You Might Have B.O. and Not Even Know It (2024)

FAQs

How do you politely tell someone they smell of Bo? ›

Be honest and kind but also be direct, don't try and tackle the problem by means of well intended hints. Ask them what may be causing the odour and how you can help. Take notes—you may need them if you need to handle the situation formally.

Sweating and body odor are common when you exercise or you're too warm. They're also common when you're feeling nervous, anxious or stressed. Unusual changes in sweating — either too much (hyperhidrosis) or too little (anhidrosis) — can be cause for concern.

Even if you're using deodorant, you might still experience smelly armpits. This could be due to various factors such as diet, stress, hormonal changes, or even the type of bacteria present in your underarms.

Body odor is caused by a mix of bacteria and sweat on your skin. Your body odor can change due to hormones, the food you eat, infection, medications or underlying conditions like diabetes. Prescription-strength antiperspirants or medications may help.

It's best to tell her the truth, rather than gossip about her behind her back. Let her know very nicely that she has body odor, and that you're not trying to hurt her but that people are talking. Tell her you don't want to see her get hurt from people teasing her.

You could simply tell them that their breath is smelly, directly but politely. Bring up this sensitive topic with compassion and care, especially if it is someone close to you or you're worried about making them upset.

“If you start to notice a fishy, rotten, or spoiled smell coming from between your legs, you should get checked out by a doctor,” Deysach says. Those scents are a sign of infection.

But your apocrine glands, usually only found in your armpit area, are activated when you're under psychological stress, explains Preti. This sweat produces a strong, sometimes even sulfurous odor when you're anxious or scared.

Common Phantom Smells Anxiety Symptom Descriptions

This unusual smell is not related to anything you've eaten or been exposed to. Common descriptions of the smell include, “tinny,” “metallic,” “ammonia-like,” “blood-like,” “sour,” “bitter,” “acidy,” “vinegary,” “rotting-like,” and repugnant, to name a few.

Changes in body odor may be caused by puberty, too much sweat, or poor hygiene. Sudden changes may be triggered by the environment, your medications, or your food. It could also indicate a health problem.

What kills armpit bacteria? ›

Improper cleaning of your body — especially in the underarm area — when showering could lead to lingering bacteria, which leads to the smelly sweat even after you could've sworn you lathered up sufficiently.

Underarm odour can be an embarrassing problem, but there are natural remedies that can help to combat it. By keeping your underarms clean, using baking soda, apple cider vinegar, or lemon juice, wearing natural fibers, staying hydrated, and eating a healthy diet, you can get rid of underarm odour naturally.

Olfactory reference syndrome (ORS), also known as olfactory reference disorder, is an underrecognized and often severe condition that has similarities to obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). People with ORS think they smell bad, but in reality, they don't.

As women age and get closer to menopause, the hormonal changes that they experience can impact body odor. Increased sweat production, hot flashes, and night sweats all contribute to changes in body odor.

You should tell someone they smell if you genuinely believe it is in their best interest. In many professional and personal settings, smelling bad can negatively impact someone's opportunities for building relationships or networking.

First, tell the person privately. Second, tell them as though you assume they are using some, just not enough. "You might not have noticed, but with this hot weather, you need a stronger deodorant. I've switched mine."