Can you smell but not be aware of it?

Sometimes the smell can be clothes that have been worn once too often. I would say, though, that because you are concerned about a possible problem you probably don’t have one. People that do tend to smell less fragrant than they should generally don’t realise. I think your son is simply airing your bedroom for you or, as others have mentioned, it could be a perfume or washing powder that he finds a bit strong.
Your question has given me a rueful smile as I have just arrived in the Far East and was very aware that after an extremely long haul flight I was in desperate need of a shower, hair wash and tooth brushing, which I have now had. I am feeling much better and am sure much nicer to know now.

This thread has made me paranoid! Surely if you bathe daily and look after your teeth/gums, use incontinence pads if needs be, you are not going to ‘smell’ even if you are old!

I have a friend a good few years older than me who did have an unpleasant whiff about her. I suspected it was on her clothes and when she moved house the smell disappeared. It was the damp wardrobe where she hung them.

I for one will not be buying into the Japanese soap nonsense.

LIVE yog not Lice!!😁😳

Only that I worked with a lady who had bad breath it was powerful but not her teeth im sure it came from lower down in gut Sorry to Ad to this!
Id be paranoid by now!! Lol. You could maybe bring it up somehow?

Id be welcoming them sucking a mint with clean hair and showered 😁.

Gut health important I suppose it's like acid if flora isn't good, important for health anyway
Good pre/probiotic , lice yoghurt etc
Let us know -
Hope you have good friend who can advise. X

I would highly recommend that everyone considers purchasing a water flosser. My teeth and gums have never been in such good condition. I'm horrified at the amount of debris that it will remove from your teeth. The cheapest one from Amazon will do the job just fine.

Tennisnan

Im so grateful for all the comments. Im going to order the soap today. I am very stressed when I babysit and was extremely stressed at the time of the breath holding hug so I believe this might well be the cause of any pong as I can rule out all other suggested causes. Thank you all again, Ive learned a lot.

Seems to me the breath holding hug would point to either a strong or unpleasant perfume ? What perfume we like is not always what others like , and , sometimes , putting too much on when going out can be overpowering .

I also notice that saliva can smell pretty bad the next morning if one tends to “ dribble “ on their pillow overnight . While on holiday with friends few years back , the husband became ill and had to stay in his cabin for few days while recovering . But , every time I walked into the room to see how he were , there were a very unpleasant & strong smell of saliva wafting about the room .

Interesting post many thanks for soap link mentioned.

Here is an old thread about it:

www.gransnet.com/forums/health/1285635-Old-People-s-Odour

I wouldn’t use the Japanese soap- massive amount of ingredients and states not to use if you have eczema or other skin conditions! Suggests it’s harsh?
If you think you have a problem with body odour surely washing/bathing/showering with ordinary soap, using deodorant/anti perspirant, wearing clean clothes, caring for your teeth and eating a healthy diet is enough? If not maybe Dr should be consulted!

VioletSky

Is it possible that you are putting on too much perfume?

My thoughts exactly. Also, the perfume that we might have used for many years could possibly not smell quite as pleasant now. I know this from experience; many years ago I liked a particular Chanel EDT but I cannot wear it now as it smells differently on my. Hope that makes sense GNetters.

www.amazon.co.uk/Japanese-Kakishibu-Antibacterial-Prevents-Perspiration/dp/B075NDLBYR?tag=gransnetforum-21

Interesting article Pearl30.

I have looked on Amazon and there are lots of Japanese soaps. Which is the one being talked about on here?

It could be bad breath and he doesn’t like to say

I dread smelling of wee - though I do everything possible to prevent it! I haven’t noticed anyone I know of around my age having a distinctive ‘old lady’ smell, and I have no idea what that would smell like, so maybe I’m already ‘nose blind’ to it.

If you wash, aren't incontinent and aren't TOO much of a mad cat-lady you probably don't smell too bad in yourself. Do you wear perfume? Lots of men find more than a touch of scent quite unpleasant.

When he was at uni my son used to hang his freshly washed clothes indoors on a clothes rack and leave them in a room for a few days. If he left them too long his clothes got very musty as the room didn’t have any ventilation. I had to tell him his clothes smelled horrible. He didn’t have a clue, he couldn’t smell it!

And I should add that I belong to a choir of (very) mature ladies. A new member joined recently and sits next to me in the altos. She has very bad breath! It's OK when singing, as her face/mouth is looking ahead, but a short sideways conversation with her is ghastly!

The answer is YES.
One member of a group of friends ,who have known each other since the 70s, started to exude BO some years ago now. I think we all must have noticed it - I certainly tried very hard not to sit near her when we met up - and it went on for a long time. It started after her husband died and I suspect that we all felt that we couldn't mention it to her, partly because of her grief, but also becasue she is quite a sensitive person who would easily take offence.
Fortunately for the last year or so it has stopped. I'm guessing that someone maybe said something or she overheard a comment.
So I assume she had no idea about the B.O for a very long time.

To smell one's own breath, cup hand firmly over nose and mouth then exhale strongly. Someone did suggest it might be difficult.

Idolovetobebesidetheseaside

I’m not taking any chances, i’ve ordered the soap

🤣🤣 I’d better order some before Amazon sell out!

I’m not taking any chances, i’ve ordered the soap

Grammaretto 'Old people's smell is a thing a mix of urine and stale clothes. Perhaps dirty furnishings as well. '

well, no, that is the whole point. It is something else altogether for many. Even when showered every day, clean clothes and good deodorant.

For some it is the above, but thisis probably NOT what we are talking about here.

I have a dear friend whose breath pongs. I was once going to mention it but decided not to because what can she do about it!
I like her a lot and it doesn't bother me.

I would sleep with the window open at DS house tennisnan

Old people's smell is a thing a mix of urine and stale clothes. Perhaps dirty furnishings as well.
I can remember being shown into my gt grandmother's bedroom when I was a little girl. She was a real Victorian. Her bed was high, her curtains were drawn . The room smelled foustie. She reached out her papery hand with its liver spots and held my hand in hers.
I couldn't wait to get out into the sunshine.
Oh dear, I am probably just like her now.

Don't get upset about it .
It's natural .
Your sons are really lucky that you can baby sit for them .
Some people have the unfortunate pong and some don't .

The Japanese have made special studies about it and produce great soaps , which you can buy on Amazon .

Drink lots of water
and green tea .
Don't rewear clothes .
And bath daily - not forgetting to wash your hair .
Sleep with the window open .