Betty`s got a problem:
Hello! I am so GLAD I found you! I have had this problem now for about 3 months. I wash and condition my hair on a daily basis and by the middle of the day my hair has a sweaty, muggy smell. I just can`t describe it, it just smells! Even worse when I`m running late in the morning and I am not able to wash my hair I could smell that sweaty, muggy smell throughout the day. I there anything I can do to stop this?
The Left Brain responds:
Betty, I had never heard of this problem before so I was surprised when I found out that you’re not the only one who suffers from hair malodor. A quick search turned up several discussion boards on smelly hair. There’s even a website that specializes in Smelly Hair.
What Causes Smelly Hair?
They claim the problem is a fungus that grows on oily scalps. That sounds plausible since the odor you describe as sweaty and muggy could be caused by microbial growth. I know that sometimes the towel I used to dry my hair develops a funky smell kind of like the one you describe. That happens when it doesn`t dry out completely, so I assume there`s some mildew or similar organism that responsible. If I don`t notice it right way, that mildew odor transfers from the towel to my hair. Could this be the cause of your problem too?
What can you do about it?
Smellyscalp.com says use an antimicrobial shampoo. That certainly could help. You can also try changing your towel and your pillow case. If that doesn’t work, you might try shaving your head, like Britney. (Just kidding!) You could also try using a product like the Stila hair refresher, but that will just cover up the odor. It won`t address the source of the problem.
I hope this helps, write back and let The Beauty Brains know what happens.
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I had smelly scalp for a year and a couple of months. i tried everything. I even paid a visit to the dermatologist and he didn’t even believe me. BUT!!!! I HAVE NO MORE SMELLY SCALP! WHAT’S THE SOLUTION?!?! DIAL ANTIBACTERIAL BODYWASH. seriously- it works. Wash your hair once a day for about a week and a half. This was my system
wash your hair in the shower three times, each time leaving it on for about 2 minutes. and then finish it off with Neutrogena T-gel extra strength anti-dandruff shampoo (the brown liquid).
Trust me. This works. I’ve had it for over a year and in just a week and a half, it’s totally gone. Hope this helps someone.
I posted some time ago and mentioned that I tried the Candidase made by Enzymedica but since then I had stopped taking the enzymes. My oily smelly scalp was back, so I’m not sure if Candidaise was helping and I stopped trying.
Well, last week my problem grew out of control and my scalp got so bad that I started developing bumps on my scalp and neck. It was itchy and kind of painful. This time not only was it stink and oily, but now it was itchy with bumps. I don’t have health insurance so I was going to give it one last shot on my own before giving into going to find a dermatolgist who could help me solve my embarassing problem.
This is what I tried again. I went straight for the Braggs Apple Cider vinegar and for 3 days in a row I used it as a shampoo. I thought it was working after the 1st day so I did 2 more consecutive days. 3 parts vinagar (about 1 cup) and 1 part water. I didn’t want to continue just to be safe since it is an acid. It did not work for me. By the 2nd application I reeked worse than ever (I didn’t shampoo after using the vinegar and I think that was the problem with the overbearing smell. It was stinky. My scalp bumps were inflamamed and very, very irritated. I tried one last time and that was it. The smell was too. (bacteria or yeast mixed with vinegar is not pleasant) I had to get the smell out, and I tried to shampoo it out of my hair but I could still smell it. The next thing I tried was lemon. (I’m on a budget) 3 parts lemon juice from 1 whole lemon (remove pulp-so it donesn’t get stuck in your hair) and 1 part water. This is an acid too so if you try it be careful it doesn’t go into your eyes or ears. I left it on for 15 -20 minutes and massaging my scalp with my finger tips to get in all over, while showering and let it do it’s thing. It kind of burned. I don’t know the details on if it is bad for the scalp or not but it worked. I did 2 applications, 1 each day and shampooed and conditioned afterwards with regular store shampoo. It’s been about 5 days now and the bumps are not itchy or painful. I think it’s healing and bumps are gone. My scalp feels normal, no build up. I don’t want to get too crazy excited like the last time so I am being cool about it to see if this lasts. I will do an application 2x a week or another week and see how it goes. I’ll do more weeks if necessary but I feel good about it this time. My scalp does not have that oil crud that it used to. Sometimes my scalp got really dry and I would scratch it and it felt like I could just keep dig my nails deeper and deepr into my scalp with no relief. That scared me alot because it was like I was digging a hole in my head and it was still itchy. This was 2 weeks ago so things have turned around dramatically. This lemon solution worked for me (This time. Last time I tried the lemon I did not leave it in very long). So simple! Caution: If you are allergic to citrus I would not recommend this. Please keep in mind that I was experimenting so I’m not sure of safety with lemon soaking into your scalp pores so consult a doctor before trying. Also, I don’t know if this strength will weaken the hair schaft and like anything else results are individual. If there is irritation, do not proceed. I am not a doctor, just trying to help. Let’s compare notes and I’ll update when more time passes…the ultimate test.
I’ve found the cure to this!!!!!!!!!!!
After months of searching for an expensive treatment for scalp odour i’ve finally found a solution to stinky scalp. My scalp would start to smell like @$$ only a few hours after a shower and i was getting really tired of coming up w/ excuses to justify my foul smelling hair.
I searched for days and found a very inexpensive solution to this very frustrating problem…. LISTERINE!!!
*I recommend doing this 2 hours before bed*
1) Start w/ a deep cleansing shampoo like Suave clarifying shampoo or Vichy Oily Hair Shampoo. Rub it in and let it sit on your head for 4-6 Mins. Rinse and if you like repeat.
2) Grab 2 Cap-fulls of Listerine, tilt your head forward and rub them in Aggressively but QUICKLY ( too much friction on your scalp will trigger you sebaceous glands to produce more sebum) Rinse under the shower without touching your hair and repeat with 2 more cap-fulls and rinsing with the same method.
3) Pat dry your hair GENTLY
***DO NOT*** Shampoo or condition your hair. The smell fades away when your hair completely dries.
Do this for 2 nights and VOILA! this may not work for everyone as all cases are diff. but it doesn’t hurt to try this once you’ve exhausted all of your resources.
Google ‘alternative uses for Listerine’ and you’ll understand why this works
Tea tree oil & mint/rosemary shampoos or conditioners help tremendously with scalp conditions. I’ve heard great things about Neem shampoos for fungal issues as well.
[As a side note, Hibicleanse (mentioned in another comment) will not only harm you but can cause blindness if it gets in your eyes. As such, I wouldn't necessarily recommend this particular cleanser for the hair or face except perhaps in the most extreme of cases with health care advice.]
Just try this 5 days a week , wont harm in any case. Mix 2 tb spoons of Apple Cider Vinegar n Lime juice (4ts)and apply it before having bath say like 1 hr . And After that shampoo ur hair with nizoral (any Ketoconazole).Scalp probs must be treated frm inside in that case eat some neem leaves early morning . It works fine for sometime , This oily hair has made me a scientist u can say trying all the stuff in the world.
I am so embarrassed. I hear you guys talking about smelly scalps but mine is worse than all of this. My hair is so smelly that sometimes, flies buzz around my head. I am a clean person who showers and washes my hair daily. It started off in hot weather, I would sweat but even in normal weather or in air-conditioned room, there will be a fly that is buzzing around my head. People notice. The only reason I could think of is that I have reallly thick hair that takes like 2 hours to blow-dry and I have to cut it down to one. Usually I let the rest air-dry. Maybe it gets ‘mildewy’? I wish my hair would stop smelling and the flies would go away. Does anyone know what to do?
I’ve been suffering from scalp odor for as long as I can remember – my mom used to point it out to me when she was brushing my hair, but she never helped me get help for the problem! I’m now in my mid thirties and can’t believe I still haven’t found a cure for this problem. Maybe there is no cure and we can only deal with this on a daily basis by shampooing often and using products that help control the smell. What does your odor smell like? Mine smells like an oily smell mixed with vomit! It is not pleasant at all. It does NOT smell like “wet dog” as others have pointed out…mine literally reeks of vomit.
Not sure if this post is still active (today is 9.11.09) but I just wanted to verify that the dial antibacterial bodywash treatment worked for me. I had tried all the drugstore options (Head & Shoulders, Tea tree oil shampoos, etc. etc.) and none of them worked. My scalp smelled horrible by the middle of the day (and not b/c I didn’t wash my hair often enough). I have used the Dial 2x and my hair does not smell anymore at all! I hope this treatment lasts! I have also noticed that I don’t seem to lose as much hair now that my scalp doesn’t smell anymore. Thank you to all who suggested this! I hope everyone else finds this treatment as useful as I did.
hi i want to share with everyone how i got rid of my smelly scalp. i tried it all the sulphur soap, head and shoulders, apple cider vinegar rinse, but the one thing that cure my smelly scalp was virgin coconut oil, i smeared it all over my scalp for 2 hours and after only one session no more smell, virgin coconut oil works so well cause it anti bacterial anti viral and anti fungal,
I am a 61 year old woman who ran across this website a few weeks ago and was immediately excited. I have suffered with smell hair proble….and the same odor on my uoper arms, neck and chest. I, too, am a very clean person but I can’t stand this any more. To date, I have tried every product listed on this website except fpr SAL-3. I am now on Candidase. Has anyone else noticed that their skin smells like their hair? I have been using all of the products on my hair and skin. I am begoinning to wonder if I have some sort of toxins built up and they are trying to get out. Help for AMC in Phoenix!
Thank you so much for the different remedies. I tried an anti-bacterial soap on my grand daughters hair and it worked.
hi,i am black and as u might know i dont have white hair that you can just wash and blow dry without even styling it. Since i cant wash my hair everyday, how do i treat this smelly scalp problem? It usually occurs when i have sweat and the sweat drys up on my scalp. Its embarrassing because i have to wait until people have left if i want to pass by so that they wont smell it. I thot about cutting my hair so that I can wash it everyday to solve this problem. What should i do?
To Haircase:
In your case you should look into buying “African Pride Hair deodorizer”. Its a spray specifically for people who cant wash their hair everyday. I’m not black, but I use it because I too suffer from scalp sweatiness.
They sell the spray at Texasbeautysupplies.com. Believe me it works and its only about $3 a bottle. I’m trying to help you because I feel your pain.
it was 12 midnight when i first found this website (and i was very sleepy). but i was so excited that i spent 1.5 hours to read all posts.
well, i started to have this problem when i came to ireland (to study), and its been 3 years. i’m from an Asia country. i had sweaty scalps back in my hometown because the hot climate, but my head didnt smell bad. but since i came to ireland, i found that my scalps started to be oily and it smells very bad. so i guess, the scalps produce some oil because the air here is drier. i have tried so many shampoos but none of them worked. i will try to do all your suggestions, one by one of course, and i will post the result. thanks very much for all your comments/advice.
Hello everyone. Like you, I have been suffering from smelly scalp for years. My scalp adopts a cheesy/muggy smell a few days after it is washed-in fact, while I am washing my hair while I am in the shower, I often rub my fingers across my scalp and can smell that it is not clean ( when my hair is wet, it smells like potatoes….?)
Anyway, a read Clean’s latest post about rinsing her hair with lemon. What I did was juice a whole lemon, and mixed it with about half a bottle of water. I rinsed my hair with water while I was in the shower, and then poured this mixture over my scalp. Then I vigorously rubbed my scalp so that it would really get to the skin. After that, I washed my hair with Dial antibacterial body wash (not the BAR kind) and did the same thing. After that I rinsed my hair and applied my normal conditioner and rinsed it once more. This was all done, for the first time, last night, November 6, 2009.
Now it’s a day later. I can honestly smell my hair a little bit, but I am not sure whether the lemon has made a difference yet. I will post in a few days (promise!!) and let you guys know how it works out. BUT, I must tell you: when I normally wash my hair with regular shampoo and condition my hair, with the same conditioner I used last night, my hair and scalp smell soooo strong that I can smell it a few days later-ewww!! And the smell is not a good frangrant smell either. It smells like perfume mixed with nasty muggy sweat. My scalp does not smell llike this yet but we’ll see.
*I just wanted to add that I’ve ALSO been drinking lemon water. I juice 1 lemon a day and add it to regualr bottled water. Good luck
O yea, and one more thing. I know that I have very smelly scalp because when I get my hair straightened, it smells strongly of the products my stylist puts in my hair (just like the conditioner I use) and she barely uses much. And while I am in the salon, some of the women cover their noses when it’s wet. However, I can’t seem to smell other people hair when it is straight. Worse part is, I have course hair so I have to use daily moisturizer, so their is always some type of odor emittiing from my scalp. Even when I apply nothing on my hair for days after I wash it, it gets this cheesy smelly, almost like yeast (?)
I am getting my hair straightened naxt saturday (nov 14), so i guess that will be the ultimate test. I will post on monday because I am going to do the lemon and dial soap routine again, except this time I will try the bar soap.
I have a question though; do any of you suffer from body odor as well? I do (bad breath, smelly skin) and I am sure whatever causes my bodily smells has cause my scalp odor, too.
Thanks
Hello,
Im obsessed with cleanliness and shower twice a day but nothing is working for my problem.
f/ 30’s /White. My background is half Middle Eastern and half South American. I sweat a lot, and use to exercise every day, stopped for other reasons. I have tried changing eating patterns ect. Nothing is working. Im stressed. I have some crazy and embarrassing stories.
I was a fun, always good time very social person. Not since I’ve had this odor have I returned to that! It’s horrible.
First of all, this is really astonishing to me. I thought I was alone in this suffering. For about 6yrs now my life has resulted to being on edge, and not wanting to be close to anyone. I hate it, and it’s tormenting me.
I can’t say exactly when this started, it’s very weird! Sometime 6 yrs ago I started to have to wash my hair everyday! But, my hair smells great; it’s my scalp that stinks.
I unfortunately don’t have insurance now but when this problem first began, I went to see a dermatologist. Which was of no help! I got prescriptions and so forth but nothing worked. I have tried all most all product out there. Dermatologist said that I had excessive fungal growth on my scalp. My symptoms are primarily extremely horrible scalp and scaly irregular shaped thick flakes……ewwwwwww!The smell is enterable. The flakes disappear when I use my medicated shampoo. But I’m more concerned with the SMELL.
What I think are possible causes! Since I was about 14 I washed my hair every day because the “style “that I wanted, I had to have my hair wet before product application. I would let my hair air dry and I did that for about five years. Then in high school, I also would let it air dry but tied back tightly and WET! It was easy and the fastest style. I think leaving my hair wet and pulling it back for all those years might be one possible reason. ANYONE ELSE!
The other is My chemical imbalance, combined with my stress. It seems that the flare up worsens when I’m stressed! Maybe that correlates to also my stomach. Alsures, chemical imbalances inside other medical reactions. Just hoping I can connect with someone else out there and find out correlations in life style, medical background ect.
If I think of anything else I will post. I need desperate help in a solution bec I cannot live life this. Other people don’t understand It’s something that is uncontrollable and makes life really difficult. I have beautiful thick hair but my self confidence is in the negative at this point, I pull it back everyday, people comment how come I always wear my hair tied back? But it doesn’t even make a difference. I went to work yesterday and couldn’t properly do my job bec. even though I just washed it, my scalp was terrible giving off the scent. Every time I passed someone or leaned over, walked in a direction…..ect
If there’s anyone out there that wants to compare notes and find out the cause, please!!!!!!write. In the mean-time I’m trying the Dial, virgin coconut oil, lemon, and candidase!
Good luck!
To the person who wrote, “What is this?”, what does your scalp smell like? Maybe people on this forum might be able to offer you some helpful advice if you described your scalp smell.
I am 72 years of age…pretty healthy,not old looking and my hair has what I call the “old persons odor” …I shower and shampoo my hair every day, but I still have the old persons smell! Can anyone help?
Hey guys. I jsut wanted to tell you that after I did the lemon juice wash the first time, it didn’t work. I know it didn’t because my hair had that same skunkish smell to it that it always gets when the sun hits it and I have my favorite moisturizer in my hair. I’m really at loss of what to do….
I was reading something on exercising and immunity to bacteria today. It said that noderate exercise (i think about 20-30) helps to move antibodies throughout the body and thus kill bacteria more efficiently. It also said that people who regularly exercise and athletes have about half as many colds as people who do not stay active. I am not saying exercise is our problem (for many people who are smell-free dont exercise at all) but maybe it would help. It is possible that our immunity to pathogens are low; usually scalp odor is from fungus or bacteria feeding on oil, not the oil itself (there are people out there who get tons of dandruff but still dont have our problem). Also, I notice when exericise on the eliptical macjine or treadmill and build up a sweat, my sweat smells like NOTHING, it is almost normal. However, on a hot day if I start to sweat i have a body odor similar to meat/hot dogs/hamburgers, and sometimes it is even sour. So im going to start exercising for thirty minutes everyday starting tomorrow, because at this point I am desperate to try anything. Just to give you all my history, I have tries sooo many things and literally spent up to a thousand dollars on products and doctors that could not help me: apple cider vinegar(orally AND topically), kefir, yogurt, different brands of probiotics, prebiotics, chlorophyll, mms, food grade hydrogen peroxide, betaine hcl hydrochloric acid tablets, goldenseal, digestive enzymes, accupuntures, just to name a few. I don’t knwo whether to laugh or cry sometimes, because while I’m spending my money on all this crap that doesn’t work, my friends are using thier money to go out and buy clothes. O yea, one more thing; when i was in highschool, I LITERALLY bought over 50 freaking deodorants to try and hide my body odor. Now i’m a sophmore in college, never had a boyfriend, never even kissed a guy, and its all because of this smelly demon that I have had to cope with since eigth grade. So when I’m writing all of this, I’m thinking about you guys because I have highly been affected and know what your going through first hand.
Anyway, like I said i’m going to exercise tomorrow and try and sweat out some of this funk. I’m also still drinking lemon water (one lemon juiced per bottle of water) I’m going to increase this to two bottles of lemon water and see if this makes a difference.
Thanks Guys, and Good Luck
Hi,
Bout a month ago, i suffered from the smelly scalp condition. I noticed it had appeared since starting going to the gym. I would wash my hair, and still be able to smell i horrible smell from my scalp. During the day it got worse and worse which lead me to take a trip to my GP. She prescribed me a shampoo called Selsun, you can buy this from pharmacys, and within an wash with it, the smell went! … Its great, I would recommend it to anyone with the condition.
Thanks x
Hi. I have been battling smelly scalp for a few years now. I’m female, in my 30’s with long thick hair and just minutes after washing I can feel my head start to tingle and itch and I know its starting. I have tried everything: dandruff shampoo’s, sulfur bar, J/A/S/O/N tea tree shampoo, Zinc Plex, Folli-Cleanse, Dial anti bacterial body wash. I even went to the dermatologist. Twice! He never heard of such a thing and seemed to not even believe me which mad me very angry! Like I would spend the $ to goto him if I didn’t have to! He suggested Nizoral…hasn’t helped. My GP had no idea either. She suggested the dermatologist. Why don’t these doctors have a clue?! It sounds to me like its a real problem for a lot of people yet doctors don’t know anything about it.
I guess in the mean time I’m going to try the coconut oil and the listerine. What do I have to lose?
If anyone has any luck or finds a doctor who actually knows something, please post it. Thank you!
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