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Respiratory Disorders (Expert Forum)
Smelly Sneeze
Answered by
This forum is for questions and support regarding lung and respiratory issues such as: Allergies, Asthma, Bronchitis, Colds - Flu, Chronic Cough, COPD, Cystic Fibrosis, Emphysema, Fibrosis, Lung Abscess, Nasal Polyps, Pleurisy, Pneumonia, Sarcoidosis, Sinusitis, Tuberculosis.
Smelly Sneeze
by Smelly Sneeze, May 13, 2004 12:00AM
I recently had a double root canal done and also had an abcess (abscess) on my gum. I was treated with antibiotics for the abcess (abscess) which appears to have gone away, although I still feel a slight bump on my gum. I have also had a history of blocked sinuses on the right side of my face. Whenever I take an antibiotic, I notice when I sneeze there is no odor. Once I have been off the antibiotics, it gradually comes back. The odor is almost a sweet sort of smell that may linger or quickly go away. My mouth does not have a bad taste anymore and I was wondering if this is related to a possible sinusitis or sinus infection? Have you heard of this before and what do I do?
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish, May 17, 2004 12:00AM
, May 17, 2004 12:00AM
Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes that line the sinus cavities. Inflammation of the sinuses could be due to an allergy, an infection, or ongoing exposure to an irritant, such as pollution or smoke. Symptoms can include a headache or pressure in the area of the sinuses, a stuffy nose, achy teeth, an odor coming from the nose, postnasal drip, cough, sore throat, and thick, yellow to green nasal drainage. The best way to identify a sinus infection is with a sinus CT scan, although sinus x-rays are a decent alternative. A sinus CT scan will also identify if any of the openings that drain your sinuses are blocked. If this odor is due to sinusitis, it will last as long as the inflammation continues.
The most common cause of sinusitis is an infection, especially when the mucus is green. Sinus infections can be difficult to treat since they respond slowly. When any of the openings that drain your sinuses are blocked it will take longer to clear a sinus infection. If a viral infection is the cause it’s a matter of time until the sinusitis clears on its own. When a bacterial infection is the cause you may need to take an antibiotic for at least 3 weeks. Even after an antibiotic clears the infection, it is possible for the inflammation to linger. However, inflammation of the sinuses could also be due to an allergy or ongoing exposure to an irritant, such as pollution or smoke. This inflammation can block sinus drainage and increase mucus production. The mucus may “sit” there, especially when it is thick, and really smell bad. This can fester sinusitis.
The fat content in dairy products can thicken mucus. Generally eating dairy products with less fat content is helpful. Drinking plenty of water will help to thin the mucus so that it moves more easily. As long as you are not on a fluid restriction you should be drinking 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses of non-caffeine non-alcoholic fluid daily.
An antihistamine can dry up the postnasal drip. However, it may make the mucus thicker and more difficult to move. Often a prescription antihistamine is taken only when the postnasal drip gets bad. It may be more helpful to take the antihistamine on a regular basis. A decongestant like Sudafed® (pseudoephedrine) can thin the postnasal drip and relieve your blocked sinuses by decreasing the swelling so they drain better. Often a prescription antihistamine and decongestant are taken only when the postnasal drip gets bad. It may be more helpful to take the antihistamine and decongestant on a regular basis. Check with your doctor to see if either of these would help you more.
A nasal wash can remove mucus and germs from the nose and sinuses. This can temporarily clear the odor and help your sinuses to drain better. Please read our Nasal Wash MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/nasal.html for more information about this technique. Share this information with your doctor to see if you would benefit from this daily treatment.
If the odor continues, your doctor may recommend a prescription nasal steroid spray. This can decrease mucus production and improve sinus drainage by decreasing the inflammation in the nose and openings that drain the sinuses. This generally provides a more lasting decrease in sinus pressure and improves sinus drainage. To get the most help from a nasal steroid spray use it after doing a nasal wash. A nasal steroid spray does not provide immediate relief of symptoms. It may take several weeks of routine use to become effective.
Your sinuses may well be the source of this odor. However this could be related to the gum abscess since you note that you “still feel a slight bump on your gum”. You will need to see your doctor to learn why this odor is reoccurring. Only then can the best treatment be determined to help you. Please read our Sinusitis MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/sinus.html for further information. An ENT would be the type of specialist to identify if sinusitis is causing the odor and the best treatment.
The most common cause of sinusitis is an infection, especially when the mucus is green. Sinus infections can be difficult to treat since they respond slowly. When any of the openings that drain your sinuses are blocked it will take longer to clear a sinus infection. If a viral infection is the cause it’s a matter of time until the sinusitis clears on its own. When a bacterial infection is the cause you may need to take an antibiotic for at least 3 weeks. Even after an antibiotic clears the infection, it is possible for the inflammation to linger. However, inflammation of the sinuses could also be due to an allergy or ongoing exposure to an irritant, such as pollution or smoke. This inflammation can block sinus drainage and increase mucus production. The mucus may “sit” there, especially when it is thick, and really smell bad. This can fester sinusitis.
The fat content in dairy products can thicken mucus. Generally eating dairy products with less fat content is helpful. Drinking plenty of water will help to thin the mucus so that it moves more easily. As long as you are not on a fluid restriction you should be drinking 6 to 8 8-ounce glasses of non-caffeine non-alcoholic fluid daily.
An antihistamine can dry up the postnasal drip. However, it may make the mucus thicker and more difficult to move. Often a prescription antihistamine is taken only when the postnasal drip gets bad. It may be more helpful to take the antihistamine on a regular basis. A decongestant like Sudafed® (pseudoephedrine) can thin the postnasal drip and relieve your blocked sinuses by decreasing the swelling so they drain better. Often a prescription antihistamine and decongestant are taken only when the postnasal drip gets bad. It may be more helpful to take the antihistamine and decongestant on a regular basis. Check with your doctor to see if either of these would help you more.
A nasal wash can remove mucus and germs from the nose and sinuses. This can temporarily clear the odor and help your sinuses to drain better. Please read our Nasal Wash MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/nasal.html for more information about this technique. Share this information with your doctor to see if you would benefit from this daily treatment.
If the odor continues, your doctor may recommend a prescription nasal steroid spray. This can decrease mucus production and improve sinus drainage by decreasing the inflammation in the nose and openings that drain the sinuses. This generally provides a more lasting decrease in sinus pressure and improves sinus drainage. To get the most help from a nasal steroid spray use it after doing a nasal wash. A nasal steroid spray does not provide immediate relief of symptoms. It may take several weeks of routine use to become effective.
Your sinuses may well be the source of this odor. However this could be related to the gum abscess since you note that you “still feel a slight bump on your gum”. You will need to see your doctor to learn why this odor is reoccurring. Only then can the best treatment be determined to help you. Please read our Sinusitis MedFact at http://www.nationaljewish.org/medfacts/sinus.html for further information. An ENT would be the type of specialist to identify if sinusitis is causing the odor and the best treatment.
Member Comments (3)
by ozark, May 16, 2004 12:00AM
i would ask your ent dr if you could possibly have pseudomonas....this usually thrives in moist environments and has a sweet odor to it...do you have any nasal drainage when you have this smell?
by Smelly Sneeze, May 18, 2004 12:00AM
I have alot of drainage in the mornings, but not typical throughout the day. I will definitely see my ENT about this issue... Thanks for the information!
