Hygiene issues/problems

Hey.

I'm 16 and struggling with hygiene issues. I follow a standard routine, but there's still stuff going on:

- Constant underarm odor: Even right after stepping out of the shower, the smell is there. No matter how much cologne or whatever I use, it doesn't help.

- Bad breath: I brush daily, use Listerine, a Colgate mouth spray, and chew peppermint gum constantly. Still happens.

- Dirt under my nails: This is probably my biggest issue. Just a few hours after showering, I see dirt under my nails again. I wash my hands and scrub them with a brush, but within a couple of hours, they're dirty again.

I don't think it's just puberty since this has been happening for years. I thought if I stepped up my hygiene, it would stop... but maybe not.

Thanks.

Maybe go ask around and see how much you actually stink... honestly, you might just be dealing with some kind of health anxiety or something.

Underarm odor: first things first, swap out your shampoo—especially if you’re using one of those "all-in-one" men's products that claim to do everything from hair to feet but actually just leave you smelling like a chemical factory. Try washing with cooler water too; hot showers can sometimes trigger more sweat. If you're a heavy sweater, maybe trim the hair down a bit—I’m not saying go full wax, just a quick trim with some clippers should suffice. You might also want to look into a targeted antiperspirant, or, and I know this sounds a bit extreme, you could occasionally dab on some hand sanitizer gel to kill off the bacteria, though don't overdo it; once or twice a week at most. If none of that touches the problem, you really need to take a hard look at your diet, because what you're eating might be the literal source of the scent.

Teeth: get serious about flossing and using those little interdental brushes. If you don't see an improvement within two or three days, then you need to book an appointment with your dentist immediately, because you’re likely dealing with a cavity. Even if the flossing does help, don't assume you're in the clear—if it’s been a while since your last checkup, go anyway. Also, drink plenty of water. Dehydration doesn't just cause bad breath; it can actually make your sweat smell much more pungent than usual.

Nails: assuming you aren't working some manual labor job where your hands get filthy instantly, I suspect you might be scratching yourself quite a bit—you know, the head, the face, the back... that sort of thing. When you do that, you’re essentially scraping off dead skin cells which then get trapped under your fingernails, especially if you have oily skin or tend to sweat. Honestly, that buildup and the resulting odor can sometimes be a telltale sign of anxiety, as "stress sweat" tends to be significantly more foul-smelling than standard perspiration.

Raymond Ward6 said:- dirt under my nails: this is definitely my biggest issue, because just a few hours after showering I can already see buildup under my nails. I also frequently wash my hands and scrub my nails with a brush, but within a couple of hours, the dirt is visible again.

I don't think it's a puberty thing since this has been going on for years, though I assumed it would stop if I stepped up my hygiene routine...

Thanks

Man, that sounds concerning to me.
I've never heard of anyone dealing with that.
Sounds like it could be some kind of OCD.

Raymond Ward6 said:- constant pit smell: even right after I hop out of the shower, my armpits start smelling bad. No matter how much cologne or whatever I slap on, the stench sticks around.

you got a washcloth?
Personally, I don't sweat much—honestly, barely enough to need deodorant—but a coworker told me her son struggles with heavy sweating, and she actually helped him dial it back by having him scrub his pits with a washcloth in the shower. Apparently, it wipes away that "stink layer" once and for all..
Second off, maybe your deodorant is actually making you sweat more?
One time I tried some chamomile-based deodorant, and even though I don't usually sweat, I ended up smelling so foul I almost gagged..
Third, we’re living in an era surrounded by cheap synthetics, plastic, and all kinds of nasty dyes that wreck your body.. Don't just throw on anything. Seriously, grab five high-quality shirts made of decent fabric instead of fifteen cheap, sketchy synthetic ones from a bargain bin..

- bad breath: I brush daily, use Listerine mouthwash, some Crest spray, and I'm constantly chewing peppermint gum.

What's the deal with your mouth? Healthy teeth? Diet?
Forget the Listerine and sprays for a second.. If you want actual oral hygiene, here's what you really need:
A solid toothbrush, good paste, interdental brushes (people would be horrified at the amount of disgusting crap they pull out of their gums with those), and using a quality rinse like Curasept every three months..
Stop using alcohol-heavy Listerine; save your money for the good stuff and put real quality in your mouth!
Learn how to actually brush (most people have no clue how to do it right), hit the dentist regularly, and brush properly three times a day (for a full two minutes each time)..
Watch what you eat and stay hydrated..
And obviously, I don't even need to go there regarding booze and junk food..
If the breath won't go away, see a doctor. It could be your stomach, acid reflux, who knows.. it could be anything..

- dirt under fingernails: this is definitely my biggest issue. Just a few hours after showering, I can see grime under my nails again. I wash my hands constantly and scrub them with a brush, but within a couple of hours, the dirt is back.

Wash your hands enough, but don't go overboard.. just keep it chill 🙂