DEAR ABBY: Maybe you can shed some light on a problem that has been bothering me. Can you tell me why my husband, who is nearly 70 (but in excellent health), has in recent years become more and more "allergic" to soap and water?
Many of my friends of approximately the same age have confided to me that they have the same problem with their husbands. Is there a psychological or physiological explanation for this behavior -- or is it just another way men have of aggravating their wives? -- COLUMBUS, GA.
DEAR COLUMBUS: I have heard this complaint before, but it applies to women as well as men. There is no single explanation, but I offer the following: As a person ages, one's senses -- hearing and sight -- grow dull, so why not the sense of smell as well?
Some older people may find it difficult or inconvenient to bathe daily. It's also possible that they do not change their undergarments daily. Arthritis might also make it painful to wash themselves thoroughly.