Old People’s Odour

Er, Granless you didn't answer my query as to who said you have an old people smell - or did you self diagnose?

It's telling that EV, Teetime and I are all RNs and so get up real close to people! No one has suggested that you need a good wash, just that hygiene is usually the cause.

So, as you wash and launder normally, it can't be that you have an old person's smell.

If you get my drift - a kind drift.

Perhaps try an antibacterial soap?
Or, is it possible that you're being "too clean" and upsetting your body's natural balance?

I’m not on blood thinners ... in fact no medication at all. I shower or bath every day ... my clothes, bedding are laundered regularly ... so for those of you who think I need a good wash ... think again.
I became aware literally of an odour following me around ... sounds lovely doesn’t it. In fact I’m going to have a chat with my GP because it also could be some medical underlying cause.
To those of you who came up with sensible suggestions ... thank you.
And thank you Not Spaghetti for the link.

I wonder if it heralds the start of an illness?
Dogs can smell illnesses before anyone is aware of them. I'm not saying you have something wrong with you, Granless, you could be sickening for a cold or something but anyone with a very sensitive sense of smell could be aware of changes.

Ask the hygienist because she or he will be able to tell you if there is an oral hygiene problem, which could in fact come from the stomach; perhaps you could take some probiotics.

Thank you GrandmaMoira for the backup.

Thank you Teetime for your very blinkered opinion ... very helpful. I suggest you educate yourself by reading up about Nonenal

And no, Teetime and others. It wasn't a hygiene issue.... though I'm sure if you didn't wash it would get worse!

Here is a link to the super-long thread from before, Granless

www.gransnet.com/forums/ask_a_gran/1283227-Need-a-new-perfume-fast

I know there were research papers on this which I read through Google Scholar - I may have even posted links.
I'm sorry it's happened to you.

Good luck.

I agree if there is a smell its usually personal hygine, clothing and/or environment e.g. living with cigarette/cigar/pipe smoke. I have always found that unwashed hair has a pretty nasty smell.

Mum died at 101 she never smelt of anything but her soap, shampoo and perfume. I took and washed her clothes every day when she got too frail to manage.

I must ask my DD if I smell??? I can imagine her face.

GrandmaMoira

There is such a thing. It's a chemical called Nonenal which can start being produced from menopause onwards. As Misadventure said, apparently Persimmon helps eliminate it. Luckily most of us don't have it, or not enough to notice.

I think we all looked up Nonenal when the first thread on GN appeared, so I know that it exists.

But rather like adolescent teenagers suddenly start to need deodorants because of their hormones - they only smell if they don't wash and their bedrooms are stuffed with dirty clothes!

EllanVannin

No such thing.

Quite agree Ellen. There was a thread a few months ago about this - some report or other, or something in the tabloids.

I still do some private homecare nursing, often End-of-Life, and in all my days have never met a patient, one as old as 99, who had a smell that was caused by anything other than hygiene; very occasionally certain medications can make the breath smell.

It's either personal hygiene, clothes not washed or aired properly, stuffy rooms, old clothes in the wardrobes that have been there for decades, old carpets, etc. All these material things cause smells to linger and no doubt the person will take on some of the odour.

I bet the Queen and DoE don't smell of Old People!

OP who said you smell?

There is such a thing. It's a chemical called Nonenal which can start being produced from menopause onwards. As Misadventure said, apparently Persimmon helps eliminate it. Luckily most of us don't have it, or not enough to notice.

I'm on blood-thinners but don't smell musty or any other old smell. Clothes are washed regularly so if anything I smell of Surf and conditioner which usually overpowers any perfume.

Apologies, Granless I meant to reply to your OP, I'm sorry I don't have the answer.

There definitely is something like that, noticeable sometimes in charity shops!

Wear lots of perfume?

As a matter of fact my bloke has old man smell in spite of being a very “clean” person! I remember my dad was a bit the same

Blood thinners can make the odor more pronounced- And maybe if not exfoliating it can linger longer-

No such thing.

What on earth is "old people's odour" ? As Glorybee said how did you find out and how is it identified.

Granless , how did you find out?

I think there are products containing persimmon, which apparently helps (soap, maybe?)

You can buy soap that is supposed to eliminate this odour.

Do you take a blood thinner?