I have a BO problem. Should I tell my manager before they have to tell me?
Two years ago, I started taking a treatment that more or less saved my life. I have to take this medication every day, and stopping it to start on another would take about a year as it can’t be stopped without titration.
One of the side effects of this drug is extreme sweating. Basically in some people, it stops your body from regulating its temperature properly.
So I sweat. A lot.
I have tried everything. Antiperspirants in sprays, roll on, cream. I shower daily and sometimes twice a day.
I have mostly gotten my body odour under control, but a persistent problem is my feet. I will wear different shoes every day and rotate them, I wear cotton socks, I wash my feet and course and dry them properly, and I don’t believe I have a fungal infection either, but somehow at the end of the day they end up reeking. To the point where it bothers ME, and I try to keep away from my coworkers but there is NO WAY that no one noticed.
I am mortified. Honestly.
I know that at some point someone will have to have ”the talk” with me. I’ve heard the stories about those BO talks from HR. We’re a small company so there is no HR, and I’m just wondering if I should come clean to my manager and avoid her having to start that awkward talk with me.
I have planned to talk to my doctor about this next.
All of this is just so embarrassing.
Any advice welcome.
Edit: thank you for all the suggestions and great advice!!
Next steps:
- doctor’s appointment
- new shopping spree
- proactively speaking to manager