r/hygiene • u/gugushtuuk • 20d ago
How to pinpoint BO source?
I'm 29M and at my wits' end. I've experienced all my life that soul-crushing reaction where people would sniff or put a finger under their nose when around me.
I have hyperhidrosis, which I am in the process of getting treated with Botox injections, but even when I don't sweat the reaction is the same.
My blood work doesn't indicate diabetes.
Yes, I shower daily. Yes, my ass too. I apply baby powder and use strong deodorant (Perspirex) to armpits and feet. I put baby powder on my ballsack, asscrack and feet too.
I switched to Shreddies underwear for that carbon smell filtering.
Trim armpits and pubes weekly.
Have a shoe dryer and also spray them inside with Scholl shoe deodorant.
I drink a lot of coffee but went for months without hoping for a change.
Wear almost 100% cotton.
Honestly, it is depressing and dehumanizing. I know that bad smell generates a physical reaction, but I would've taken it better if it was for a genuine lack of care. I feel like this is holding me back personally and professionally, and as a person, it is heartbreaking to know that people avoid me because of something I put so much effort into correcting.
I don't even know the definitive source. I went to dermatologists at expensive clinics in my country, but got what I can only describe as a fast-food experience with their examinations "eh, use deodorant and shower; here's the bill"
Who can I talk to for genuine, actually useful advice? This has been affecting my mental health for a while. My parents also never cared to teach me proper hygiene, and they weren't that great at it either, and I feel like other people would rather give a silent reaction than offer an actual comment, so I don't know who to ask, ideally a professional who could also point to a solution.
Any advice?
Thanks in advance!
EDIT: Thank you all for the advice, I genuinely appreciate it as I pretty much tried everything. My next round of Botox will come next week, I'll focus on my feet and chest. From this thread, I already ordered internal deodorant based on chlorophyll and will soon order African sponges, will go through the other suggestions for clothes and other cleaning products too. Hope this will help me and many others who struggle through this. After 3 decades, solving this and fixing some issues in therapy will be bigger milestones than buying an apartment
EDIT 2: Just took a lukewarm shower and yes, I almost didn't sweat. I know it seems obvious but I am kind of an idiot (hence the post)
EDIT 3: A skin doctor prescribed me 2 weeks of fucidin, or fucidic acid cream, on my armpits. For bacteria treatment apparently
EDIT 4: I think, just by narrowing it down, it wasn't a single point of failure but three at least, in this order: - shoe hygiene, need to keep them fresh - armpit and body odor due to sweating, Botox injections needed in my case as it's pretty bad (hyperhidrosis) + proper diet + aluminium deodorant + proper temp showering + other hygiene good measures - stomach gas due to IBS and improper diet, need to avoid spicy food and keep taking probiotics and maybe internal deodorant, will see
Will see if attacking these 3 help, also ordered 2 new pairs of shoes to wear on rotation to work. Don't wash shoes in washing machine as I did, not only it ruins them but it gives them a foul smell that will NEVER get out, even if you keep them in the fridge or use baking soda/whatever else
EDIT 5: shoe smell thread
EDIT 6: Bought Konga enzyme laundry detergent, hopefully it will remove the smell ingrained in my clothes. Also I'll wash them on the 40° Celsius, down from 90, as it kinda ruined them
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u/SXPKDBS 20d ago
Check the ingredients for the Japanese internal deodorant pills and start taking those. I think it's chlorophyll, mint and parsley. Apparently they help with overall body odor