# Co-worker using some cream with horrible detergent like smell: What is it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 29, 2011, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211 "2011-04-29T20:43:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@No\_Wikipedia\_Cites](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/No_Wikipedia_Cites)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/1 "2011-04-29T20:43:12Z")
Coworker in a cube two cubes down uses some kind of cream or substance; about three times and hour, and it smells something horrible, like extremely strong detergenty-like smell, so strong that it sticks in the air for awhile and burns my eyes and makes another coworker’s throat hurt. Alas, the Sass is low on the totem pole and can do little to stop it. I thought this was some kind of dollar-store disaster hand cream, but maybe this is this some kind of medical ointment? Can anyone recognize what I’m referring to? ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/2 "2011-04-29T20:48:07Z")
Rub some of it on your next post, and we’ll try and identify it. ---
**Author:** ![Omar\_Little](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omar_little/32/269_2.png) [@Omar\_Little](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omar_Little)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/3 "2011-04-29T20:52:17Z")
I realized that my first response was a bit snarky, so here [let me google that for you](http://lmgtfy.com/?q=cream+substance+smells+something+horrible+strong+detergenty-like+sticks+in+the+air+burns+eyes+throat+hurt). It’s apparently either skunk scent or a vaginal steroid cream. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/4 "2011-04-29T20:58:48Z")
If it’s stinging your eyes, it sounds like a muscle ointment, possibly Tiger Balm or or Icy Hot, though that’s really not the sort of thing most people would apply at work. ---
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/5 "2011-04-29T21:03:42Z")
Both of those have a pretty noticeable menthol smell though. It could be any number of prescription medications, but there’s really no way to know specifically what it is. ---
**Author:** ![kambuckta](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/53a042/32.png) [@kambuckta](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kambuckta)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2011, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/6 "2011-04-29T22:35:57Z")
Could it be a medicinal ointment that contains stuff like carbolic? There’s one **The Bloke** swears by made by a company called Rawleighs, and it stinks to high-heavens. Apparently it used to go by the more common name of **Man and Beast** : let’s just say that after he applies it to whatever little wound he’s suffered, I’d rather sleep with the dog that night. 😃 Here 'tis: [Rawleigh’s Salve](http://au.rawleighs.info/product/antiseptic-salve-140g) ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/7 "2011-04-30T00:31:08Z")
Another possibility: Tea tree oil. Straight tea tree oil smells like a horrible chemical (a broken bottle can cause unaware folks to call 911 to report a chemical spill, I found out once) and is used by people as an antiseptic, anti-fungal, anti-psoriasis, anti-\ treatment, and it’s a popular, noxiously smelly ingredient in a variety of skin care products. ---
**Author:** ![6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/e19adc/32.png) [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/8 "2011-04-30T02:09:04Z")
It’s hemorrhoid cream applied with a hanging car deodoriser. I’m not sure what you can do about it. Maybe suggest she change the applicator to ‘green apple’. ---
**Author:** ![Dano83860](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a4c791/32.png) [@Dano83860](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dano83860)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/9 "2011-04-30T02:23:13Z")
> [@Student\_Driver](#): > > Another possibility: > > Tea tree oil. Straight tea tree oil smells like a horrible chemical (a broken bottle can cause unaware folks to call 911 to report a chemical spill, I found out once) and is used by people as an antiseptic, anti-fungal, anti-psoriasis, anti-\ treatment, and it’s a popular, noxiously smelly ingredient in a variety of skin care products. It’s also used by a lot of pot smokers.😉 ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/10 "2011-04-30T02:29:49Z")
> [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](#): > > It’s hemorrhoid cream applied with a hanging car deodoriser. > > I’m not sure what you can do about it. Maybe suggest she change the applicator to ‘green apple’. Well, that or ask her to keep the windows rolled down next time she’s at the car wash. I’m not sure how many times through will do the trick, but when the towel-dry guys stop wretching, its usually a pretty good sign. (…And toss her $2 extra for the “hot-wax” will ya? She’s there anyway.) ---
**Author:** ![newcomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/11 "2011-04-30T02:48:07Z")
I sometimes use ProActive mask cream. It smells exactly as described… ---
**Author:** ![6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/e19adc/32.png) [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/12 "2011-04-30T02:54:23Z")
> [@newcomer](#): > > I sometimes use ProActive mask cream. It smells exactly as described… …is that something that superheroes use..? ---
**Author:** ![newcomer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/e5b9ba/32.png) [@newcomer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/newcomer)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 3:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/13 "2011-04-30T03:01:11Z")
> [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](#): > > …is that something that superheroes use..? 😕 I was being serious…Google it… ---
**Author:** ![6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/6/e19adc/32.png) [@6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/6ImpossibleThingsB4Breakfast)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 3:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/14 "2011-04-30T03:05:36Z")
> [@newcomer](#): > > 😕 > > I was being serious…Google it… “Creams that superheroes use” revealed nothing. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/15 "2011-04-30T03:16:19Z")
> [@newcomer](#): > > I sometimes use ProActive mask cream. It smells exactly as described… Wait, what? The sulfur face mask barely has any smell at all, so I seriously doubt anyone could smell it several feet away. Out of curiosity, am I the only one who was confused by the OP at first? I was under the impression it was going to be a thread about coffee additives… ---
**Author:** ![be\_bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a5b964/32.png) [@be\_bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/be_bright)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 7:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/16 "2011-04-30T07:31:48Z")
I thought it was about coffee creamer as well – so the third post confused me greatly and almost made me gag. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![njtt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecd19e/32.png) [@njtt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/njtt)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 8:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/17 "2011-04-30T08:49:04Z")
> [@Omar\_Little](#): > > I realized that my first response was a bit snarky, so here [let me google that for you](http://lmgtfy.com/?q=cream+substance+smells+something+horrible+strong+detergenty-like+sticks+in+the+air+burns+eyes+throat+hurt). > > It’s apparently either skunk scent or a vaginal steroid cream. So, LMGTFY is you _not_ being snarky, is it? ---
**Author:** ![Cicero](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cicero/32/3594_2.png) [@Cicero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cicero)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 9:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/18 "2011-04-30T09:09:18Z")
She has grabbed the goanna. [Goanna salve.](http://www.beautyheaven.com.au/health-wellbeing/supplements-vitamins/20313-salve) ---
**Author:** ![Student\_Driver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3da27b/32.png) [@Student\_Driver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Student_Driver)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 11:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/19 "2011-04-30T11:03:45Z")
> [@Dano83860](#): > > It’s also used by a lot of pot smokers.😉 …to do what, mask the smell? It’s a pretty toxic and noxious oil, hope it’s not smoked. It’d taste horrible, and it’s hard to imagine tea tree oil smoke being particularly safe to inhale. ---
**Author:** ![teela\_brown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d9b06d/32.png) [@teela\_brown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/teela_brown)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2011, 1:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211/20 "2011-04-30T13:02:31Z")
I had a similar problem with a co-worker who sat only a couple of feet away, and posted about it here a few years ago. I took the opportunity of sneaking a look at her desk when she was out sick one day and found the source of the stench: “Christmas Spice” hand cream. It stank like horribly over-scented seasonal potpourri and pungent scented candles combined. It made my eyes water and I had to leave the floor for several minutes. When I returned, with my nose returned to normal, I could smell the stuff on the other side of the floor. She also liked to spray herself, at her desk, with some sort of tropical coconut pineapple body spray. Thank God they fired that nutcase. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/co-worker-using-some-cream-with-horrible-detergent-like-smell-what-is-it/580211.md?page=2)