Why Sneezes Smell, And What 4 Scents Mean - Ishonest

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Now reading: Why Sneezes Smell, and what 4 Scents Mean

First of All, Why Do Sneezes Smell?

"A sneeze is a sudden expulsion of air likely due to an irritant or irritation in the nasal cavity," Dr. Del Signore says. Usually, these irritants are allergens (think: pollen or dust), environmental pollutants or germs like viruses. In other words, things your body wants to flush out.

Tip

If youve been experiencing weird smelling sneezes regularly, see your doctor, who can perform a proper health assessment and help you determine whats going on.

1. Your Sneeze Smells Sweet

If your sneeze is sweet-smelling like honey, the scent could signify elevated levels of ketones, Dr. Del Signore says. This can occur when you're on the keto diet, but it can also be a sign of something more serious, such as diabetic ketoacidosis, Dr. Del Signore explains.

Other symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis include:

• Fruity-scented breath
• Shortness of breath
• Excessive thirst
• Frequent urination
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Fatigue

2. It Smells Sour

Sour-smelling sneezes often go hand in hand with stinky saliva and bad breath.

A sour sneeze odor can definitely be a sign of tooth-related problems or gum disease, Dr. Del Signore says. "Plaque has a distinct sour smell to it, so exposed roots and poor dentition carry the same scents," he explains. And when you sneeze, you expel that smelly spit.

If your sneeze smells sour, schedule a checkup with your dentist ASAP.

3. Your Sneeze Smells Foul

If your sneeze has a putrid stench, it's probably due to a sinus infection, Dr. Del Signore says.

A sinus infection, also called sinusitis, occurs when fluid accumulates in your sinuses, which permits pesky pathogens to grow, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Symptoms of sinusitis include post-nasal drip and bad breath, which, as we know, can affect the way your sneeze smells.

And while sinusitis is a common culprit of foul-scented sneezes, any infection in the mouth or nose can cause a foul odor, Dr. Del Signore adds.

See your doctor if you suspect you have an infection, because you'll likely need antibiotics to clear it up.

Read more on: livestrong