Your Problems Solved | 19 March 2005

Dear Mary…

Q. May I humbly correct the advice you gave about the life-long friend who has developed an ‘unfortunate strain of body odour’? She is suffering from trimethylaminuria, a rare metabolic defect which causes a fish-like smell due to abnormal breakdown of choline. Simple blood and urine tests are available to confirm the diagnosis, often triggered by a fishy meal. Appropriate dietary modification can cure the problem.
M.A.M. (consultant nephrologist), London Wl

A. Despite the fact that my correspondent of 4 March gave no indication of the body odour in question being ‘fish-like’, readers will join me in being delighted by your learned advice. Knowledge that this condition exists provides an invaluable opening gambit for tackling the tricky topic when offensive smells are being given off, e.g. ‘Good Lord! There’s a faint smell of fish from you — no, no, no, it’s not offensive — it’s rather pleasant. But could it be that rare disease trimethylaminuria?! Perhaps you should have a blood test.’

Q. At a party I was giving my neighbour — a local lady professor of fine arts — observing that I needed to lose a few pounds, kindly gave me 12 sessions at the local hotel fitness centre (swimming pool, sauna, weights room etc). There is an open men’s changing room like an old-fashioned public school one, but with one cubicle. Could you possibly tell me what the etiquette is as regards changing for men? I have noticed that the older and flabbier the man, the less likely he is to use the cubicle, and the more likely he is to be quite happy about his nudity. There are lockers, but in a private club should one lock up one’s clothes or hang them on the open hooks?
H.A.,