Why does my grandma smell weird?

Author: Maybell Gleichner II  |  Last update: Sunday, August 17, 2025

Starting at about age 40, human bodies begin to subtly change the way that omega-7 unsaturated fatty acids on the skin are degraded. As these acids are exposed to oxygen in the air, the change creates a smell, called “nonenal” after the 2-nonenal molecule that is produced in the breakdown process.

What is the old grandma's smell?

Sometimes when visiting senior care facility or an older adult's home, you may notice a musty, grassy, or greasy odor. While some have inaccurately linked this scent with poor hygiene, scientists have another name for it: nonenal. It is a researched condition that could be connected to the aging process.

How to get rid of the old lady smell?

The best way to get rid of old age smell is pretty much the same way you get rid of young age smell.
  1. Bath regularly.
  2. Change underwear daily—at least.
  3. Use perfume, deodorants, and cologne having pleasant odors.

What does it mean when you keep smelling weird smells?

Phantosmia may be caused by a head injury or upper respiratory infection. It also can be caused by aging, trauma, temporal lobe seizures, inflamed sinuses, brain tumors, certain medicines and Parkinson's disease. Phantosmia also can result from a COVID-19 infection.

What illness can make you smell bad?

A person with kidney failure may have breath that smells like ammonia or urine. Serious liver disease can make breath smell musty or like garlic and rotten eggs. Compounds that are transported through the blood can also be released through your sweat glands. That can make your armpits and skin smell bad.

What Causes 'Old People Smell'?

Why does my groin smell like onions?

A strong onion-like odor may not always be a sign of an STI and could instead be caused by other factors like body odor, diet, or a forgotten tampon. Other causes of onion-like vaginal odor are: Poor hygiene: Excess discharge or improper cleaning after urination.

How do I get the grandma smell out of my house?

Placing bowls of vinegar, coffee grounds, or activated charcoal in different rooms can absorb odors. Baking soda sprinkled on carpets or upholstery can also help neutralize smells.

What is the best deodorant for elderly people?

Lume Whole Body Deodorant is a truly senior friendly deodorant because it is formulated to use anywhere, and pH optimized to control odor. It contains no baking soda, which can be rough on sensitive skin because it has such a high pH.

Why do I smell bad even with good hygiene?

Still, it's possible that things like diet, medical conditions or a bacterial buildup on the skin could be causing odor, Kopelman says. Hyperhidrosis, the medical term for excessive sweating, could also contribute, because bacteria thrives in moist environments.

Do elderly people need deodorant?

It's normal for people of all ages to smell differently. Anyone undergoing significant physiological changes like this will also need a deodorant that addresses the actual cause of odor.

What is that hippie smell?

Perhaps patchouli is best known for being a defining scent of the American counterculture movement in the 60's and 70's. It's calming, earthy aroma was tremendously popular among the free-spirited hippies. But don't be fooled into thinking that patchouli is just a “hippie” scent.

What did the 1800s smell like?

In those days, the air of American cities was thick with smells, including fumes from countless cooking fires, rendering plants, foundries, breweries, horse manure, and sewage. Body odor from the man next to you in a street car wouldn't have seemed noteworthy.

How do grandmas smell?

Nonenal, a chemical compound that people develop as they age, is the culprit behind the smell, which has been described by the National Institutes of Health as an “unpleasant greasy and grassy odor.” It is often hard to self-detect, but will linger on fabric such as shirt collars and pillow cases.

Is it normal for elderly to lose sense of smell?

Some loss of taste and smell is natural with aging, especially after age 60. But other factors can contribute to loss of taste and smell, including: Nasal and sinus problems, such as allergies, sinusitis or nasal polyps.

What soap gets rid of old person smell?

Deodorizing Citrus Plus Elder Shampoo and Body Wash by BoaVida with new leak-proof caps, Soap Made with Persimmon to Treat the Presence of Nonenal and Remove Old Person Smell, 8 oz.

What deodorant kills bacteria?

NIVEA Antibacterial Deodorant

NIVEA MEN Silver Protect Anti-Perspirant Roll-On fights and kills up to 99% of bacteria that cause body odour using innovative silver ions to help you feel fresh all day. This antibacterial deodorant also provides you with 48h anti-perspirant protection and even contains 0% ethyl alcohol.

How to remove body odor permanently naturally?

You asked, we answered: Can you cure body odor permanently?
  1. Showering daily.
  2. Reducing or removing spicy foods.
  3. Using antibacterial soap or surgical scrub in sweat-prone areas.
  4. Eliminating your use of stimulants, including caffeine.
  5. Reducing stress.

Why doesn't my deodorant last all day?

Factors like hormonal changes, diet, stress, and even your workout routine can alter your body's chemistry, making your once go-to deodorant less effective. So, what's the game plan when your deodorant is not working for you? Think of it as a chance to reassess and realign. Maybe it's time to switch up your products.

What is the hardest smell to get rid of?

Some of the hardest and worst smells to get rid of are pet odours, mold, and cigarette smells.

What is the old lady's smell called?

If you're living with your senior mom or dad, you must have had those instances when a distinct greasy, grassy, and musty scent wafted up into your nose as you moved closer to them. People often call this unpleasant odor an old lady smell, but healthcare professionals call this nonenal.

Does a musty smell mean mold?

A moldy or musty smell is frequently associated with the growth of mold or mildew. These smells are due to microbial volatile organic compounds (mVOCs) being released into the air. The mVOCs are produced by mold and as it grows, they can produce strong smells alerting you of mold or mildew growth.

Does shaving armpits reduce smell?

Practical recommendations regarding the most effective means of reducing axillary odor include shaving of underarm hair in men.

Why does my chin smell like cheese when I rub it?

A cyst typically has two features: the lining and the contents. The lining of an epidermoid cyst is made up of skin cells, which secrete keratin. Keratin is the material that makes up the hair and the outer layer of skin. The contents of an epidermoid cyst are soft and “cheese-like”, with an unpleasant smell.

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