What does kidney disease body odor smell like?

Author: Mae Bartoletti  |  Last update: Wednesday, December 10, 2025

In the case of liver or kidney disease, your odor may give off a bleach-like smell due to toxin buildup in your body.

What body odor is associated with kidney problems?

When the liver is unable to properly filter toxins from the blood, these substances can be excreted through the body, causing a distinctive smell known as fetor hepaticus. Kidney disease: An ammonia smell to your breath (sometimes described as fishy or like urine) can indicate kidney disease.

What does it smell like when your kidneys are failing?

Kidney disease causes chemicals in urine to become concentrated and to cause a smell resembling ammonia. Kidney dysfunction can also cause high urine bacteria and protein levels, contributing to an ammonia smell.

Why does it smell when I open my legs?

Sweat is a combination of water, salt, and other chemicals. When it comes into contact with bacteria on the skin, it produces an odor. fungal infections: Fungal infections thrive in warm, moist areas, such as the groin area and inner thighs. They can cause a red, itchy rash and produce an unpleasant odor.

What does organ failure smell like?

Rarely, people can have bad breath because of organ failure. A person with kidney failure may have breath that smells like ammonia or urine. Serious liver disease can make breath smell musty or like garlic and rotten eggs. Compounds that are transported through the blood can also be released through your sweat glands.

3 Diseases That Make You Stink

Can you smell liver failure?

Foetor hepaticus is a feature of severe liver disease; a sweet and musty smell both on the breath and in urine. It is caused by the excretion of dimethyl disulphide and methyl mercaptan (CH3SH)2, arising from an excess of methionine.

What does kidney breath smell like?

If your breath smells like ammonia or you have an ammonia taste in your mouth, it may be a sign of a problem with your kidneys. Here's what you need to know about kidney functions and what having ammonia breath could indicate.

What does thyroid sweat smell like?

While thyroid disorders don't directly cause sour-smelling sweat at night, a change in thyroid hormone production can impact the rate of sweating. In turn, more sweat can result in body odor.

What autoimmune disease causes body odor?

Trimethylaminuria (TMAU) is a rare disorder in which the body is not able to metabolize the chemical trimethylamine, and this causes body odor.

How do you know if your kidneys are deteriorating?

Generally, earlier stages are known as 1 to 3. And as kidney disease progresses, you may notice the following symptoms. Nausea and vomiting, muscle cramps, loss of appetite, swelling via feet and ankles, dry, itchy skin, shortness of breath, trouble sleeping, urinating either too much or too little.

What does halitosis smell like?

Some describe halitosis as having a rotten egg or sulfurous aroma, which may be linked to digestive issues or sulfuric proteins in the mouth2. A sweet or fruity-scented bad breath could be indicative of conditions like diabetes2, which requires medical attention.

What is a uremic smell?

Uremic fetor is a urine-like odor on the breath of people with uremia. The odor occurs from the smell of ammonia, which is created in the saliva as a breakdown product of urea. Uremic fetor is usually associated with an unpleasant metallic taste (dysgeusia) and can be a symptom of chronic kidney disease.

What vitamin deficiency causes body odor?

A zinc deficiency may occur due to underactive thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism) that produces few thyroid hormones and affect the detoxification process, resulting in body odour.

Why do I smell bad even with good hygiene down there?

A strong vaginal odor may be a sign of vaginitis, or it may be a temporary smell related to your hygiene, lifestyle or other changes. Take note of whether you have other symptoms. If the odor is related to an infection, you'll usually notice other changes, like vaginal itching, burning and discharge.

Does your body smell if you have kidney disease?

In the case of liver or kidney disease, your odor may give off a bleach-like smell due to toxin buildup in your body.

What illness can make you smell bad?

Kidney disease can cause build of urea and make your sweat and urine smell like ammonia. Thyroid Issues - Thyroid glands regulate many bodily functions, including our sweat response.

Do people with hypothyroidism smell?

This study indicates that taste and smell deficits are common in hypothyroid patients and these deficits could be reversed with treatment. It is still controversial which mechanisms are playing a role for taste and smell loss in hypothyroidism patients.

Can other people smell my down there odor?

The truth is that when everything's normal, no one else smells any odors from a girl's vagina. If a girl has an infection like bacterial vaginosis, she may notice a fishy smell. But even then, it's unlikely that people around her will notice it.

Why do I smell fishy after he came in me?

Vaginal odour and sex

During exercise and sexual activity, it is normal for the genitals to get sweaty and this may contribute to a stronger vaginal odour. However, if you notice a stronger fishy smelling odour after sex, it could be an infection called bacterial vaginosis (BV).

Why does it smell when I pull my pants down?

Our vaginas are home to billions of bacteria and the balance of this bacteria changes constantly, creating different aromas varying from musty and fermented to coppery or sweet smelling. These smell variations are likely a result of your menstrual cycle, your hygiene habits, or just you.

What does kidney sweat smell like?

Conditions like kidney disease, diabetes or hyperhidrosis can affect how your body processes waste, leading to an intense ammonia smell. It's essential to tune into your body's signals and consult with a healthcare professional if you suspect your sweat's scent is more than just a dietary or exercise-related quirk.

Does liver failure smell?

Fetor hepaticus is a distinct smell on the breath of someone with liver disease. It happens when your liver can't filter certain toxic substances from your blood anymore. These substances build up in your blood and come out in your breath. You may also detect the same smell in your pee or sweat.

What does H. pylori smell like?

pylori alone doesn't have an unpleasant odor. However, the above study showed that patients with H. pylori also carried Prevotella intermedia, one of the major periodontal bacteria. If you have bad breath and ulcers, check with your doctor to see if they're related.

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