Nothing greasy!
Poets would say that this is what despondency, melancholy and loneliness smell like. But scientists are more accustomed to relying not on sensations, but on scientific facts. And therefore they look for objective justification for each phenomenon. Including this one.
Thus, recently Japanese scientists discovered special chemicals - nonenals, which are produced in the human body as it ages. The older a person is, the more nonenals he has, which emit a characteristic odor that we associate with old age. Unfortunately, science is not yet able to influence the process of nonenal formation, so this discovery does not yet have practical significance. But the guess of American chemists and biologists from the University of Michigan can be used in real life. This study involved 340 men and women aged 45 to 70 years. Scientists took sweat samples from them and, after examining them, found that over the years, the human body produces increased amounts of glucose and lactic acid bacteria. Carbon dioxide (CO2) has a particularly strong aromatic effect.
The specific sweetish aroma is most clearly distinguished by older people who eat high-calorie fatty foods. A repulsive odor is also produced by frequent consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables. The fact is that the digestive tract of an elderly person no longer works as actively as in youth, so the rotting of nature’s gifts can begin in the stomach. Accordingly, low-calorie foods and thermally processed (boiled, stewed and baked, but not fried) fruits and vegetables will help older people smell more pleasant.
How to eliminate old age odor
Of course, the smell of old age is by no means a death sentence. It can be, if not completely neutralized, then, in any case, definitely reduced to a minimum. And this, first of all, can be helped by regular and careful adherence to the rules of personal hygiene, daily change of underwear, regular washing of clothes and the use of high-quality perfumes.
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But how to get rid of the characteristic smell that literally permeates the houses where older people live? Alas, this may only require such radical measures as general cleaning or even renovation of the entire room. But even this will probably not be enough. To completely get rid of the old smell, you will need to change the furniture and get rid of all the old things. In addition, it will be necessary to change the wallpaper and ventilate all the rooms until this sweet and sour unpleasant aroma leaves the room forever.
The scent of purity
While overseas scientists surprise us with their discoveries, domestic experts look at the problem more down to earth. Yuri Vladimirovich Konev, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor of the Department of Therapy, Geriatrics and Apitherapy at MGMSU FPDO, presented his view on this topic to us .
“I believe that the smell of old age comes not from some substance, but from an unwashed body.” Indeed, in the wards of long-term immobilized patients of any age, this characteristic, heavy spirit also appears. But in homes where proper care is provided for the elderly, it is not there. For example, in a boarding house in the South-West of Moscow, where labor veterans live, hygienic care for the elderly is very well organized. There is special equipment installed there for carrying out water procedures, because for older people there are special requirements for the organization of such premises.
Unfortunately, many old people do not really like to take a bath. And not just because of the fear of slipping. Over the years, the skin becomes thinner, and the secretion of fatty lubricant decreases. Because of this, the skin becomes dry and very sensitive, so washing often causes discomfort. In addition, water and soap wash away the protective lipid film from the skin, so after a bath it becomes tight and painful. Many older people (especially men) develop ichthyosis (increased flaking of the skin), as well as senile itching (often in the genital and anal areas). The discomfort usually worsens after taking a shower. But still, you should not forget about hygiene at any age. It’s just that water procedures need to be carried out differently than in youth:
1. It is better to give up the bath and replace it with a shower. It is enough to take a shower every other day, because over the years the sweat glands no longer work as actively. For washing, you should not use soap, but gel creams with neutral PH - they preserve the lipid layer. After the bath, be sure to apply a softening cream or body lotion to the skin (any cosmetics for dry, sensitive skin are suitable).
2. Bathtubs must be equipped with handrails and a rubber mat placed at the bottom to prevent slipping. If it is not possible to remodel the bathroom, relatives should regularly help carry out this procedure.
3. The water temperature should not be too hot, but not too cool, so as not to injure the skin of an elderly person.
4. If it is difficult to take a bath, you can wipe your body with sanitary napkins soaked in natural emollient and anti-inflammatory extracts (wipes for babies are suitable).
To cope with the problem of increased dry skin, it is important not only to care for it properly, but also to take B vitamins (found in meat, whole grain cereals) and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E. However, they must be taken in the dose recommended by the doctor, because that both a deficiency and an excess of these substances are dangerous for the body.
How to deal with this unpleasant odor in the house?
It is impossible to completely remove a specific smell, but if you follow simple recommendations, it will not cause discomfort.
Regular water treatments
Relatives and friends should support their elderly relative and, if possible, help equip the bathroom for convenience and safety. It is better to replace the bath with a shower (it is difficult for old people to step over the high side), or purchase special steps. Place an anti-slip mat on the bathtub floor and secure the shower holder at a convenient height.
Instead of a bath, it is advisable to take a shower; after water procedures, use creams and ointments that moisturize the skin. Soaps and gels wash away the lipid layer of the skin, so they should be avoided in the daily shower, using 1-2 times a week.
If it is not possible to take a shower, wiping with a damp towel or wet wipes is recommended.
Balanced diet
Following a simple diet will prevent the appearance of a putrid odor and help you feel better . There are many devices on the culinary market that make cooking easier and faster - steamers, multicookers, ovens. And a variety of healthy nutrition recipes will help you create an individual menu for older people.
Eliminating urinary problems
The problem of involuntary urination can be successfully treated surgically in most cases. In addition, there are special techniques and exercises that help tone the pelvic muscles. Special sanitary pads or diapers for adults can ensure proper hygiene and prevent the occurrence of unpleasant odors from clothes.
Healthy lifestyle
Unfortunately, it is almost impossible to cure chronic diseases, but you can help relieve symptoms and improve your overall health. Moderately active activity, regular walks in the fresh air, and frequent ventilation have a beneficial effect on the body, due to which the smell of old age is not so noticeable.
Perfume
Scientists have found that perfume with notes of citrus disguises a woman’s age and can make her look younger in the eyes of men by several years. Moderate use of perfume can brighten up the smell of age and improve your mood.
Delicate problems
But not only natural processes explain the appearance of an unpleasant odor in elderly people. Many diseases are also accompanied by a trail of not the most pleasant aromas. But this is how a person is designed: he hears the smell of other people and almost does not notice how he himself smells. In addition, the sense of smell decreases with age, so many old people do not even suspect that they have such a delicate problem. Alas, we often associate the “smell of old age” with the smells of natural human functions. Indeed, in old age, men and women sometimes encounter problems such as fecal and urinary incontinence. These are serious diseases, but even today they are quite amenable to correction.
For example, there are many ways to treat (from conservative to surgical) involuntary urinary leakage in women. Up to 40% of older women suffer from this problem (men are half as likely). There are special medications that help regulate this pathological process, there is gymnastics aimed at training the pelvic floor muscles, and finally, there is an operation using the so-called TVT tape, which effectively eliminates this disorder. In addition, today there are many hygiene products on sale: from adult diapers to absorbent and odor-eliminating pads.
Causes of a specific odor in the elderly
What we call “body odor” is actually the odor that the skin gives off. This is directly related to the chemical composition of the secretion of the sebaceous and sweat glands. It changes at different periods of life.
Although we are not aware of it, the chemical formula of body odor allows us to convey various biological and social information. So, signals are encrypted here that help to choose a partner, to show that a person is already ready for procreation or, conversely, this function is no longer available to him.
The human ability to distinguish age by smell may be an evolutionary skill. Scientists suggest that this is similar to the instinct of animals. After all, when they need to distinguish a young and strong partner from an old and sick individual, they rely specifically on their sense of smell.
Why did the young people in the experiment described above not regard kareishū as something unpleasant? The authors of the study think that age-related odors should not cause negativity. Their task is to help in choosing a more suitable partner. So, a girl can pay attention to an older man, since he can give her genes that will allow her children to live longer. The young man receives a signal to bypass the elderly woman - not because she is ugly, but because she will no longer be able to become a mother for his offspring.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology writes that old man odor may be the result of 2-nonenal molecules on the skin. This is an unsaturated aldehyde that provides the aroma of buckwheat porridge or aged beer.
Nonenal-2 in humans is formed during the metabolism of omega-7 unsaturated fatty acids in the secretion of the sebaceous glands. Young and middle-aged people have almost none: fatty acids are formed as a result of other reactions. But after age 40, the skin of both men and women begins to produce more of these molecules, and its natural antioxidant defenses gradually deteriorate.
Nonenal-2 is a fat-soluble substance, so it remains on the skin even after washing it with water. In addition, it quickly ends up on clothes from the body, and it is also difficult to wash it off from there.
Grandma smells like pies!
But not only the body can smell unpleasant, but also everything that surrounds an elderly person: old trash, things that have not been ventilated for a long time, house dust, which, by the way, is largely formed from dead particles of the epidermis. In older people, keratinized skin flakes are torn off and get stuck in the folds of clothing, settle on bedspreads and upholstered furniture, and get stuck in the pile of carpets. Since it is difficult for old people to clean themselves (especially to carry out wet cleaning), as well as to often change, wash and iron their clothes and bed linen, a stagnant smell appears in the house. Younger relatives should take on the responsibility for cleaning and care.
It is better not to use air fresheners to scent a room - they often cause allergies. It is better to prefer natural smells to artificial ones: the smell of flowers, oriental incense. In the cabinets you can place sachets with herbs, pieces of aromatic soap, and cut citrus peels.
Smell of an old man
Such a diagnosis actually exists. The Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia has confirmed that older people do indeed have a distinct odor. It is so recognizable that people can identify them only by body odor.
How did you find out? We selected people of three age groups:
- 20-30 year olds;
- 45-55 year olds;
- 75-95 year olds.
The researchers gave all these people special lightweight T-shirts with pads in their armpits, like those for nursing mothers. Each subject had to sleep in this T-shirt for five nights in a row.
For the purity of the experiment, before going to bed, the subjects had to bathe without soap and shampoo. They were also asked to refrain from drinking alcohol, smoking, and eating spicy foods, garlic, onions, or any other type of food that could affect body odor.
After five days, the pads were removed, cut into quadrants and placed in individual glass jars. Then, 41 young (20 to 30 years old) participants were given two glass jars in nine combinations to rate the flavors. Participants were asked to rate the intensity and pleasantness of each odor. They also needed to either determine which sample came from an older person or estimate the age group each sample belonged to.
Participants were able to identify the odor of older people better than younger subjects. When people tried to classify odor patterns by age, they had a hard time distinguishing between young and middle-aged people, but they almost always instantly identified the smells of old people.
Experience Johan Lundström
Interestingly, despite its uniqueness - and contrary to the stereotype - the smell of an old person is not offensive. Participants rated it as less intense and less unpleasant than body odor in younger donors. Depending on gender, participants rated the smell of middle-aged men as the most intense, and the smell of older men as the most pleasant and least intense. In contrast, the smells of middle-aged women were rated as more pleasant than those of older ladies.
“Older people have a noticeable armpit odor, which younger people rated as fairly neutral and not very unpleasant,” said Johan Lundström, a sensorineurobiologist, commenting on the study.
In Japan, the smell unique to older people is called “kareishū”
Preparing to remove odor from a room
Before you begin removing mustiness, you must first do a thorough cleaning of the apartment.
It’s better to start with things - in a cluttered apartment, air circulation is difficult, and the musty smell in such a room will reappear even after cleaning.
All unnecessary items that have not been used for a long time are thrown away. Clothes are taken out of the closet, curtains are removed, everything is sent to the wash. After washing to dry, hang them outdoors or on the balcony.
It is worth getting rid of carpets on the floor, but if for some reason this is not possible, then they must be cleaned with special means and ventilated or sent to dry cleaning.
After this, wash the windows and carefully wipe the wallpaper with a well-wrung out damp cloth. This needs to be done even if the wallpaper is not washable, since the smell has probably been absorbed into it, and dust has settled on the surface.
When all this is done, start cleaning the floors. Special disinfectants are added to the water. It is advisable to use liquids with the aroma of lemon, pine or others. The floors in all rooms of the apartment are washed thoroughly, this is done several times.
