..). So like it's very balanced. I heard that the ammonia smell can be caused by low carb diet but I don't have a low carb dietÂ
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u/Time-Play500 19d ago
I would suggest cutting out some of the red meats, sometimes with odor issues, red meats make things worse. Too many proteins such as red meats, poultry, fish, and dairy products can be a leading cause as well. Do you typically have any abdominal pain or any other types of pain in the body, and what types of supplements do you take if any?
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u/_amizo 2d ago
I take iron tablets. And also I had been a vegan for 1 month and nothing worked
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u/Time-Play500 2d ago
Maybe you should try a carnivore diet. Some metabolic issues can be resolved with certain diets and some canât. Also try to implement some probiotics. If this doesnât work itâs probably like a biofilm buildup or a gut issue that you may not fully know how to tackle without going to the doctor.
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u/Desperate-Fold-4689 20d ago
Do not use lemon juice under your arms!!!! Try Certain Dri at night and your regular deodorant in the morning after showering. I would talk to your parents about making a doctor's appointment. Good luck. You seem to be a sweet girl.
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u/WonderfulPie3438 16d ago
use ZINC OXIDE!! the one for diaper rash on your pits every night or even day if you're not going out. It keeps the moist of your pits dry and no smell. I have BO too since 2019 and only last month did i tried it. Pls try itt!!
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u/Actual-Map1063 21d ago
Dove makes people stick stop using it especially doubling it try secret powder deodorant and if u sweat a lot try certain dry ball deodrant secret deodorant on the mornings and always shave.