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.

[DEAT]

Yeah just another thing that stinks about PD lol