Let's Talk About Wound Malodour
The Patient ImpactChantell’s Story
Chantell is a former school assistant and mother of three children—twin daughters and a son. She also has a two-year-old granddaughter, whom she sees on Wednesdays.
In 2009, Chantell’s mother noticed a wound on her leg, which appeared ‘a bit ulcerated.’ At the time, Chantell, who was thirty-four, did not know what leg ulcers were and had never heard of anyone developing them. She went to her local GP to have the wound looked at and they gave her some dressings to take home with her. Before she knew it, nurses began visiting her home regularly for dressing changes.
Over time, more ulcers appeared on her leg, which led to a referral to dermatology. After a few years of clinical intervention, the ulcers appeared to heal. Believing her experiences with ulcers were over, she went on holiday with her family with her compression stockings in tow.
However, shortly after her return, Chantell says the ulcers ‘broke out’ again, leaving her ‘dressed and bandaged up’ once more.
Chantell’s first experience with wound malodour
Chantell recalls that she has struggled with wound malodour ‘as long as she can remember.’ Over the years, the severity of the odour has fluctuated depending on factors such as infection, dressings and even temperature.
Chantell remembers that the smell was especially bad during bouts of severe infection and when her wound looked ‘green.’ She likens the smell of the wound to a ‘baby’s nappy.’
“The impact that an individual and their carers experience when they have a malodorous wound should not be underestimated.”
Susy Pramod, 2025
The impact of wound malodour
Chantell emphasises that pain is the most distressing aspect of living with chronic leg ulcers. She admits that the recurring bouts of wound malodour only intensified feelings of anxiety and low self-esteem, making it harder for her to cope emotionally. The persistent malodour, in particular, shattered her confidence, making her feel unattractive.
Chantell grew increasingly self-conscious about other people smelling the wound. She recalls a moment when her young daughter innocently commented, ‘Mummy, your leg smells.’ Although she acknowledges that her daughter meant no harm, it made her worry that other people, beyond her immediate family, might also comment on the smell, amplifying her anxiety.
Chantell’s fears were realised while working as a school assistant. Chantell remembers when an otherwise well-behaved young boy openly said, ‘Miss . . ., your leg smells.’ The humiliating incident left Chantell feeling ‘so small and embarrassed.’ Ultimately, the combination of pain, mobility issues, dressing changes and embarrassment led her to resign from her position.
Aside from leaving her job, Chantell suffered other financial difficulties. She found herself washing her bed sheets three to four times a week to eliminate the odour. Larger bedding items, like her quilt and duvet, had to be taken to the laundrette for cleaning, which was both costly and time-consuming.
The wound malodour also carried broader social repercussions. Chantell began withdrawing from social situations, avoiding outings and meals at restaurants because she was anxious about the smell. This was extremely isolating for Chantell, who was already struggling with physical pain and discomfort, as well as depression and anxiety.
“Many patients and carers often become resilient and develop their own strategies to manage or mask the odour, such as frequent dressing changes, regular change of clothes and bed sheets, using fragrance sprays, candles and incense sticks.”
Susy Pramod, 2025
Chantell developed her own techniques to cope with the wound malodour, including regularly spraying perfume and, at times, using strong room spray to mask the smell. She confesses that this is a habit she keeps up, even when the wound does not smell.
For a time, Chantell resisted compression therapy, worried that the odour would cling to her bandages. She admits she would often remove her dressings before the nurses were due so she could clean and redress the wound in an effort to control the malodour. However, she recognises that this often exacerbated the condition of her wounds and hindered the healing process.
Reflecting on the past
Sixteen years after her initial diagnosis, Chantell reflects, ‘It’s a long time to have to suffer with chronic leg ulcers.’ She admits that there were many times when she felt defeated, making her question, ‘what’s the point of going on?’
Chantell insists that if she could change anything, it would be to have more education surrounding malodour, not just for clinicians, but also for patients. Having a better understanding of malodour may be reassuring for patients, helping them feel more in control of their situation and less anxious about living with hard-to-heal wounds.
In recent years, with the support and education of her current care team, Chantell has not only become more comfortable, but also more compliant with the recommended treatments. This has accelerated the healing process and reduced the occurrence of wound malodour.
“Despite its significant impact, there is limited guidance in the literature on managing wound malodour – assessment frequently remains subjective and management is often suboptimal.”
Susy Pramod, 2025
The future
With her wounds now showing significant improvement, Chantell now looks at the future with more optimism. She says, ‘I can’t wait for what the future holds when I do actually heal.’ She is especially excited at the prospect of doing ‘more fun things’ with her loved ones. She attributes much of her strength and resolve to her family, who have given her a constant sense of purpose during these difficult times, saying, ‘if it weren’t for them, I don’t know where I’d be in this moment.’
Chantell believes that better access to mental health services could really improve the quality of life for people living with chronic wounds by helping them speak through their anxieties and feel less alone. Her main advice for others facing similar challenges: ‘If it does happen to you, just speak to someone. Don’t let it eat away at you, because it does affect your mental health.’
Disclaimer:
Please note that while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the content presented, it is purely for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.