Nurse with Body Odor

rn4ever? · Dec 19, 2010

I am originally from Asia. One of the disgusting things I've seen being done by some folks in America is applying deodorant or perfume to their armpits when they notice that they are sweaty and stinky. Ugh! Please do yourself a favor.....take a shower, wash your armpit with an antibacterial soap thoroughly, and apply the deodorant generously after showering immediately. Believe me, the deodorant/perfume won't mask an already stinky armpit.....it actually gives you a stronger body odor!

Interesting question... from what I understand Americans have a "dairy" smell which some Asians find unpleasant.

CeilingCat, ASN, RN · Dec 19, 2010

Whatever you, tread lightly. Some people who choose to eat certain ethnic diets may have a different body odor than the usual American, and be perceived as "stinky" just because it's different. I have a good nose for body chemistry; I can even smell differences in my man's hormone levels. And I'll also say some people just have a distinctive smell - love it or hate it, it's theirs and it's normal. I find the strong deodorants some use "smelly" to the point where it causes me pain inside my nose, it burns so much, but that's someone else's choice to use or not.

To me, most offensive is body odor from people who eat alot of fast food. To my nose, it smells of rancid low-quality animal fat and dirty fryer oil. I guess it's true you are what you eat? LOL But I understand some people love to eat McDonald's or Chik-Fil-A, and they don't notice the smell anymore because it's normal for them. It's not my place to tell them what they should smell like.

How would you feel if I came up to you after your lunch break and said "hey you know, you kind of smell of baloney and mayo. I am doing you a favor by telling you to brush your teeth better." ? It's a really embarrassing thing to hear. And because of its subjective nature, it can end up feeling more like a personal attack than constructive information.

How about a compromise? If you can't drop the issue, why not approach it from a nice way instead of a hurtful way? Christmas is coming - give her a basket of good quality body soaps to enjoy. Some people love that Bath And Body Works stuff. Just pick the good quality stuff (as in nothing overly scented or fake smelling).

backatit2 · Dec 19, 2010

Whatever you, tread lightly. Some people who choose to eat certain ethnic diets may have a different body odor than the usual American, and be perceived as "stinky" just because it's different. I have a good nose for body chemistry; I can even smell differences in my man's hormone levels. And I'll also say some people just have a distinctive smell - love it or hate it, it's theirs and it's normal. I find the strong deodorants some use "smelly" to the point where it causes me pain inside my nose, it burns so much, but that's someone else's choice to use or not.
To me, most offensive is body odor from people who eat alot of fast food. To my nose, it smells of rancid low-quality animal fat and dirty fryer oil. I guess it's true you are what you eat? LOL But I understand some people love to eat McDonald's or Chik-Fil-A, and they don't notice the smell anymore because it's normal for them. It's not my place to tell them what they should smell like.
How would you feel if I came up to you after your lunch break and said "hey you know, you kind of smell of baloney and mayo. I am doing you a favor by telling you to brush your teeth better." ? It's a really embarrassing thing to hear. And because of its subjective nature, it can end up feeling more like a personal attack than constructive information.
How about a compromise? If you can't drop the issue, why not approach it from a nice way instead of a hurtful way? Christmas is coming - give her a basket of good quality body soaps to enjoy. Some people love that Bath And Body Works stuff. Just pick the good quality stuff (as in nothing overly scented or fake smelling).

people def. do have natural odors they can't control. i'm not bragging, but i had a co-worker ask me what kind of perfume i wore and i told her i didn't. she said, you smell good, you just have a "distinct smell." my husband and i still joke about it bc he asks sometimes what i'm wearing and i'm like, nothing - it's my distinct smell :)

i had a customer one time ask me at work (just so happens in front of the girl who said i have a distinct smell) what kind of perfume i had bc i smelled nice. i was like - i'm not wearing anything. that had to be embarrassing. of course in my situation my smell apparently isn't offensive so it's not embarrassing, but it just goes to show that people do have natural odors that they have no control over. however, i think if someone has a bad odor there is something that can be done about it if they are aware and take the steps necessary.

i really don't think giving a basket of lotion/scented things as a gift is really a good hint though. that is a rather common gift and i don't think many people would take it as a clue.

oklahomagal · Dec 31, 2010

I am originally from Asia. One of the disgusting things I've seen being done by some folks in America is applying deodorant or perfume to their armpits when they notice that they are sweaty and stinky. Ugh! Please do yourself a favor.....take a shower, wash your armpit with an antibacterial soap thoroughly, and apply the deodorant generously after showering immediately. Believe me, the deodorant/perfume won't mask an already stinky armpit.....it actually gives you a stronger body odor!

I find this quite irritating as well.....

DestinyCat · Jan 3, 2011

It could be trimethylaminuria (TMAU). Usually the person is very hygienic because they sense they have a problem but can't smell it themselves. It's a metabolic problem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy4f7rUicVA

MEBO TMAU