Removing Skunk Smell on People With Tomato Sauce

Tomato Sauce

• Tomato sauce has often been touted as the standard cure to the smell from that horrible skunk spray. Tests have found that tomato juice is completely ineffective at getting rid of skunk odor. The reason that people believe the odor is gone is because of a phenomenon known as olfactory fatigue. During this condition the skunk smell is so strong that the nose becomes overwhelmed. When the nose is overwhelmed it picks up on other smells and stops noticing the overwhelming one. The person who sits in tomato juice will only be able to smell the tomatoes and believe that the skunk smell has vanished. However, everyone around them will still be able to smell the skunk stench.

Olfactory Fatigue

• Olfactory fatigue occurs in the nerves that keep track of smells. Just like with any other sensation, smells dull over time. This happens because the nerve membrane is incapable of keeping up with the rate of change placed on it by the smell. It can keep up with it for a few minutes, but over time the smell outpaces the membrane and begins to dull. Eventually it is barely noticeable at all and new smells will seem much more powerful than old ones.

What Works

• A simple mixture made up of hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and dish soap can completely neutralize skunk odors leaving you smelling fresh. Mix 1 qt. of fresh peroxide must be mixed with one-quarter cup baking soda and 1 tsp. of dish soap. The ingredients have to be mixed in an open container because a closed one can explode. The solution should remain in contact with the skin and hair for five minutes before removing. It works by transforming the odorous thiols into a completely odorless acid.

Avoiding Skunks

• The easiest way to avoid running into skunks is by putting up barriers around your property. Skunks can dig underneath a fence, so it is important to bury your fence at least 1 foot underground. It also helps to angle the bottom of the fence out 6 to 12 inches. Remove any large piles of wood, uninhabited shelters, or old cars from your yard because these will all attract skunks. You should also avoid leaving any pet food outdoors, or garbage that is not covered.