Why do I keep smelling finger nail polish remover?

Author: Laron Aufderhar  |  Last update: Friday, November 14, 2025

Refrigerant Leak If you don't know what acetone smells like off the top of your head, it's sometimes used as a finger nail polish remover, and it's found in some paints and solvents. If you smell acetone in your home, it's a sign that there could be a refrigerant leak.

Why do I keep smelling nail polish remover?

Nostalgia and Association: Smells are closely linked to memory and emotion due to the way our brains process olfactory information. For some people, the scent of gasoline or nail polish remover might evoke memories of childhood, creativity, or specific experiences, leading to a positive emotional response.

Why do I smell acetone when there is none?

Why Does My House Smell Like Acetone? The acetone smell in your house is probably coming from a refrigerant leak in your air conditioner or refrigerator. These appliances rely on refrigerants to keep things cool, but if there's a leak, those chemicals can escape into the air, and give out that sharp, chemical odor.

Why does my child smell like nail polish remover?

Sometimes the parents will smell ketones on their child's breath—they smell like acetone nail polish remover or rotten apples. A blood glucose measurement less than 70 mg/dL at the time of symptoms proves the diagnosis of hypoglycemia.

What does it mean if you smell acetone in your house?

Environmental Factors​ Environmental factors can also contribute to the presence of acetone odor in your house. Mold and mildew growth, poor ventilation, and high humidity levels can all cause a musty smell that many people associate with nail polish remover.

Remove Gel Polish from Natural Nails with Water! No Acetone EZ Peel Off Gel Polish

What disease is related to acetone odor?

Every medical student learns that the odor of acetone on an unconscious patient's breath should cause a search for further evidence of diabetic coma. Now this gross clinical sign may be harnessed by modern technology, providing information to aid in diagnosis and in management of diabetes.

Does carbon monoxide smell like nail polish?

Does Carbon Monoxide Smell Like Nail Polish? No, carbon monoxide is completely odorless.

What does diabetes odor smell like?

Some people with diabetes compare the smell of insulin to the scent of Band-Aids, printer ink, Lysol, or new plastic shower curtain liners (4). Apparently, phenols are responsible for the aroma associated with insulin (5).

What are diabetic ketones?

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is a life-threatening problem that affects people with diabetes. It occurs when the body starts breaking down fat at a rate that is much too fast. The liver processes the fat into a fuel called ketones, which causes the blood to become acidic.

Are phantom smells a symptom of a brain tumor?

Smelling smoke, or experiencing phantom smells that are not actually present, can be a symptom associated with certain types of brain tumors. These olfactory hallucinations, known as phantosmia, can occur when a tumor affects the brain regions responsible for processing smell signals.

When should I be concerned about phantom smells?

It's a symptom of many common conditions, including allergies, colds and upper respiratory infections. It could also indicate a brain-related condition, including epilepsy, stroke or Alzheimer's disease. If you have phantom smells that last longer than a few weeks, schedule an appointment with your healthcare provider.

What illness can make you smell bad?

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. That can make your armpits and skin smell bad.

Can everyone smell ketones?

Normally, your body gets the energy it needs from dietary carbohydrates. Ketones are produced if you are starving or have uncontrolled diabetes. Although not adequately studied, it is thought that fewer than half of people can detect the fruity, sweet smell of ketosis.

Why do I have a chemical smell in my mouth?

One of the products removed from the blood supply by kidneys is urea. When the kidneys fail to remove all of the urea, the urea breaks down into ammonia. Hence, the reason people with renal problems often have breath that smells like chemicals or ammonia breath.

Why does my house smell like rubbing alcohol?

Others describe it as smelling sterile, more like rubbing alcohol. If you suspect that an odor is coming from the refrigerant, check the area surrounding your A/C unit for a leak in addition to checking for other signs.

What does it mean when you start smelling nail polish remover?

Acetone is a type of ketone, and it is the same fruity-smelling substance found in some nail polish removers. If the breath of a person with diabetes smells of acetone, this suggests that there are high levels of ketones in their blood. As the ketones build up, they increase the acidity of the blood. This can be toxic.

Why am I smelling acetone in my house?

An acetone smell is a telltale sign of a refrigerant leak. Common with older systems and even newer ones that aren't properly installed, this is extremely dangerous as AC refrigerant is highly flammable. Check for other signs of a leak and call your local HVAC company to inspect and repair the system promptly.

Why does my car smell like fingernail polish remover?

A nail polish smell usually indicates leaking freon in the air conditioning system. If you smell an acetone-like odor, open the windows to allow the vehicle to air out. Then, take it to your mechanic or an HVAC repair specialist.

What does liver disease smell like?

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 is a diabetic belly?

But that doesn't mean abdominal weight gain should be ignored. It can be an early sign of so-called "diabetic belly," a build-up of visceral fat in your abdomen which may be a symptom of type 2 diabetes and can increase your chances of developing other serious medical conditions.

Why do I smell a chemical smell in my nose?

Phantosmia may be caused by a head injury or upper respiratory infection. It also can be caused by aging, trauma, temporal lobe seizures, inflamed sinuses, brain tumors, certain medicines and Parkinson's disease. Phantosmia also can result from a COVID-19 infection.

What does diabetes body odor smell like?

People with uncontrolled diabetes can experience a fruity or acetone-like smell (think nail polish remover) on their breath or skin. This is due to the buildup of ketones in your bloodstream, which is a byproduct of fat breakdown.

What are two warning signs of carbon monoxide poisoning?

The most common symptoms of CO poisoning are headache, dizziness, weakness, upset stomach, vomiting, chest pain, and confusion. CO symptoms are often described as “flu-like.” If you breathe in a lot of CO, it can make you pass out or kill you.

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