Terrible smell coming from person

**monkeywrangler71** · 11-01-2010, 03:49 PM

Someone in my house has a terrible smell coming from them. This morning when I got up I felt sick from the smell in the house. I spent the entire morning cleaning and looking for the source. When I picked this person up this afternoon it was clear the smell was coming from them.

It smells like rotting spinach. It is really strong, I can smell it everywhere even after they have only been home for 1/2 an hour. Does anyone recognize this as being a symptom of anything? I'm worried that it is an infection or that they are really sick with something. I've asked if they feel sick or have anything infected, but obviously a difficult topic and I don't want to push it too hard. I'm not sure if the smell is coming from the inside or the outside, you can only sniff at someone so much before they feel hurt.

Nurses, have you smelled this before on anyone? Like a package of spinach that's gone bad.

**thesightofoneself** · 11-01-2010, 03:53 PM

they might just need a bath and deorderant

**Greebo** · 11-01-2010, 03:56 PM

Did they maybe eat a lot of garlic recently?

Or ramps?

**monkeywrangler71** · 11-01-2010, 04:12 PM

It's not a garlic or onion smell, it is a sour rotting smell. One that makes me both nauseous and alarmed.

**2ndGenGranola** · 11-01-2010, 04:13 PM

I've noticed older people who do not drink enough get a similar odor. I have to stay on an older person in my life about drinking esp when I start smelling the smell. If I don't, we usually end up at the dr.

**Mrs.Mayhem** · 11-01-2010, 04:15 PM

Oh I had a friend who really smelt bad once. I mean it was really gross. It turned out she had an highly infected ingrown toenail. It was soooo bad she had to have the toe nail removed. I hate to say it but it was an infection. That was one nasty smell.

**Ceashels** · 11-01-2010, 04:22 PM

I worked with a woman who had a 'rotting' air about her, sadly it was an internal infection that was noticeable. I've also worked with diabetics who didn't realize they had an open sore or gangrenous wound. You need to find a delicate way of approaching this as it could be something very serious as easily as something fixable.

**YankeeMom** · 11-01-2010, 05:34 PM

My dd gets the NASTIEST smell when she gets strep. It's from the infection in her throat and like to make me barf!

**Josephhgoins** · 11-01-2010, 05:58 PM

My Sis gets a smell when she gets constipated.

I think you need to take someone to the DR.

**ladykemma2** · 11-01-2010, 06:25 PM

Originally Posted by monkeywrangler71

Someone in my house has a terrible smell coming from them. This morning when I got up I felt sick from the smell in the house. I spent the entire morning cleaning and looking for the source. When I picked this person up this afternoon it was clear the smell was coming from them.

It smells like rotting spinach. It is really strong, I can smell it everywhere even after they have only been home for 1/2 an hour. Like a package of spinach that's gone bad.

sometimes teenagers need a reminder to bathe daily and use deodorant. inspect ears, inspect teeth brushing, flossing, inspect for clean clothes.

rotten, stinky shoes might needs to be replaced. nothing can make a stinky shoe smell good again.

**Libby** · 11-01-2010, 07:01 PM

Sounds like you have a good idea of who it is. Regardless if its SO or children, you are the other half or MOM so pull rank and get in there to investigate. I'd rather have this 'issue' discovered by SO or mom vs a stranger and end up horrendously embarrassed. You need to stop the smell for your sake and others but as well b/c they may have a health issue you're not aware of and do not want to get worse.

Could one of your children be starting puberty early?

**MaryCarney** · 11-01-2010, 08:58 PM

Another good idea is to have the offender change out their toothbrush, and brush their tongue several times a day.

**Booklover** · 11-01-2010, 11:09 PM

Any sinus infections lately? Or gum disease? Gum disease can have a putrid smell. There is no mint or mouthwash in the world going to mask that smell.

I hope you are able to get to the bottom of this.

**AnW819** · 11-02-2010, 12:39 AM

I wish I could help!! I dont think the problem is someone needing deodorant or a shower, because she said its a terrible sour spinach smell.

**Syn D** · 11-02-2010, 12:52 AM

Maybe call a local doctor/nurse and explain that you don't want to unnecessarily embarrass this person, so do they have any ideas or does this person need to be seen.. I've done that (different situation) and they told me on the phone what and what to do...

Good Luck!!