Hey, I still suffer from BO but maybe I can help your husband out a little. I think its great that you told him, I believe awareness is more important then trying to spare someones feelings. Does he still eat grains and sugar? I noticed that once I cut out carbs and sugar, my BO didn't go away but got slightly better. Does he exercise regularly? I've noticed the more active I am and the more I sweat out the toxins from the day, I have a better odor. Some things to try.. I wish I could help you out more but Im still dealing with my problems as well. But since he had cancer, I suggest seeing a doctor about it. Its better safe then sorry right? If the doctor cant find anything wrong, ask your husband if he ever feels bloated after eating Sugar and carbs? If so, It may be candida. I have BO still but my stomach issues went away once I started the candida diet. Something to look into maybe? There is another forum on this site just for that. Hope I helped if even a little. Good luck and send my wishes to your husband.

This is one of those posts where the answer is complex and can't be typed out in a few minutes.

He will have to normalize his digestion and detox the body. Which can also include toning up which ever organs are weak, but first a detox must be preformed while adjusting the diet to match his digestive powers.

And this of course involves a willingness to change.

It would take a few months to start to see progress but it can be done.

It is normal for your waste products to smell bad, but when its over powering, and exudes out of the skin and breath its a sign there is an overload of toxins.

There is a putrid flesh smell that some people emit when there is liver toxicity. Specifically the Ayurvedic type called "Pitta" or fire can exhibit a rotting flesh smell when they are toxic.

All of this of course can be improved with a few changes.

Remember that no one detox will work for everyone, an individualized approach is needed.

Sincerely,

Eric
the herbalist

for what it's worth...

I know somebody that has an issue with
tofu and soy

smells very bad the next day

comfirmed by some dietician

I found your questions about your concern about a stale putrid smell coming from your husband. I am experiencing this with my husband. I have told him that something smells odd in our bedroom but I haven't come right out and told him because he is so defensive and gets hurt so easily so I decided to ask his doctor about it when he ever goes again..insurance issues. I am a retired nurse so I know a bit about the human body. I know it isn't his breath or ketoacidosis. I know it isn't normal Body Odor . I know it isn't gas either. I found the answers below very helpful. I am just wondering if you found out anything affirmative since writing your question. I want to help him plus I can hardly bare this smell. Especially in our bedroom. I am constantly changing our bedding and opening windows. Hope this finds you well.

I was looking for an answer to why my bedroom smells musty in the morning, and I came across this question.

We tend to be immune to the majority of our own odor - the way we no longer smell our perfume after it's applied.

I think I have a suggestion as to what's going on with the hubby - but not necessarily an answer.

Illness and recovery does have a smell. Cancer particularly, but other illnesses as well. Why is this?

Our bodies are huge bacteria farms. We raise billions of beneficial bacteria that help us out through our whole lives. When our bodies are working properly, our bacteria are in balance. The beneficial ones feed off of us, food, and each other, but our immune system keeps them from overwhelming us.

When our immune system is compromised - through an illness, a disease, or an imbalance in organ function - the bacteria are no longer held in check. Some of them can start to get out of control, and wreak havoc on certain processes - and maybe that means our armpits smell stronger, or our digestion gets messed up, or we end up with bacterial infections.

Perhaps this is why cancer has a smell - if the immune system is busy fighting the cancer, then it can't fight the bacteria around it. We only have so many white blood cells. Then we smell the growth of bacteria the same way we would smell a pan full of tomato sauce left in the sink for a week. Or the way we smell decomposing meat.

But this goes beyond the illness itself. It also applies to recovery. What is one of the first medicines you take? An antibiotic. That's great, because it keeps the bad bacteria in check. You know what's not great? It can also kill off hosts of good bacteria. This means, after you take an antibiotic, your bacterial system is out of balance and needs to recover. And if one sector of bacteria is weak, then another set might overbloom - like crabgrass or dandelions invading a dry lawn. This may cause a change in smell and bodily function as well.

This is also why many people and pets develop digestive problems after they've taken Antibiotics . But it's not just digestive, so don't look for all of the answers in food. For instance, some people get a Fecal Transplant (ew.) from a healthy bowel to replace their gut flora, because most probiotics never actually reach the intestine - they're eaten by stomach acid. (My cat has digestive issues, so I did research.)

What you eat can also affect your smell. Both vegetarians and diabetics smell sweeter. Some people who have a fishy odor can't synthesize an enzyme from a certain type of protein particle (trimethylamine) - so it is exuded as a waste rather than used to help cells function. (I saw that on a TLC show about people with excessive Body Odor . You can also find it on wikipedia.)

For creatures with better senses of smell than us, like mosquitos and bedbugs - even blood type can affect how you smell. Mosquitos dislike Type A the most. Melanin production and breakdown has an odor, as do bodily secretions like oil and lactic acid on our skin.

In the case of your husband, or any recovering patient, I would see if there's a bacterial specialist, a pathologist, who might be able to shed some light on what imbalance is causing the odor, and what can be done to fix it. I'd also consult my physician about what certain types of smells can mean - after all, a putrid smell may be a secondary infection or health problem your hubby's compromised immune system can't handle.

As for me and my musty bedroom - I'm drawing a conclusion that our bodies produce waste all day, but at night, all of that waste (sweat, cells, exhalations, oils, bacterial processes) accumulates in a single enclosed area like a miasma, leading to the sleep odor. (It's also why bedbugs target beds and places like couches where you linger.) If your sleeping odor suddenly changes or is in excess - again, it may have something to do with rampaging bacteria...

Your description of the smell is same as for my husband. It follows him around also I can tell if he's come into room without seeing or hearing him.

He had had prostate cancer surgery 15 years ago and had radiation also which seemingly affected kidney. He has stage 4 kidney disease, and I am wondering if the this smell is being emitted because the kidneys do not function correctly. I read but have not tried that 2 drops of Peppermint oil on tongue would cover the smell.

Wow.... I just found your message dated from 2009!, my husband had Squamous Carcinoma almost 7 years ago. He has a rancid Body Odor that fills our home and cars. I'm at my wits end on how to remove the odors. I've tried everything. It is an odd odor and hard to describe. It almost smells like someone who has a bad case of Parkinson's. I know I sound odd.... but I have a very sensitive nose, and I work in home health care. I've even tried Chlorophyll Vitamins, charcoal filters, strong $$$ odor bags, and I've made up my own laundry soap (it works at the time of each wash cycle), but then fades off after he wears his clothing. I wash all his laundry separately and his clothing can actually leave a greasy residue on my items if there are not separated in the washing cycle. He also stains the backs of chairs, car headrests, arms of chairs, etc.... it leaves a dark stain on everything, and I think it is coming from his neck region. He had a radical neck dissection and radiation to his throat/neck area. I've never read where someone else is having the same issues as we are having. My husband gets upset and claims he cannot smell himself. However, it is super strong. My brand new car reeks as does the house. I'm totally at my wits end over this. Can anyone help??