Newsgroups: sci.med
Date: Fri,  6 Nov 1992 18:27:35 -0500 
From: Wendy Sherman <ws1d+@andrew.cmu.edu>
Subject: Re: Offensive BO

In article <QeyDBdK00iV080ZVhj@andrew.cmu.edu> ws1d+@andrew.cmu.edu (Wendy Sher
man) writes:

>If anyone out there can help me, please reply to this, as I feel I'm 
>slowly going mad. Were it not confirmed for me by more than 
>one person, I would not believe it myself. I have a horrible body
>stench (worse than any mild body odor) that I cannot get rid of.
>I've curtailed every activity that invites contact with people
>because of this, and feel my already miserable life is 
>getting worse. 
> 
>As implausable as this may sound, I think I "caught" this from
>my neighbors.

I want to thank all of you who replied to my post. Many of you gave me
concrete advice, others just a hug of encouragement and support through
e-mail. both have been appreciated.  I'm touched that a number of you
who replied. Anyhow, let me summarize the recommendations I've heard so
far. I heard from 2 MD's, one of whom suggested I see a dermotologist to
be treated for a skin bacterium, the other who posted her reply on the
b_board. But when it comes to a topic like this, I'll try anything and
everything. As some of you pointed out, MD's don't always have
solutions, and you need to be self-motivated and explore the problem
with the same strategy as you would solve any problem. Unfortunately,
I'm short on problem-solving skills and high on hysteria.  My apologies 
for sounding like a lunatic. Some people thought I was joking. So, on
the the facts, and none of the babble this time.

SUMMARY OF CAUSES AND TREATMENTS:

The consensus is that I should consult both a dermotologist and a gynecologist.
The most comprehensive article, a Kinsey Report column devoted to the
subject, was one given to me by a friend. The column written by Dr. June
Reinisch is paraphrased below:

Question:

"I have had a boy odor since was 15 years old....I have been checked and
rechecked....they tell me I smell bad...baths don't help...this has
limited social functions, affected my life...etc."

Dr. J. Reinisch's Reply:

Body odor is caused by bacterial that live on the skin surface. The
sweat from the armpits and genital area contains protiens and fat that
promote the growth of bacteria; hence, body odor in these regions is
more intense.  Using an anti-bacterial soap and warm water is a good way
to remove bacterial and sweat from your anogenital region throughout the
day....anti-perspirants for your underarms.....People with severe body
odor my have a genetic or metabolic disorder that is the underlying
cause of their odor prolem.  And in these cases, taking extra care with
hygene is not of much help.  Readers should contact a dermatolist for
evaluation.  Or, if ..no results Contact Dr. George Peti of the Monell
Chemical Senses Center, 3500 Market St., Philadelphia PA 19104, with a
description of symptoms. He's a researcher with interest in malodors.

Other suggestions:

 eepee@polaris.utu.fi posted this: 

>It could, and that's why you should go to a gynecologist as soon as possible
>and discuss the possibility of anaerobic infection. It's treatable, operative
>treatment may be needed, as well as sound antibiotic treatment, preferrably
>covering both aerobic and anaerobic bacteria, e.g. a combination of 
>metronadizole and an aminoglycocide. Once again, go to a doctor.

Thank-you for this! I'll print it and show it to my MD.

Other suggestions:

- Salt water and acid like vitamin c will kill bacteria.  Try boiling vinegar.

- Look into  an anti-fungal soap.

- Try betadine in your bath water.

- Try the terazone cream again
 (I am, I'll let you know if it worked, I tested positive for yeast again
despite that the nurse said I had no discharge whatever)

- get checked out for a possible staph infection.  
  okay, I'll do that.

- get exercise and modify your diet to cut down on stress.


Thank you all again!

-wendy



Newsgroups: sci.med