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Info from Monell Chemical Senses Centre (Hair & Scalp Odor Problem)
Hey everyone,
Not long ago I wrote an email to the Monell Chemical Senses Centre that specializes in researching body odor, and was lucky enough to have a telephone conversation with one of the leading chemists there, Dr George Preti, who has been researching body odor for about 30 years.
Basically he said that he had seen more than 400 cases of people with body odor, but had never been able to verify a case of odor produced by the scalp. He was quite sceptical that a yeast infection could produce the odor, as the yeast that lives on the scalp, when grown in cultures, produces quite a fragrant smell, and so does not match our symptoms. He did however relate the odor to a condition called Trimethylaminuria (TMAU), which is a genetic disorder, which can produce a variety of smells among which are garbagy and rotting fish like smells. Basically the odor is created internally, and seeps its way out of the body through areas where there are lots of sebaceous glands, such as the scalp. He did mention that different people may smell differently because there are many factors involved in producing the smell, and that this is usually the most prevalant cause of undiagnosed body odor.
I think this relation to TMAU is quite interesting. It would explain the variety of smells we all experience. Apparantly there is a simple urine test for TMAU, and so that might be a good place to start.
I don't think we should rule out the possibility of yeast/bacteria infections, as the shampoos that we use do seem to work in that area. And also, yeast grown in a lab may not produce the same smells as yeast growing on the scalp.
Disclaimer: Although its obvious, I think I should put this in just in case 
. The information I've posted was derived from an informal discussion, and is just the opinion of one (educated) person, and shouldnt be treated as a diagnosis.
nax is located in [NA] and he is available to meet: NO
Complete thread:
- Info from Monell Chemical Senses Centre - nax, 29.03.2008, 16:22
- Info from Monell Chemical Senses Centre
- Betsy, 29.03.2008, 20:42
- Info from Monell Chemical Senses Centre - SBayGirl, 30.03.2008, 16:18
- Info from Monell Chemical Senses Centre
- Betsy, 29.03.2008, 20:42