How do you tell a co-worker they have body odor?

Answer 1

There are a couple of ways to tell a coworker that they have body odor. You can tell them in private so others will not here you and so it will not embarrass the person. You can also do it without words, you can leave a basket of soaps and shampoo on their desk or send them to their house.

Answer 2

Body odor typically results from the action of normal bacteria on the skin as it interacts with sweat. However, not all odors result from a lack of hygiene.

Many medical conditions can cause sweating, or can cause offensive odors. The person may or may not be aware of the odors.

Some of these conditions include:

• hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating illness)
• Diabetes (both types)
• diseases involving hormones, such as an under-active Thyroid
• skin infections
• wound infections
• cancer
• diseases of the liver
• kidney disease
• adult bed-wetting due to Alcoholism, kidney or bladder conditions, etc.

Additionally, other factors can contribute to body odors:

• tight, non-cotton clothing
• damp or wet clothing
• alcohol or drug use
• poor attention to cleanliness and hygiene

It is best if you are at least friends with a person before trying to speak to them about body odors. You'll need to be as tactful and pleasant as possible. You can choose a direct way to start the discussion, but this would make most people uncomfortable. It's very embarrassing to hear from someone that your body smells.

An alternative would be to bring up a discussion about something you've read. Or, perhaps during science or chemistry class, you could raise the question of what chemical reactions are involved in the mixture of sweat with bacteria. Most people do not know about skin flora and that bacteria produce proteins that create odors. This subject might make a good class presentation about the causes of body odors.

If you aren't in school anymore, you could bring up the topic in other ways. For example, one of the easiest ways to discuss a problem is to say that you have the problem. "You know I have the worst problem with foot odor. It got so bad I was washing my feet every couple hours! Finally I went to my doctor and he said that many people have unwanted body odors. He said I could have some baseline tests to rule out certain medical problems, and that there are special deodorants now by prescription that really help." Hopefully, your friend might then confide in you about his or her issues with body odor. If not, you've given two important pieces of information (1) medical conditions can cause body odors and (2) there are ways to cure or control body odors.

You do not have to best friends with someone to tell them they smell. Many Supervisors or HR people must address this issue when there are complaints from co-workers.Make this a business-like , not personal ,matter. Ask the person if they are aware they have this problem. If so, ask the employee if THEY think this is a personal hygiene issue , or if it something they cannot control. Let them know how a variety of health issues can cause these problems, and ask them if they need help finding a doctor . Tell them you are available to discuss this or help them anyway you can, but something MUST be done.

Answer 3

Buy them a good smelling perfume or cologne, it will make them smell better and maybe give them a hint that they smell.

A popular scented deodorant could also serve the same purpose, a bit less subtly.

If this is a younger person you are in school with, tell a counselor. It's part of their job and they are trained how to approach the subject. The same applies to a co-worker. Mention it to the supervisor and they should handle it. If you are the only one to do it, be nice, ask them to check with a doctor, as some people REALLY DO have a genuine medical problem causing an odor. There are pills you can take to quell excessive body odor (B.O.) or bad breath.

Telling someone bluntly is never the courteous way.

Answer 4

If your boyfriend is super sensitive gently tell him that he smells,also ask your boyfriend if there is something wrong or if there is anything that you and he should talk about. If he is not so sensitive tell him straight out that he needs to shower. And if the straight forward tactic doesn't work,get creative you and he are intimate offer him a reward such as a kiss,hug and if you two are more frisky, offer him a chance to shower with you. hope this helps if not again get creative! tell him you love him and are looking out for him,worst comes to worst you may have to break up with him or wash him yourself who knows? good luck!

Answer 5

If you are a male then talk to a female coworker in confidence and tell her the problem. This information should come from a woman. If you are a woman then try to get her aside when no one is around and ask if she is having perspiration problems. This will give you a good head start without hurting her feelings or embarrassing her. Some women are not always hygienically unclean, but sometimes have problems with perspiration or possible vaginal odor. Be sure you do your homework so you can offer some advice should she let you know she has tried eveything for her problem and try to offer help.

Answer 6

• Choose a night when you sitting together with no one around and ask him if he has a problem with perspiration as many young men do. If he asks why then tell him that he has a strong body odor and as a friend you wanted to let him know and you would hope he would do the same for you. Be kind about it and offer tips. Perhaps suggest wearing cotton clothing (cotton breaths and synthetics don't) or showering every day. Make it sound like he has a chemical problem (possibly high acidity) and not so much a personal problem.