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My armpits are a human hazard

(62 Posts)
granny4hugs Wed 10-Jul-19 16:28:15

I am way past periods and the menopause so this cannot be hormones (can it?) My underarms have become a ‘hazardous area’. I’ve never used chemicals if I can help it – deodorants, hairsprays - even make up is not something I’ve bothered with on a day to day basis and I do not want to give in to some toxic, noxious substance under my arms but tbh my underarms are occasionally toxic and noxious.
Careful but not obsessive about hygiene, I have to wash under my arms many times a day when the smell occurs and sometimes the stink is back within half an hour. It’s very strong and sometimes kind of ‘nutty’ (sorry if that’s too much information).
My partner says my ‘woman smell’ is sexy because he is an idiot. If I put on a bin bag and flip-flops and said that was my outfit for the day he’d say I ‘make it look good’. He IS NOT to be trusted where women’s presentation is concerned.
Yes, I’ve tried coconut oil and tea-tree and a wash with a bicarb solution. It gets rid of the odour but it comes right back when it’s happening. Other than staying away from human habitation for the four or five days it tends to last - any suggestions?

mrshat Thu 11-Jul-19 10:48:34

Another fan of 'Salt of the Earth' Classic, Effective, Unscented and natural deodorant. Have been using it for years very successfully - give it a try.

sazz1 Thu 11-Jul-19 10:49:02

A daily shower and sure antipersperant is what I've used every day for years. Never had a problem

jools1903 Thu 11-Jul-19 11:03:56

Try using Neal’s Yard Organic’s deodorant either a spray or roll on, no chemicals or nasties just essential oils which are natural.

Mollygo Thu 11-Jul-19 11:11:35

Daily shower (or 2x in hot weather) spray and daily clean clothes works for me. I like natural products, but I’d use something else rather than smell. Would my DH tell me the truth? Since he notices everything-bits of fluff, twisted bra strap etc, he probably would!grin

HannahLoisLuke Thu 11-Jul-19 11:31:07

I'm the same as Luckygirl.
No armpit hair and no perspiring either.
It's a godsend.

There are lots of natural deodorants granny4.
I'm sure I've seen one on FB recently, think it's made by the company called The Ordinary who make excellent skin creams at pocket money prices.
Good luck, it sounds miserable.

Jeanlizzie Thu 11-Jul-19 11:35:01

Natural deodorant crystals i love them

travelsafar Thu 11-Jul-19 11:35:08

Eww I would forget about chemicals etc and go for using a rollonantiperspirant for sensitive skin if you dont like the idea of sprays.I couldn't bear having this problem just for the sake of using an antiperspirant. We have a couple of men at the bowls club who would benefit from using them nothing worse that the smell of body odour.

grandtanteJE65 Thu 11-Jul-19 11:48:28

Stop wearing any synthetic clothing or mixtures of cotton and synthetic fibres and do go to the doctor.

Drink two or three large glasses of water every day that should make the smell less pungent.

Camelotclub Thu 11-Jul-19 11:57:48

You can have Botox injections into your armpits to 'freeze' the pores that produce the perspiration. Perhaps a last resort but it can be done, not sure if on NHS or not! I get a bit niffy too and no antiperspirant seems to work. Only ones that do are the super strong ones that you apply at night (e.g. Perspirex) and they make my armpits itch something awful as if I have an allergy.

Camelotclub Thu 11-Jul-19 11:59:16

Hyperhydrosis info:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/excessive-sweating-hyperhidrosis/

Purplepoppies Thu 11-Jul-19 12:07:29

I use dove stick deodorant. Its gentle and works well.
I find since my diabetes diagnosis my sweat smell has changed. I never used to smell at all. Could it be that?

Purplepoppies Thu 11-Jul-19 12:08:28

The dove stick is also great to prevent chafing of the thighs in warm weather ?

Glammy57 Thu 11-Jul-19 12:40:22

Gee whiz - and some people think g.ps are paid too much. Examining rancid armpits etc...
I would rather use chemicals than expose others to my body odour!

Newatthis Thu 11-Jul-19 12:45:05

I use the crystal block from health food shops - brilliant and chemical free.

stella1949 Thu 11-Jul-19 12:49:43

I've been using deodorant all my life with no ill effects. Why do you have a problem with them ? Hormones don't cause underarm smells - it's the bacteria which lives there. Shower every day and use deodorant - simple.

stella1949 Thu 11-Jul-19 12:53:06

You say you are "careful but not obsessive about hygiene" and you "don't use deodorant" . I think the answer lies somewhere in those two comments.

Greciangirl Thu 11-Jul-19 14:18:39

If you not using deodorant, then you will smell.

Maybe try the natural Rock mineral stuff from health food shop if you don’t like a nice perfumed deodorant.

JLauren Thu 11-Jul-19 14:31:02

If this is a new thing not triggered by a change in food or medication I would get it checked out by a doctor. It could be easily treated or a symptom of something else that is easily treated.

Claudiaclaws Thu 11-Jul-19 14:38:22

For Heavens sake, why not use a deodorant. Start now!

Joyfulnanna Thu 11-Jul-19 14:40:42

Is dermol the same as hibiscrub?

Grammaretto Thu 11-Jul-19 14:59:22

Is it a new thing I wonder?
My DH used to sweat copiously when he was young especially when nervous and seemed to think a nice hot soak in a bath was enough. It wasn't.
I had to force him to wash properly and deoderise if I went out with him. and put on a clean shirt
However, now he's in his 70s he doesn't smell bad at all and hardly sweats.
That's certainly not something I miss.

I use an unscented, aluminium free, deodorant and we do have the crystal sticks though I can't say how well they work. quickly sniffs oxters
Like your DH, mine wouldn't notice. Do men have a different sense of smell from women?

Caro57 Thu 11-Jul-19 16:34:36

Mineral stick

watermeadow Thu 11-Jul-19 18:03:21

You should use deodorant, like most others do, to avoid giving offence.
Yes, they contain chemicals, as do toothpaste, soap, washing powder and much of what we breathe, eat, touch every day.

Greciangirl Thu 11-Jul-19 18:15:21

Of course, it’s just common sense.

Use Deodorant.

annodomini Thu 11-Jul-19 19:14:15

The antiperspirants I buy from M&S are alcohol free and not tested on animals. I find them effective, though I barely need them nowadays.