eli5: Why do elderly people have a distinct odor?

r/

I’m not s

Comments

  1. Tismanics Avatar

    It’s very acute in older people who don’t hydrate properly or that drink alcohol regularly. Smoking makes it worse too. The awful part is that they don’t even notice the smell as it is literally coming off of them like BO. Getting elderly people to drink more fluids is hard as it requires them to pace themselves more over a longer period of time compared to more youthful people. HAIL HYDRATE!

    TLDR: Being old and unhealthy habits.

  2. Future_Usual_8698 Avatar

    A molecule called “2-nonenal”- only produced by some people over aged 40- can be removed with persimmon soap.

  3. hausitron Avatar

    “Old people smell” is due to the chemical compound called 2-nonenal. Usually, our skin produces omega-7 unsaturated fatty acids for general protection against the outside world. As we get older, like past age 40, our skin barrier gets worse (as in we produce less antioxidants on our skin), which lets these fatty acids be exposed to more air, which causes it to oxidize into 2-nonenal which smells bad.

  4. buboop61814 Avatar

    As people age they are quite literally breaking down at a quicker rate, including their skin. In the skin, due to this increased breakdown they develop a higher concentration of the products of this breakdown, one of which is 2-Nonenol, which is what is most likely responsible for the distinct smell.

  5. Silly-Resist8306 Avatar

    This old person uses after shave every day. Perhaps that’s what you are smelling.

  6. nn111304 Avatar

    That is fascinating I never knew. I also thing oral health is a factor too. Just a constant stink coming out of there

  7. Obieseven Avatar

    Our dog was coming back from the groomer with old people smell that would last a week so we started bringing our own shampoo. I guess their shampoo was washing away antioxidants on his coat/skin.

  8. chillmanstr8 Avatar

    ”Thats the formaldehyde. That’s why Granny is so well preserved.”

    -Robin Williams, Mrs. Doubtfire

  9. Prestigious-Copy-494 Avatar

    Not all do. My folks didn’t. They lived long lives. Were very good with their hygiene. I don’t have it either- asked a friend to give me a sniff. Wonder if there is more to genetics on that.

  10. mothermystery Avatar

    I wonder if this is one of those smells that not everyone can detect- like asparagus in pee. Cause I don’t think I’ve ever noticed it. What’s it smell like?

  11. christiancocaine Avatar

    I’ve never noticed this. The only “old people smell” I’ve ever noticed are the weird old lady perfumes, bengay cream, etc. I wonder if not everyone can smell it?

  12. st00pidbutt Avatar

    My friend in high school won a “new word” contest calling it “oldramonium”

  13. AffectionateTaro3209 Avatar

    Everyone’s pretty much said the main reason…I think another reason is bc old people tend to shower less, and that, combined with your skin not shedding well anymore, creates a very strong sebum smell. Ugh just thinking of it makes me sick to my stomach lol

  14. ThatCoupleYou Avatar

    I’m 55 the smell comes and goes on me. I think I “caught” whatever causes it, by wearing one of my coworkers old uniform shirts, while I was waiting to get mine.

    I definitely think its a bacteria. Because I finally got rid of the odor.

  15. calmdrive Avatar

    Using persimmon soap can counteract nonenol. And other body odors. Check it out!

  16. LaderJk Avatar

    I know exactly what he is talking about. I sprout mung beans on a damp paper towel in my desk drawer. Very nutritious, but they smell like death.

  17. hopelesscaribou Avatar

    nonenal

    can be counteracted with persimmon soap

  18. yeetpraylove_ Avatar

    They sprout mung beans in their desk at work. Very nutritious but the smell like death.

  19. zitpop Avatar

    Hah. I already knew about the odor, but Inthought this post said color, so I was confused when all the comments were about the smell. It’s too early for me.

  20. Enceladus89 Avatar

    Some elderly people have naphthalene smell on their clothing because they put mothballs in their wardrobes to deter silverfish and moths from eating their clothes. Younger generations are more likely to use different pest control methods (or wear synthetic clothing which is less susceptible to being eaten by pests) so the smell just happens to be associated with the elderly.

  21. fatismyfrenemy Avatar

    Persimmon soap takes away the old people smell.