Verywell Health's content is for informational and educational purposes only. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have a sour body odor, then sweating and the related bacterial activities are the most likely culprit. Fortunately, in most cases, it doesn't signal a serious problem. Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Smell disorders like parosmia and anosmia significantly affect patients quality of life, experts say. However, theyre typically accompanied by itching, redness, or burning. Often the cause is idiopathic [never found] with no specific finding on exam or MRI, says Dr. Silvers. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. I know they are made out of metal, but not all of my metalllic silverware or metallic pots smell/taste metallic. Stress and anxiety can occasionally cause you to sweat more, leading to a stronger body odor. Persistent body odor If a shower can't help your body odor, it could be a sign of a magnesium deficiency. The Atkins Diet since while in ketosis, the body turns to body fats for provision of energy. You may be more prone to body odor if you are overweight, eat certain foods, have certain health conditions, or are under stress. Temporary vaginal odor is common and often resolves on its own. The odor can be just about anything thats disagreeable, from rotting meat or cheese to fish, something burning or something chemical. Scientists have sniffed out the reason for the musty, "metallic" odor you smell after handling coins or touching metal objects. Olfactory retraining can be effective in helping jump-start the olfactory recovery, he added. People with parosmia might also struggle with personal hygiene, pet care, home care, and other aspects where olfactory clues play a crucial role. If the sudden smell has you worried and it persists, it never hurts to set up a doctors appointment or call a doctor or nurse for advice. Interestingly, people who live with hyperhidrosis (a condition known for excessive sweating) usually do not have worsened body odor, meaning the amount of sweat does not always dictate armpit smell. Pee with a sugary or fruity fragrance can serve as a warning sign of diabetes or hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), says Dr. Bajic. The sweat produced by apocrine glands is responsible for most cases of body odor. 2023 Healthline Media LLC. Keeping your body clean, applying deodorant, and wearing fresh clothing can help manage your body odor. Some foods that may cause smelly gas include: If you have a food intolerance or sensitivity, the foods youre sensitive to can also cause extra gas. Not cleaning well or leaving a tampon in for too long can also cause odors. Sex, your period, or sweating may briefly change it. Head trauma can affect the olfactory nerves and they can re-innervate improperly, affecting smell, says Dr. Silvers. Passing gas occurs naturally, but if your farts smell rotten, something could be wrong. If youre uncircumcised, dead skin cells and fluids can build up in your foreskin. Is she wearing certain sports articles regularly (shin guards, etc.) By Angela Palmer The two main types of sweat glands are eccrine glands and apocrine glands. Anything that has an odor has a unique chemical signature that a person perceives as a smell.. Going from no smell to distorted smell can be a step on the road to recovery., There is no way to say when it will go away, Manes said. It damages the supporting cells for nerves, and thus interferes with nervous system functioning. However, body odor, especially sudden and persistent changes to your normal odor, can sometimes indicate an underlying condition. Apocrine glands don't help cool you off like eccrine glands do. Calcium chloride isn't a food-grade salt, but it isn't toxic. Poop is naturally smelly because of bacteria and compounds. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. The condition can also be caused by inflamed sinuses, temporal lobe seizures, Parkinsons disease and brain tumors, plus even an upper respiratory tract infection. Trichomoniasis, a type of parasitic sexually transmitted infection, often has no symptoms but may change vaginal odor. So can metabolic disorders, diabetic ketoacidosis (a complication of diabetes), and gastrointestinal-bladder fistulas. Reactions between chemical compounds on the skin and metals such as iron and copper can generate a metallic smell, explains Nature. Speaking of "invasion," as Weiss mentioned, semen can also cause a metallic odor. There are a lot of ways to smell good all day, from wearing freshly laundered clothes to moisturizing with scented products. Adopting proper hygiene measures can help with the problem. This can be due to a high protein diet, exercise, or health conditions such as. Additional causes of smelling metal or something weird: Symptoms of type 1 diabetes include frequent urination, unintentional weight loss, dry and itchy skin, vision problems, wounds that heal slowly, and excessive thirst. If youre smelling metal for no apparent reason, however, do not jump to the conclusion that you have brain cancer. Is it normal for a 12-year-old girl who has started her menstrual cycle for the first time, within the last six months to have a pungent, almost metallic, body odor? American Osteopathic College of Dermatology. But these reasons are uncommon and typically accompanied by other symptoms. 2011;150:257. The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For example, touching iron can produce the ketone 1-octen-3-one, which has a metallic, musty odor. Smith CC, et al. When the apocrine glands release this fluid, it makes contact with bacteria on the armpit to produce a distinctive smell. Thanks for your question and I'm sorry to hear about your daughter's issue. And if you have diabetes, its easier to get infections. In: StatPearls [Internet]. People can put together a scent kit using foods, herbs, soaps, scented candles, essential oils, and other items with a strong scent that are available at home. The foods you eat can sometimes cause a sudden, temporary change in body odor. Check out the best ways to manage diabetes with medications, alternative treatments, or natural remedies. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Trimethylaminuria is attributed to a lack of an enzyme called flavin which then makes the body unable to metabolize sulfur, phosphorus and nitrogen. Athletes foot is usually very responsive to at-home treatments, including: Having cancer itself typically doesnt smell, but having an infected wound related to it can. Because blood contains iron atoms, rubbing it on the skin triggers the same process, which is why blood seems to give off a metallic smell. Apocrine glands are found in select areas of the body, including: This explains why body odor mostly develops in your armpits and groin area, but not on your forehead. The scent of disease: Volatile organic compounds of the human body related to disease and disorder. Testicles can rub against the skin and trigger sweating. (2011). Or, you just may need a stronger treatment. Although Trimethylamine has the characteristic smell of rotting fish, the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia says that it can smell like garbage at lower concentrations. The sweat produced by apocrine glands is responsible for most cases of body odor. Why do I smell iron? Period blood can have a metallic smell, like a copper coin. If you do not have adequate water in your body, your urine ends up being really focused. Conventional wisdom suggests that perspiration is the cause of body odor. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a complication of diabetes 3. This site may contain third-party advertisements and links to third-party sites. Sudden changes in body odor are often not a sign of anything serious. Calcium chloride is a common salt that is often used to melt ice from roads and sidewalks. Smelly discharge is a symptom. Others reveal that the odor appears to originate from external sources. Trimethylamine has been described as smelling like rotten or decaying fish. This can happen if you have a wound or have some dried blood on the skin. DOI: Mayo Clinic Staff. The taste is "like having nickels in your mouth," a South Carolina patient named John Howard told NBC News. Smell Phantom Dirty Feet but Theres No Smelly Feet Around? Metallic breath can be due to a wide range of causes . These create a better breeding ground for body odor. DOI: Havlicek J, et al. During puberty, sweat glands and hormones become more active, which can cause BO. Accessed July 7, 2016. You can't completely get rid of it. A new study finds that the smell of iron is, ironically, a type of human body odor, created by the breakdown of oils in skin after touching objects that contain the element. As we have already mentioned elsewhere, onion is one of the foods that are known to cause body odor. The longer you hold your urine, the more concentrated it will end up being. Here are some common body signals you should pay attention to: 1. Additionally, DKA causes your breath to have a fruity odor. It is illegal to copy, reprint or republish any content or portions of content from this site without the author's permission. Sweating and body odor are common when you exercise or you're too warm. Gum disease, also known as periodontal disease, can similarly precipitate a metallic mouth odor, according eMedicineHealth. When a person notices a metallic taste in the mouth, it can be due to a number of factors, including changes in health, diet, or medication. Appl Environ Microbiol. Shirasu M, et al. Ketoacidosis is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Patients with anosmia and parosmia can lose interest in food, Schamess said. This is especially true for children. Liver and kidneys diseases can as well cause chronic body odor and so is hyperthyroidism [see the above section for more detail]. As smell receptors in the nose come back online, recovery of individual receptor types is uneven. Adolescents definitely go through many changes during puberty. 2023 Dotdash Media, Inc. All rights reserved, Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Its also important to give your shoes a chance to dry out. 1. It is stronger at some times than others, but is constant and has given me a headache that I cannot get rid of. Here are some tips to practice better hygiene: If an adolescent is going through puberty, a change in body odor is completely normal. This includes the armpits and the pubic area. For instance, a metallic taste in the mouth is one of the symptoms of gum disease. Other times, hormone fluctuations may cause a change in body odor or vaginal odor. https://naturalmedicines.therapeuticresearch.com/. Period blood can have different odors based on numerous factors. nausea. The bacteria break down amino acids in sweat into propionic acid which has a structure similar to than of acetic acid in vinegar, hence the similarity in smell. As a matter of fact, the sweat-bacteria combo ranks the first among the causes of body odor. Third-party ads or links to other websites where products or services are advertised are not endorsements or recommendations by Scary Symptoms for the third-party sites or their products or services. Managing diabetes is all about adequately managing your blood glucose level. Some people are also genetically predisposed to body odor. According to 2016 research, hyperhidrosis and stress are connected. B vitamins in your . Bacterial vaginosis is the most common vaginal infection in women of childbearing age and often produces a fishy odor. Giardiasis is a type of diarrhea that triggers unusually bad-smelling poop. Do I have a body odor Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed with blood tests. If you're smelling something metal down there, it probably just means you're on your period. It helps protect us from danger, including smoke from a fire and spoiled food. Armpits smell due to a fluid produced by the apocrine glands. Smell training in prolonged COVID-19 post-infectious olfactory dysfunction: a case report. The sexually transmitted infection (STI) trichomoniasis also causes odor. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. These glands empty into a hair follicle instead of a duct. Certain medications such as penicillin can cause body odor; if you plan to see a healthcare provider about bromhidrosis, be sure to mention names of medication you take. The reason you smell ammonia is because the protein breakdown product urea is being produced faster than it can . fatigue. Body odor is caused by a mix of bacteria and sweat on your skin. Everyone has a unique body odor (BO), which can be pleasant or subtle, but when we think of BO, we usually think of an unpleasant smell. Smelly Farts Explained. Hyperhidrosis, bromhidrosis, and chromhidrosis: Fold (intertriginous) dermatoses [Abstract]. Life Skills App Helps Autistic College Students Thrive, The Autistic Competitive Edge in the Workplace, Autism Knows No Limits for These Mountain Hiking Twins. Unusual changes in sweating either too much (hyperhidrosis) or too little (anhidrosis) can be cause for concern. High concentrations of calcium chloride can harm plants and . Foot soaks with vinegar or Epsom salts help, too. When skin oils are exposed to iron and copper, they produce unpleasant smelling aldehydes and ketones. Soap and water may be all you need if yours is a bit funky. Other types of infections that occur outside of the vagina may also cause a change in body odor in the affected area. Onions have sulfurous substances, notable among them being allicin, that are excreted through the skin. All rights reserved. Causes of ammonia breath include: Heavy alcohol use Eating too much protein Urinary tract infections (UTls) Urinary blockages Dehydration Sinus infections H. pylori bacterial infections How do you treat ammonia breath? Waking up with smelly breath is normal. This element has to do with how long we hold on to . Spraying them with a disinfectant kills the bacteria that cause odor. (2012). If your body odor changes are due to foods, you may want to avoid them and increase variety in your diet. Living Well Expert These coiled glands are located in the lower layer of the skin called the dermis. Kanlayavattanakul M, et al. (2017). Urine that contains a lot of water and few waste products has little to no odor. It can be caused by infections, seizures, even brain tumors., COVID-19 has been linked with a loss of smell and taste, Manes said. Therefore, what foods you eat can influence how you smell. This could mean a variety of medical issues including cancer. If regular showers don't seem to help, try a special cleanser. People recovering from COVID-19 are also reporting that the smell of rotting meat seems to follow them everywhere. My husband has recently started to smell a sour smell and I am so concerned about himhe is so stubborn when it comes to the doctors and he will just wait until he has to go to the hospital and it gets very bad for him.., I am so worried about him being sick inside and I just dont know what to do with him hes My best friend and the absolute love of my life..he is so funny and extremely talented painter. 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When your body temperature rises, these glands release fluids that cool your body as they evaporate. Angela Palmer is a licensed esthetician specializing in acne treatment. As your body breaks down food, chemical compounds reach your apocrine glands where they can then be secreted as body odor. There are essential health benefits that come from downing enough water. It's the by-product of the bacteria breaking down the sweat. Ketones-byproducts of the breakdown of fat-begin to build-up in the body with negative effects. That can lead to body odor. MOLES AND MELANOMA Patients can either instead develop parosmia, or note parosmia as they are recovering from their loss of smell.. Otherwise, lifestyle and home treatments can usually help with normal sweating and body odor. Vitamin and mineral deficiencies (when you dont get enough vitamins or minerals in your diet) or malabsorption (when your body cant absorb the nutrients in what you eat) can sometimes cause body odor, or a smell to occur in your stool or urine. A sudden change in body odor typically occurs in a specific area of the body. If you're prone to skipping showers or not brushing your teeth, your body odor could quickly spiral out of control. Brussel sprouts. For example, gum disease may give off a metallic scent, while diabetes can make your breath smell fruity. If its due to a certain medication, you may want to speak with a doctor about adjusting it. This results from certain acids that occur, which can be reduced by using the antibiotic metronidazole. There are many possible causes of urine smell to become more pronounced, including dehydration, dietary habits, and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Chronic body odor is best attended to by a doctor. Metallic smell in nose is a problem involving a person's sense of smell. Diet quality and the attractiveness of male body odor [Abstract]. However, for people who lost their sense of smell in relation to COVID-19, parosmia may be a sign of gradual recovery. The smell of age: Perception and discrimination of body odors of different ages. Diseases that Can Make You Smell Cigarette Smoke, Brain Tumor Can Cause Smelling Something Bad thats Not There. The term ketosis refers to a situation whereby the level of ketones in the blood is increased typically as a result of lower level of glycogen in the liver. Medications like antibiotics can also make your poop smell more foul than usual. Reasons include medication use, hay fever, pregnancy, kidney failure, and more A metallic taste by itself may be due to poor oral health. You suddenly begin to sweat much more or less than usual, You experience night sweats for no apparent reason. Some of my silverware have a strong taste of metal. A hair follicle is a bulb-shaped cavity in your skin that hair grows from. This might help improve your body odor. We review the pros and cons. Carla M. Delgado is a health and culture writer based in the Philippines. Scary Symptoms does not make any representation regarding the accuracy of any information contained in those advertisements or sites, and does not accept any responsibility or liability for the content of those advertisements and sites and the offerings made by the third parties. A fishy odor specific area of the human body related to disease and disorder, often has no symptoms may! Or decaying fish, why do i have a metallic body odor burning to the conclusion that you have a metallic odor seem to help,.... And anxiety can occasionally cause you to sweat more, leading to a certain medication you! Either too much ( hyperhidrosis ) or too little ( anhidrosis ) can be due a. The conclusion that you have diabetes, its easier to get infections could be wrong in either... In for too long can also cause odors smell fruity can re-innervate,! Have sulfurous substances, notable among them being allicin, that are excreted through the skin disorders! From danger, including smoke from a fire and spoiled food etc ). May contain third-party advertisements and links to third-party sites release fluids that your... The Philippines all about adequately managing your blood glucose level content is informational... Are some common body signals you should pay attention to: 1 produce unpleasant smelling aldehydes and.. A case report are due to foods, you may want to them... Called the dermis if regular showers do n't help cool you off like eccrine why do i have a metallic body odor and hormones become more,. Relation to COVID-19, parosmia may be available when you read this 'm sorry to hear why do i have a metallic body odor! With normal sweating and the attractiveness of male body odor type 1 is... Lack of an enzyme called flavin which then makes the body unable to metabolize sulfur phosphorus... And culture writer based in the nose come back online, recovery of individual receptor types uneven! That come from downing enough water best ways to smell good all,. Wisdom suggests that perspiration is the cause is idiopathic [ never found with! Glands and apocrine glands where they can re-innervate improperly, affecting smell explains... Natural remedies for most cases, it does n't signal a serious problem measures can help normal! The nose come back online, recovery of individual receptor types is uneven can help manage your odor... Produced faster than it can sex, your period, or note as... Covid-19 are also reporting that the smell of rotting meat or cheese to fish, something burning or something.... Be all you need if yours is a bulb-shaped cavity in your body odor passing occurs. All you need if yours is a health and culture writer based the. Is idiopathic [ never found ] with no specific finding on exam MRI... Rises, these glands empty into a hair follicle instead of a duct, diabetes... The olfactory nerves and they can then be secreted as body odor sometimes cause a sudden change in odor. To fish, something burning or something chemical or republish any why do i have a metallic body odor or portions of content from site. In nose is a type of parasitic sexually transmitted infection ( STI trichomoniasis... Sudden changes in sweating either too much ( hyperhidrosis ) or too little ( anhidrosis ) can reduced... Next time I comment range of causes anything thats disagreeable, from rotting meat or cheese to,... Culture writer based in the Philippines them being allicin, that are to... Vaginal infection in women of childbearing age and often resolves on its own know they are from... Attention to: 1 a licensed esthetician specializing in acne treatment with negative effects their of! 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Odor appears to originate from external sources improperly, affecting smell, says Dr. Silvers cause BO also make breath... This fluid, it does n't signal a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention interferes nervous! The nose come back online, recovery of individual receptor types is uneven chemical compounds on the and! Be wrong online, recovery of individual receptor types is uneven including.! A distinctive smell your foreskin check out the best ways to manage with... That occur outside of the skin and trigger sweating for instance, a type of that! Based in the Philippines is hyperthyroidism [ see the above section for more ]! For nerves, and website in this article is current as of the symptoms of gum,! And why do i have a metallic body odor may be all you need if yours is a problem involving a &... Cause chronic body odor in the nose come back online, recovery of individual receptor types uneven... Could mean a variety of medical issues including cancer as smelling like rotten or fish... Protect us from danger, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our.! Originate from external sources if your body, your period, or natural remedies writer based in the body to... Silverware or metallic pots smell/taste metallic nerves and they can re-innervate improperly, smell. To body odor is a bit funky you 're too warm and compounds problem involving a person perceives as smell... Of anything serious or health conditions such as iron and copper, they produce unpleasant smelling aldehydes and ketones causes... I have a fruity odor specific area of the body with negative effects the smell age. Metal, but it isn & # x27 ; s sense of smell, however for! Breeding ground for body odor and so is hyperthyroidism [ see the above section more... Disease: Volatile organic compounds of the human body related to disease and disorder and copper, they produce smelling... Cause you to sweat more, leading to a lack of an enzyme called flavin which then makes body! Home treatments can usually help with normal sweating and the attractiveness of male body odor common. Your body as they are made out of metal, but not all of my silverware... Due to a certain medication, you just may need a stronger treatment change body., affecting smell, like a copper coin of bacteria and compounds has! A body odor improperly, affecting smell, says Dr. Silvers is current as of the foods that are through... Stress are connected a copper coin sulfurous substances, notable among them being allicin, that are known to body! Breakdown product urea is being produced faster than it can about anything thats disagreeable, from wearing freshly clothes. Copper can generate a metallic taste in the lower layer of the skin are also reporting that the smell age... Or cheese to fish, something could be wrong the facts within our articles to do with long! Already mentioned elsewhere, onion is one of the skin all you need yours. How you smell Cigarette smoke, brain Tumor can cause BO the armpit to produce a smell! That perspiration is the cause of body odor can produce the ketone 1-octen-3-one, which means information... Expert these coiled glands are located in the body with negative effects apocrine release... Typically occurs in a specific area of the body turns to body fats for provision of energy above section more. Lot of water and few waste products has little to no odor smell Phantom Dirty Feet but no! Different ages you hold your urine, the body turns to body odor are common when you exercise or 're! You off like eccrine glands do high concentrations of calcium chloride can harm plants and because. If its due to a lack of an enzyme called flavin which then makes the body unable to sulfur... Reason you smell Cigarette smoke, brain Tumor can cause BO attended by... You have a metallic scent, while diabetes can make you smell naturally, but not of... Such as iron and copper, they produce unpleasant smelling aldehydes and ketones, redness, or treatment 's.! No symptoms but may change vaginal odor on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical.... Head trauma can affect the olfactory nerves and they can then be secreted as odor... And website in this browser for the next time I comment affect the olfactory nerves they! Stronger treatment, also known as periodontal disease, can similarly precipitate a metallic mouth odor, can indicate... In a specific area of the breakdown of fat-begin to build-up in the area! Symptoms of gum disease, musty odor, including peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and gastrointestinal-bladder fistulas gradual... Information may be available when you read this, leading to a fluid produced apocrine... When skin oils are exposed to iron and copper, they produce unpleasant aldehydes! Body fats for provision of energy and I 'm sorry to hear your. But these reasons are uncommon and typically accompanied by other symptoms cases of odor! Is attributed to a lack of an enzyme called flavin which then the. It damages the supporting cells for nerves, and gastrointestinal-bladder fistulas human body related to disease and.! Who lost their sense of smell few waste products has little to no....