why do old people smell like that (YouTube clip)

[LAJ12345]

Could explain pd smell

youtube.com/shorts/Y2flViW8...

[JayPwP]

Thanks

[PDFree]

A good idea and I have another. I remember being young and wondering why old people always had what I called "that old man smell"? I couldn't stand it, but I'm also very particular about smells. (Not picking on men, that's just what the young me called it.) I don't think everyone can detect that smell and the best way I could describe it is stale.

As I became a few decades older myself, although I still don't think of myself as "older" at 68, I think I figured it out. Many people as they age aren't near as active as they used to be, so they aren't really getting sweaty and dirty, and it's maybe more difficult to shower so they don't shower daily or wash their hair like they used to. Their clothes aren't really "dirty" either so they can be hung back up or folded and put away and worn again, maybe a couple more times before washing. And maybe not worn again for quite a while. And they'll layer on a sweater because they are always cold. It doesn't ever really get dirty and can be worn multiple times and then stored away until next season. It might also be difficult for them to do their laundry so they tolerate these clothing items that really aren't "dirty". So, even though these clothes aren't "dirty", they have been worn and have body oils, etc on them and when they get put away temporarily to be reworn or even seasonally to be reworn without washing them, I believe this is where the "old man smell" comes from! Ditto with using blankets, jackets, etc and storing away without washing. It's not that they are dirty, they are just stale and need a freshening up by washing them.

Personally, even as an older person, I will wear something more than once before washing if I haven't really "gotten dirty", something I never would have done as a younger person. But I would smell it first to decide if it was wearable. I don't put these "might be wearable once more" clothes back in with clean clothes, I separate them. And I never store blankets, sheets, etc for the season without first washing them. I also shower myself so I don't smell stale.

So that's my theory. But, I have an interesting thing to say about the PD smell and dogs. I have always loved dogs, still do, and dogs have always liked me. The "dogs are good judges of character" would ring true here also right? I live in a retirement community in a neighborhood and many residents have dogs that they walk regularly. I don't have a dog now but I take walks in the neighborhood. When our paths cross, since I like dogs I will want to be friendly and visit with them if they seem inclined to do so and interestingly there have been several times when the dog will sniff my non-threatening hand gesture as I allow them to meet me, they will bark and back off. I'm wondering if the dogs are picking up the PD smell that for example Dr Mischley's dogs are able to detect? I believe it to be a different smell from the "old man smell" but I don't smell anything on myself, that one might think is the PD smell. I haven't lost my sense of smell and taste either but it is diminished. Dogs have such an amazing sense of smell!

Curious any thoughts on this crazy theory I have?!

[LAJ12345 in reply to PDFree]

Yes, sounds plausible. But my husband when I met him at age 39 always had that smell and he was a gym bunny and would shower several times a day and wash clothes worn only once. I always thought he smelt different than other men. The same smell persists and permeates his drawers. I have sterilised drawers with bleach, washed and rewashed, soaked in nappysan, and dried in the sun all his clothes several times but the smell keeps coming back and it taints other washing done at the same time.

[Grammy80]

The PD smell? I'm newly diagnosed....you mean I'm going to smell too? YUK!!!💞

[LAJ12345 in reply to Grammy80]

I’m not sure if it affects everyone.

[Ghmac in reply to Grammy80]

I believe only a few people can really smell the PD smell.

[Grammy80 in reply to Ghmac]

Whew! that was close.💞

[DEAT]

Yeah just another thing that stinks about PD lol

[Allypally49]

Before my WWP was diagnosed, I found a couple of times going on a night out when it takes a while to get ready and beautify, that later on in the night, I could detect a smell from my wife, hopefully it was only I that detected it, my wife had to go to the toilets to refresh her underarms.

[kaypeeoh]

I was told by the doc that sebaceous adenomas are common to Parkinson's. Every year I see a derm who checks me for skin growths and freezes anything she deems is abnormal. A sebaceous adenoma is a growth that produces excess sebum; skin oil. Adenomas are common. I remember reading that older men commonly develop adenomas. As they grow they can block the urethra and make it more difficult to pee. Any tissue can produce adenomas. Adrenal gland tumors can cause Cushing's disease.

Years ago I was diagnosed with adenomas in my liver. Treatment was plugging the arteries that were feeding the tumors.

So if your skin is producing excess skin oils the oils degrade with time and cause a smell. I remember my father-in-law had a strong odor of ear wax. Ear was is concentrated skin oil.

Seborrhea is another word for excess skin oils. I use dandruff shampoo to flush skin oils. When I was a kid my dad told me in VietNam they did 'field baths'. You wash your head, armpits, groin and feet. I do that with dandruff shampoo. Now armpits, groin and feet are areas with high levels of skin oils. I don't know whether this helps but how do I ask people whether I have an odor? It just doesn't happen. When I was young I applied for a job in the merchant marine. There was a guy waiting who smelled atrocious. As if he hadn't showered or put on clean clothing in weeks. Everyone in the room could smell it. He said he had lots of training for the merchant marine but had trouble finding and keeping a job. Like I said....

[Ghmac in reply to kaypeeoh]

Is there a way to test for sebaceous adenoma? After having a hot tub for over 25 years, last year a new problem developed. A very tacky scum developed at the water line. We have always used natural chemicals because I am allergic to most hot tub chemicals. My husband with PD cleaned the tub several times, a pressure washer was the only thing that worked. He finally gave up and went back to the regular hot tub chemicals. I no longer can use the tub.

I spoke with our dermatologist and she mentioned sebum. I am pretty sure that is what was making the tacky substance along the water line. Dr. L. Mischely's dog Cocoa could smell his PD. I have a extremely good sense of smell, but don't smell an order on him or his clothes, or in his chest of drawers. But it might be wise to test for sebaceous adenoma if possible.

[Ghmac in reply to Ghmac]

I should probably add I had the dermatologist do a A-1 syn skin test and it came up abnormal.