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Dr Gérald Kierzek (Medical Director)
Whether mild or persistent, the smell given off by a part of your body sometimes says something about your health. An olfactory clue which can, if necessary, send you to a doctor. Here are the recognizable odors that should alert you, according to Dr. Gérald Kierzek, medical director of Doctissimo.
Whether you like it or not, your body emits odors every day. It smells good when you get out of the shower, sometimes less so after a workout, but that’s not surprising. On the other hand, certain characteristic and unusual odors should make you wonder about a medical cause.
“Body odor can indeed reveal important information about our health” cconfirms Dr. Gérald Kierzek, emergency physician and medical director of Doctissimo.
Here is a panel of smells to recognize.
An ammonia smell in the urine
If your urine is too concentrated and smells like ammonia, it could indicate a kidney problem or dehydration, says our expert. Don’t worry, however, if you have eaten asparagus: certain foods naturally give off a particular smell that is not serious.
A smell of garlic in the urine
A garlic smell may be due to eating foods like garlic or onion, in fact. No need to worry if this was part of your diet. “However, if you haven’t eaten strong foods and you still smell like garlic, it could be a sign of problems hepatic.” reveals our expert. And the sign to consult.
A strong smell of sweat
Nothing unusual about smelling sweat if you leave the crossfit room or a zumba session. A strong smell of sweat may be normal after exercise or in the heat. “However, if the odor is persistent and unpleasant, it could be linked to a diet high in red meat or sweat gland problems.” There may be some monitoring to be done on this side.
Fishy body odor
Fishy odor may be associated with something called trimethylaminuria (fish syndrome). This genetic condition causes an unpleasant body odor due to a faulty enzyme, but people who suffer from it usually know it doesn’t indicate anything new.
The fishy smell is also the first sure sign of a genital infection, especially in women (urinary, vaginal infection, etc.) which requires a quick consultation.
Smelly feet
Strong foot odor is more annoying than serious, but should be taken care of. “Smelly feet are often caused by bacteria that grow in sweat. Make sure to wear breathable shoes and maintain good foot hygiene” advises our expert.
Breath smelling of vomit
Do you detect bad breath, despite sufficient dental hygiene? Certain odors are characteristic. “If your breath smells like vomit, it could be linked to gastrointestinal issues, like acid reflux.”
Fruity smelling breath
Be vigilant if you detect a sweet or fruity odor, such as that of a pippin apple, in your breath. “This may be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes. See a doctor immediately if you notice this.”
In any case, an odor that arises, that appeals to you, that does not disappear despite hygiene care (a good shower or brushing) and persists should lead you to consult a health professional.
Slide: Strange noises of the human body