Severe Body Odor
people thing I'm stupid , because I smell like Shht. they comment all the time ever since I was a child. Yet I am not able to smell my self but am 100% sure I smell. child hood experience , a kid suggested to the class it smell bad, middle school.. High School year , people suggested , it smell like Shht .. I was fat as a kid , I did take showers. I ate alot of process food as a kid, in middle school I became aware of this stench but it was a real toll on my mental strength , grew up anti social because of this , miss most of my school activities , did not do things most kids /teens get to do in life .. had real true friends who stick to me even when people commented how it smell / how someone needs to take a shower / how it smells funky ect .. now I need some help . I want to eliminate this for good .. I want to get my life together but can't seem to ..
questions I need answers to ...
why does a hobo who doesn't shower not smell as bad as me . I pass through homeless people with no sign of a hard core stench that my body seems to emit . also I have realize that it reaches a very long distance like 30 - 40 ft . I have verified it as one time as I was crossing the stop lights. I took no more than two steps and the people in the opposite direction where already coughing ..
question two , I know what we can't smell our self , the same way we can't smell our bad breath . so why is it that I can't smell myself >? not even a little hint as to what people had to suffer through .
question three , I take showers, very long ones , scrubbing the rear end of my tush and my hole body . at the end of my shower I am able to smell the fragrance of the shampoo. I leave the shower smelling like head and shoulders to my nose but the moment I go outside to see if the smells is gone , but not ever one minute goes by that a person walking by goes with out coughing. ill go to stores having people cough , every where I go its all you'll see , people reacting to my body odor .
This has literally ruined all my chances in life , my desire to go to college which I am trying to be toughen up mentally , after high school took 2 years off to get myself mentally ready and hoped that it worred off as I thought it might be some sort of puberty body hormonal change . Yet nothing..
I have change my diet, stop any intake of process food for as much as I can remember , started implementing some good eating habbits, like now I am not as chubby as I was once before , I use to weight 180 now at 143lbs. my diet consist mostly of whole grain rice , beans , some vegetable here and there, 95% consume nothing but water. I have taken probiotic , as I thought it might have to do something with my body flora as I never did take care of myself as a child eating nothing but sugary sweet which lead to me being over weight.
I have taken: chloryphill tablets, charcoal tablets, garden of life probiotics, zinc
yet nothing.
I feel fine, have never gone to the doctor do to financial reasons and due to the fact I have no health care.
I have checked for many reason as to why this can help it , I did some of my homework ,
1st Theory (TmAu) : http://www.meboresearch.org/bodyodor.html
2nd theory (Leaky Gut) : http://www.ibsgroup.org/forums/topic/92645-fecal-body-odor-causes-and-possible-cure/
3rd Theory (Candida / Fungus):http://voices.yahoo.com/bacteria-inside-body-causes-body-odor-6392506.html?cat=70
Please, I have tried many things and I need some advice from the geniuses on these forums, I want to change my life, I don't know what being normal is. I have good friends who I owe my life to . never slightly once made a bad remark about my odor , and my family who beleives that I am clue less about it. I try no to worry them, I make it seem as if I don't know , I have mental scars that have help me handle some bad remarks from people so it doesn't hurt as much when I hear some harsh comments. I am very gratefull to have a job , but people are always people , and will always be curious as to why is there an odd person who don't say much , but always stinks up the place, now I will leave it in the hands of faith, and hopefully someone in these forums can help me understand why???? if not than ill do as I have always done and put on my mask, my fake smile and live my life as best as I can knowingly know I smell offensive yet to the eyes not give a single hint that I am aware as I don't react to the smell as others .. my the blessing of your god thank you .......
I JUST HOPE ONE DAY WILL COME WHEN I CAN FINALLY FEEL NORMAL..
(Tennessee, Usa)
03/08/2014
Dear xxxunknownxx,
You have certainly dealt with a lot with this issue, and I am sorry that people have been so unkind. You have done well in improving your diet, losing weight, and trying different things, enduring suffering and working. I am hopeful that your persevering spirit on healing will bring the desired results to you.
If you haven't already, do read the posts on Earth Clinic on this issue:
https://www.earthclinic.com/cures/body_odor.html
Then just try different things, as you have been. I will mention a few things that I will start with.
I would try Raw Apple Cider Vinegar added to the water you drink. 1-2 Tablespoons in a tall glass of water once or twice a day. It is fine to have a splash of vinegar in all your water if you acquire a taste for it. (I like my water with vinegar better than plain now.)
I would try different types of baths--Epsom Salt, Baking Soda, Bentonite Clay, etc. These are all detoxifying. Having a couple of these a week (or more often if you like.) 1-2 cups of the Espom Salt or Baking Soda. On the clay, you will need to research this. The clay bath is a little more trouble, but people find them helpful.
You mention the possible issues of leaky gut and candida. Do you have other health issues? Also, do you have trouble with constipation? If you are not eliminating toxins out of the bowel regularly (at least daily) this can cause odor. I would look into colon cleanses.
If you do not have trouble with constipation, you can take the Bentonite Clay internally. I had a son who had a body odor problem when he was about 8, long before puberty. Showering did not help at all. It seemed to just come out his pores! I gave him Bentonite Clay daily for a while and it did seem to resolve. You Can mix 1 teaspoon in 8 ounces of water and let that sit overnight. Then take 1 Tablespoon daily on an empty stomach with a glass of water.
Are you getting daily exercise? It is good for the body to sweat...it gets out toxins that way.
I would also look into the turpentine section on this website and also look into parasite cleanses.
Whatever you try, try it for several months or more. It is possibly going to take a while to completely heal a long standing issue.
Keep us posted on how you are doing! I will be praying you find a solution sooner than later.
~Mama to Many~
(Denver)
03/08/2014
(Sojouring America)
03/08/2014
★★★★★
Take baking soda right after you shower and and take it and put in in your arm pits and sprinkling it all over your body. Keep some with you at all times. It will work. Put in your shoes too.
(Sojouring America)
03/08/2014
Oh, I forgot the most important thing. Use baking soda on your wash rag and stop using any soap or any shampoo. Use baking soda only. The odor problem will stop and it may stop overnight. How? for thewashing with a wash cloth fill your sink with hot water and saturate your wash cloth with water. then take a spoon full of baking soda and rub it into the rag. Use that to scrub your body and face and every thing. NO more store bought soap. Your self confidence will sky rocket.
To wash your hair take a quart bottle and and put in 5 tablespoons of bakeing soda and shake it up every time and then pour some on your hair and work it with your hands gently. and then rinse out . No more shampoo from the store.
(Somewhere, Europe)
03/08/2014
(Ottawa, Ontario)
03/08/2014
Try to eat one clove of garlic a day -do it at dinner (it has to be fresh and you have to properly chew it -it goes well in a salad or you can smash it and mix it with a tsp of honey, avoid chinese garlic). Do not try to over do it -too much garlic can lower your BP and also increase blood coagulation time.
Drink Stinging Nettle tea each day -about 0.5l.
Drink a tea from the dandelion root each day-about 1 cup
Include dandelion leaves in salads.
Make an ointment from Extra Virgin Olive oil (100 ml), Extra Virgin Coconut oil (100 ml) and a smashed garlic clove -after mixing the components let the mix stay for a day and after that filter out the large pieces of garlic. The ointment has to be stored in a glass container (keep it in a dark place).
Use the ointment on all your skin after showering (spread small amounts of it before you dry out).
For the showers use warm water followed by cold water -repeat three times.
Stop using commercial soap and shampoo. Go for natural solutions (Allepo soap).
Use the info from the video (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IG4M71vMbTs) to get lacto bacillus culture. Mix some of it with water and apply it to all your skin each morning.
In the summer go to the seaside -expose full body to the sun and also wash in the sea multiple times a day -let the salt dry on your skin.
(Sth Aus, Australia)
03/10/2014
All of the above are great suggestions except the stinky garlic. Anyway, the simplest solution is stop eating sugar or at least reduce it to a minimum because even veggies have a sugar content. So does rice of any colour. Prefer a diet of veggies that can be eaten raw, fruits that are bitter, moderate meat, natural dairy, eggs and moderate natural fats and oils and you'll be normal in no time. Cheers.
(Illinois, US)
03/19/2015
Hey I know exactly where you are coming from. I too suffered from bad body odor. You mentioned that you take Garden Of Life probiotics. I seriously recommend that you stop. Those pills contain a lot of dairy. I used to take them too. They made me smell like a sewer! Also beans made me smell horrible. Maybe you should try eliminating both? Good luck!
Stainless Steel Bar
★★★★★
Stop Using Soap
★★★★★
(Greenwich, CT)
08/14/2008
★★★★★
To Joyce from Joelton, Tn -- thank you for this simple cure. It is the best!
I had been using the baking soda cure for body odor for a few weeks, but stopped because it was causing small cysts where I nicked myself shaving. I have now been "off" soap for 5 days (ha ha, that sounds funny) and after the second day, no armpit odor. I shampooed my hair yesterday and later in the day, smelled some b/o. I deduced that it must have started when I rinsed my hair, some of the shampoo residue got under my arms (duh, obviously)... So as long as nothing but water touches your underarms, no body odor. Our family started using the natural laundry detergent that doesn't contain phospates and fragrances, just essential oils, so that must be helping too.
(NY, NY)
08/16/2008
★☆☆☆☆
Hello Sharon A. from Greenwich, I recently posted about what I used regarding underarm odor. However, after reading Joyce's post regarding "Stop using soap" earlier this year I totally stopped. I take a longer shower and use baking soda as a body scrub (also saw this here on Earth clinic). I guess everyone is different because I found that even after eliminating soap (and with a diet of no processed food etc. etc.) after a few hours I needed help. I cannot run home to shower so I am using baking soda which is excellent and for me more long lasting than Thai crystals. When I shave I apply VCO which helps to expedite healing of any hidden cuts. After a day or so I return to baking soda because VCO is great but not as effective as baking soda.
I recently tried another natural remedy which I have not seen here on Earth Clinic - lemon juice. It sounds crazy but a friend announce that like Julia Roberts she has never used roll-ons - antiperspirant/deodorants. She does not know Julia and does not know what she uses but my friend uses a bit of lemon juice. I tried it it and was amazed that it was equally as good as baking soda. Has anyone else tried lemon juice? It is wonderful that nature has so many solutions for our needs.
To Samantha from NY: Sorry that no soap didn't pan out for you. May I suggest that if you try it again, unless you have 3 days to bathe without soap, before returning to work, start off the first day or two of bathing without soap but use a cup or two of ACV in your bath water to remove soap left over from your last bath. Because as someone else found out, any soap, shampoo, etc. will negate not using soap.
(NY, NY)
08/18/2008
(Mineral Bluff, Georgia)
05/08/2009
Hi Joyce from Joelton,
I did an experiment this week. I have been using a salt stone as deodorant for at least 5 years, and have been using borax as a shampoo, and body wash for at least a year. I thought since it's not exactly soap, maybe I can get by without using anything under my arms after my shower. Sure enough, I have no odor, and most of the temps in my area have been around the 80's this week, and I work a physical job. Thanks for the tip, who would have thunk that soap is what stunk (sorry bad rime). Peace, Rena.
Stop Using Soap
★★★★★
(Rocky Ridge, Ohio)
01/24/2009
Actually, soap has a higher alkalinity than our skin prefers. Our skin prefers a rather acid ph. This is why after a shower with soap we itch, it's because the ph of our skin has been altered and the natural oils neutralized/removed by the soap. A remedy for itchy skin is a moisturizer of lotion, cream or oil. Oil is actually an acid and that's why the itching stops, because the ph has been altered back to acidic with the application of the oil substance.
When the skin gets alkaline, it creates a breeding ground for the bacteria that causes odor. The bacteria feed off of the sweat in the alkaline environment.
I've been using the no soap and AC vinegar method. I put 50/50 ACV and water in a spray bottle and spritz it on before I shower. After scrubbing with a plain wet washcloth, I get out of the shower and spritz the ACV/Water mixture again instead of deodorant.
What stumps me is the baking soda working on body odor because it is an alkaline substance. The only thing I can think of that causes it to work is that it may become too alkaline for the bacteria to thrive and/or absorbing the sweat. But given all the redness, rashes, itching and reactions to the BS, I would say its probably too alkaline for the skin of most people and the reason for these reactions.
For those of you using regular baking soda from the stores, name brand or otherwise, they also contain aluminum. The only baking soda I know of that is aluminum free is a brand available at the health food stores that specifically states on the label, Aluminum Free. If memory serves me correctly, most of the baking soda found in stores is a by product of aluminum manufacturing. They just don't list it on the label. I buy the aluminum free BS to use internally to keep my body alkalized.
I'm also intrigued by Ted's explanation of magnesium and zinc deficiencies being a cause for an increase in body odor. Earlier today I actually started taking zinc and this evening I took some magnesium citrate because I've been getting the heart palpitations back again and the mag cured it before. hmmmm...I think he's on to something...
Blessings,
Robin
(Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)
02/21/2009
(Calgary, Canada)
02/22/2009
I have successfully been using zinc creme for body odor. the cheap store name brand from my local pharmacy. i use a very small amount on the tip of my finger and rub it in well. it's not greasy if you do this. i remain BO free all day long.
sara
(Rocky Ridge, Ohio)
10/06/2009
Kj, sorry it took so long for me to get back to this, I've not been on the site for awhile.
To answer your question, yes it worked right away. I'm still on the no soap and ACV/Water regime. I use it everywhere and because of the alpha hydroxy acids in the ACV, it is an exfolliant, removing the dead skin from your body. I pay special attention to elbows, knees, and feet to keep them soft and at times you can see the dead skin it's removing. (just be careful to shave after using it, not before) The 50/50 water/ACV may be too strong for some. it can be diluted down to 66/33 or 75/25 water to ACV and still work as well. I've been using a deodorant crystal as deodorant but have recently been researching the use of himilayan sea salt, the kind used for salt lamps as a deodorant instead. It's used the same as the crystal deodorant, rubbed on wet and comes in a bar form like soap. It's another alternative to traditional chemical based deodorants. It works because it doesn't allow bacteria to grow...think of foods preserved with salt...same concept. Blessings and good luck!
(New Orleans, La Usa)
05/04/2012
If you use all natural soap you will not have this problem(most people). Natural soap hasn't had the glycerin(acid) removed. Commercial soaps have the glycerin removed and this is why skin dries out. Bacteria actually flourish in an acidic environment, so it's possible that if your skin is too acidic, you will stink. If you find natural soap too expensive to buy, try making your own. It's actually really easy and there is plenty of information available on how to do it.
Tea Tree Oil
★★★★★
Undigested Proteins
Fast forward; 2 months ago (at the onset of some very minor yeast symptoms) I began getting some very, very bad body odor. Like many of you, I tried many de-odor treatments with little luck.
Fortunatly, yesterday I had an opportunity to watch my blood analysed under a "special" darkfield microscope projected on a large screen to count/chart the findings. My blood showed excess Yeast and Fungal Forms (advanced stage of yeast fermentation mutating into fungus growth/infection); and 4 related issues, all stressing out my liver (Spicules, Uric acid crystals, Rouleau, Aggregation of red blood cells). All were caused by "undigested proteins" in my blood (producing a by-product called monosodium urate).
The antidotes prescribed (by a Naturopath) were: Liver Care and Candida treatment (liver supplements, enzymes, alkalization, ACV/w Mother, lemon, garlic, coconut oil, probiotics, trace minerals, super greens and Vit C in high amounts).
The obvious and not-so obvious; a day or so before my horrible BO started, I had reintroduced wheat and other grains back into my diet (via an old friend visiting, and baking homemade bread every day for a week)! I knew the bread would probably caused a yeast flare, but I didn't realise how my poor digestion of it would inflitrate my blood, and stress out my liver too! So I'll take this bad news, as good news, and take my minor "wheat allergy" a lot more seriously now!
(Fl, US)
07/13/2014
Kay, I may have this same issue. Can I ask you where the odor is coming from? I have some chemical/food sensitivities that cause bad headaches. More recently, I eliminated wheat products (as much as possible) and love the results. Lost about 7 pounds, less hunger, less inflammation, no more skin rashes that bleed easily. But now, if I eat certain processed (wheat) foods, I get a bad odor from vaginal area. This happens within minutes of eating these "non-food" (or junk food) items. Maybe my issue is the same as yours....digesting protein. Thank you for posting this info. Please keep posting any more info or results that you get.
Vinegar
To solve under arm odor, at the end of my shower I use plain vinegar under my arms (not apple cider). I use a palm full under each arm (I keep it in my bathroom in a plastic bottle). It really works and lasts a day or two!!! I tried it in summer (August)!!
I did not try it to run a marathon or engage in a lot of exercise. You have to let it dry for the vinegar smell to go away, but IT REALLY WORKS!!!!!!
EC: Plain vinegar = distilled white vinegar
Vitamin C
★★★★★
I have tried several remedies listed on EC for body odour after I suddenly started perspiring profusely this summer and noticed a strong and unpleasant smell coming from one armpit. I stopped using soap, tried ACV, baking soda, coconut oil, witchazel, zinc ointment, green clay, all with varying degrees of success. However, they were no match for the hot and humid SA summer we are experiencing and had to be re-applied during the day.
Two weeks ago, I hit on a simple remedy which works spectacularly well - Vit C. I have been experimenting with remedies to replace soap and hit the jackpot when I mixed one crushed Vit C tablet with about two tablespoons of baking soda and discovered that the mixture prevents body odour. I also use the mix to brush my teeth. Later I discovered that Vit C works well on its own as a deodorant.
Here's what I do: I crush a Vit C tablet (ascorbic acid 500mg), lightly dip a damp finger in the powder and apply to damp skin once a day. One tablet is enough for many applications since you need a miniscule amount to be effective. I have also noticed that it not only prevents BO but also instantly removes any odour if, for some reason, you neglect to apply it in the morning.
(Palm Beach, Fl)
03/04/2009
Thanks for this remedy. I started it this morning by grinding up an orange flavored vit c in my mortar and pestle. I also might try applying colloidal zinc at some point to see if that won't work too. I bought it ages ago and haven't touched it more than once. Any kind of zinc brings on serious acid reflux. But under the arms might work!
(Gauteng, SA)
03/05/2009
@ Tess from Palm Beach: Is your orange flavoured Vit C the fizzy type? Might be a ticklish affair ;) However, I will be interested to hear if it works as well for you as it does for me.
I also meant to mention that Vit C is excellent as a topical application for cuts and grazes. Whenever I suffer an injury I increase my Vit C intake and dissolve a tablet in a bit of water and apply to the wound several times a day. It heals twice as fast. Regards.
(Palm Beach, FL)
03/05/2009
(New Hope, PA)
07/09/2009
★★★★★
I USED ONE YOUR CONTRIBUTOR'S ADVICE TO TAKE 1 TABLET(250MG)VITAMIN C, CRUSH IT AND TAKE SOME OF THE POWDER AND TOUCH IT WITH A BIT OF WATER TO MAKE A PASTE AND APPLY IT TO UNDER ARMS. THE ODOR WAS GONE FOR DAYS. THANK YOU. ALSO IT MAY BE A WAY OF GETTING MORE C INTO YOUR SYSTEM
Wheat Grass
★★★★★
I wasted alot of money buying things to treat a symptom. Eventhough I thought I was pretty healthy. I eat the right things, excercise, drink water, take whole food supplements, etc. But, this smell would not go away!! To combat this issue internally. I started out with a colon cleanser that didn't do the trick. The very first day that I consumed 7 wheat grass tablets. It did the trick (My body was toxic. ) Now all that I use for deodorant is Coconut Oil, and I got my normal fresh smell back. To God be the glory!!
White Vinegar
★★★★★
I did use a natural deoderant for awhile that I got from Whole Foods and smelled like a creamsicle-- I liked that a lot. It would fail probably after four hours and smell a little musty but it was good. But I think that eventually I left it in the car too often and the heat degraded the ingredients' ability to kill off the armpit bacteria.
Anyway, so last night, after I got out of the shower, I figured I'd come here and check out some options. Zinc didn't work for me. I thought I saw a difference supplementing with zinc, but over time, no dice. I also got some zinc baby bottom paste and that just made my armpits smell musty. I had tried vinegar once, just running out the door and it did kill the smell but I never tried it again, for whatever reason. So I looked at the different options for immediately killing BO for the night, and decided on white vinegar.
I had already showered so I didn't want to shower again, so even though I shaved my armpits and was wearing a halter top I braved the possibility of angry red bumps, and took a cupped handful of white distilled vinegar and applied it to my pits, slightly rubbing it in. I let it dry while doing other stuff.
I am pleased to report that over six hours, the vinegar did not fail me, despite sweating and air drying several times. I detected a slight vinegary smell, but it was nothing compared to the humid spicy food-type wall of body odor that was coming from me before, and easily covered with a couple of sprits of body spray. So yeah-- rock on white vinegar!
(Ontario, Usa)
07/02/2010
Witch Hazel
★★★★★
Xylitol
★★★★★
I hope others will test this and let me know if it's the same for them.
Zinc
★★★★★
Zinc
★★★★★
(Denver, Co)
09/14/2016
Zinc
★★★★★
(Newark , NJ)
04/30/2009
★☆☆☆☆
