Cheddar Cheese Body Odour

[barry1010]

My aged relative smells very strongly of cheddar cheese within a few hours of his shower. It is not his breath and even his hair has this odour.
I've checked his scalp and looked in his mouth but everything looks as I would expect to it.
This has been going on for a week or so and it is a real puzzle.
I know some illnesses and diseases can cause unusual smells but I can find nothing online except for women's 'bits'. I know he is clean everywhere because I shower him and the smell is not coming from his genitals.

If I didn't know better I would suspect him of rubbing his head with a family size block of chedddar - I checked and know for certain he has not been at the cheese.

Anyone any experience of this? Any clues?

[Samuraisan]

Respect to you for looking after him. I just couldn't.

[emmie]

i wondered whether they have a yeast infection, as they can often smell cheesy, i myself get it under the breast bone and have cream to alleviate it. I would ask a doctor if by any chance they could take a look see. The cream isn't canestan its something else on prescription.

[barry1010]

Thanks for all the suggestions, folks - as always much appreciated. The feet - because he can't have baths to soak his feet, he soaks them in a bowl three times a week and we always use lotion because his skin is so thin and dry. Will start adding vinegar, see if that helps but his footwear doesn't smell abnormal.

Armpits - doused them in witch hazel this morning.

Hearing aids and ears - clean, no sign of anything to worry about.

Shampoo and shower gel - have ordered different brands for this week's delivery.

If it continues, will get the nurse to check him out. Luckily our practice is very good.

[Sqad]

Feedback much appreciated barry.

[AuntPG]

Barry can I suggest that when you wash your relative you use a mildly abrasive sponge or loofah? Showering alone may not remove dead skin cells, and if you are using a moisturising shower cream you are literally washing over the dead skin cells, which then have the potential to trap normal body sweat and create malodors.

https://www.boots.com/dove-body-wash-gentle-225ml-10266805?cm_mmc=bmm-buk-google-ppc-_-PLAs_HeroCompare-_-Dove-_-Boots+Shopping+-+Category+-+Toiletries+-+Desktop&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIy9vL1Lvs8gIVFuDtCh3PxgzIEAQYAiABEgJjfPD_BwE&;gclsrc=aw.ds

[barry1010]

AuntPG, I use those cheap and cheerful plastic scrub thingweees that can be thrown in the washing machine. He gets a good scrub down at least once a day but I will try a different shower gel. :)

[AuntPG]

He is very lucky to have you Barry its not a job everyone could or would want to do. I hope you get it resolved soon.

[barry1010]

Thanks, APG. Never thought I'd be showering with another man but there you go. He can be a lot of fun, too, so it's no real hardship.

[calmck]

Have you thought of a dettol based soap you can get them in hand wash dispensers in most supermarkets. We use it on the kids after days on the beach or in the fields. It's very mild and does not small bad

[anneasquith]

Barry, is your relative/friend aware of the odour ?

[barry1010]

He is, anne, he can smell it especially when he is in bed, probably from his head/hair. He is perplexed but not overly worried, thankfully. I have managed to stop him from overdoing the aftershave to mask the smell - that would just be worse.

[anneasquith]

Smelly urine? Is he dehydrated? I’m intrigued .

[anneasquith]

It’s not him. It’s his pillows ?

[barry1010]

cal, I have just ordered the Dettol soap from Amazon - I will cancel the Lynx Excite :D

[barry1010]

I will change his pillows tonight.

[anneasquith]

Any update Barry ?

[barry1010]

anne! You were absolutely right (fingers crossed anyway!). It IS his pillow.
After his morning shower, I pop him into bed whilst I finish my shower and get dressed. He often falls asleep and I leave him to nap. I noticed the horrible smell as soon as he got up today and thought to check his pillow. He had a clean pillowcase yesterday and the pillow protector looked clean - but the foam pillow is absolutely manky. I think (hope) it is his damp hair reacting with the pillow that causes the smell.
Pillow is in the bin. Time will tell. I don't know how his pillow got into that state, it isn't that old.

What a relief, thanks, anne :) Thanks to everyone else for their suggestions.

[anneasquith]

Thanks for the feedback Barry . I love a happy ending . Do keep up the good work . You are doing a great job :-)

[calmck]

Foam pillows are comfy but impossible to wash and dry and plastic covers make matters worse. Have you thought of a good anti allergy pillow or enquire at a medical supply house if he needs something special

[davebro]

I would never use foam pillows - feather or synthetic filling. And if you can't wash them replace them every 6 months.
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