Smell sensitivity

When dealing with the public, you never know what to expect, so it’s best to be prepared for anything.

When I did my barbering course I was told one of the best tools in your kit was a bottle of strong perfume so as you could smell something you do like, some of our clients really really stank.

Marcd94 said:

Do you have any tools or tips ?

For the issues of peoples smells there is nothing to do - even wearing a mask is ineffective as a good workout will cause it to get soaked with moisture from heavy breathing and loose its usefulness.

Avoidance is the only way around this that I can see. If it is in a less breathing intensive environment then I switch to breathe through my mouth is possible.

The nature of society now means that this hygiene could be a personal choice - maybe they are against using chemicals or believe they are somehow self cleaning after a while. These are valid choices for the individual but selfish in the impact that they have on others.

If find it easy to identify when someone has used the same clothes for more than a day just from the smell as the smell of the skin oils is pronounced after just one day, and after 2 days it becomes unpleasant enough that I tend to avoid them.

How people can go all week without a shower / bath I cannot understand - to me they are fetid by this time with all that build up of oils and sweat on the skin that isn't getting washed., plus the unwashed clothes which are permeated by this stench.

I agree about the smell of unwashed bodies, fresh sweat I can cope with, but old sweat no, its horrible and people who don't wipe thier bums properly or at all is even worse.

I guess if you like the smell then its mouth watering, if you don't then it gross and you have to avoid going out and have your windows shut.

Do you have any tools or tips ?

The smell of old sweat or unwashed clothes is something that I find hard to be around. I go to the gym a lot and there are a few people there who seem to not change their clothes after a workout and just reuse them the next session. 

That sour, cloying smell just makes me feel that they are rubbing their rotting, unwashed skin all over the machines so I have to give them an extra thorough clean before using, and if they are nearby then I have to walk away.

Then there are some that are clearly ineffective at wiping after going to the bathroom so the smell of poo around them is unbearable and I have to go to another area of the gym altogether.

I appreciate that some people may have medical issues that cause this but the impact on me is such that I have to remove myself from their vicinity.

As for the smell of chips, BBQ etc - I love it. Where I live there are often small stalls cooking skewers of meat in the evenings and they taste awesome and the vendors know that wafting the smell around drums up custom.

Yeah, I never use public transport. I couldn’t stomach that. 

Agreed, even the smell of chip shop wrapping paper mixed with vinegar and red sauce is hard to stomach

Thank you, I appreciate it

You have my sympathy, my friend, as you seem particularly sensitive to smells.

The worst is when someone starts eating takeaway on a bus or train. Ugh.

My mum used to use a lot of hairspray, and it had the same effect. 

Febreeze make my throat close up.

The smells and aroma's of food being cooked and served outside like chippy vans, BBQs etc makes me feel nauseous.  I'm not sure where it stems from, always thought it was dodgy food I got somewhere when I was young and this has ingrained into my memory.  Though I do have sound and light sensitivities but smells would be a big one.  Would avoid all social interactions involving outside catering if I could, just the thought turns me.  So glad to hear it isn't just me. 

Must give some of these tips a go 

Thanks

Tobacco smoke, vape clouds, any over-applied perfume and some specific perfumes are my main bugbears. I have lost count of the times I have got off a bus at a random stop, and waited for another, because the smell of someone's perfume was unendurable. 

Hello, I do and I would say it makes my life extremely difficult. Not only is my sense of smell extremely acute compared to other people, but also I dislike/fear many smells and experience extreme panic and distress or anger and upset, or physical responses when exposed to them. The worst things for me are smoke (bonfires, wood burners, coal fires, cigarette smoke etc), diesel fumes, petrol lawnmowers and strimmers, burnt/browned toast, cooking smells, and strong fragrances especially from some of the modern laundry detergents and fragrance boosters, this comes from passing by people who are wearing these heavily scented clothes, or people running tumbler driers which vent outside, and people hanging clothes outside. I am traumatised on a daily basis by smells that I have no control over and invest a great deal of time, energy and even money into trying to manage and protect myself from smells. It leaves me exhausted and very alone feeling.

Tips to help.

1)For the last several years I have worn a merino wool "buff"/"neck snood" around my neck at all times during the summer, doubled over, and I wear two in the winter (which makes four layers) so I can always pull it (or them) over my nose and mouth quickly when attacked by a sudden smell. This really helps a lot.

2)Another tip is to carry something, like a cotton hankerchief, which has a few drops of a pure essential oil (that smells in a way that you like) on it, which you can use to calm yourself with.

3) I have just bought an air purifier to use in the house, I am not sure how effective it is at removing smells, but it makes me feel like there is something proactive I can do when smoke from our neighbours is getting in our house.

I think it all depends. Sometimes my brother will cook one of those boxed meals that comes with oven-ready ingredients, often at a fairly late hour, and the smell drifts upstairs (since we have no kitchen door or extractor fan), it can really irritate me, especially when I’m ready for bed. Some dishes are worse than others, and over the years I’ve gotten used to most of them - except when it’s a very spicy smell or something unfamiliar. Other times, he’ll make something quick in the microwave, and because it’s what I consider “normal” food, it’s not too bad. What makes it worse is when I’m not expecting it; it’s easier to handle if I know it’s coming. Funnily enough, I’ve always loved that smell you get when walking past a gas station, as long as it’s not too overpowering. I’m afraid I can’t stand the body odour of some people, even though they may not be able to help it.

I do, but other than avoiding people I don't know what to do about it. My worst ones are perfumes and laundry products and foods, BBQ's, fish and chips and the smell of roast dinner form over the hedge, I can't get it out of my nose now.

I thought that getting older would make my sense of smell less acute, but it seems to be getting more sensitive