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The Daily Insight

Why do I smell like sulfur

Author

Victoria Simmons

Published Apr 17, 2026

It occurs when there’s excess amino acid methionine in your blood. A sulfur-like odor often occurs when the methionine isn’t broken down properly within the body. You may also experience breath or sweat that smells like sulfur.

How do you get rid of sulfur smell?

Chlorine bleach can effectively remove medium to high levels (over 6 mg/l) of hydrogen sulfide. The chlorine in the bleach chemically reacts with (oxi- dizes) the hydrogen sulfide eliminating the “rotten egg” odor. Chlorine bleach also reacts with iron or manganese, and disinfects water supplies.

Why does sulfur smell bad to humans?

Why does Sulfur smell so bad? – Quora. Sulfur itself has a bittersweet smell that is mostly caused by its tendency to form S8 compounds. However, if you are referring to the rotten egg smell, that would be Hydrogen Suflide. HS is created naturally by some types of bacteria that break down organic matter.

Does sulfur water make you smell?

In most US households, though, drinking sulfur water is safe because the concentration of sulfates and hydrogen sulfide is low. With that said, sulfur in water can cause problems with your plumbing, stain your fixtures, and lead to unpleasant odors and tastes.

What do you smell before a stroke?

Although lots of people think smelling something burning is a sign of a stroke, there’s no solid evidence this is true. The idea of smelling phantom burning toast may be kind of amusing — but strokes are serious. They affect approximately 795,000 Americans each year — and around 137,000 of those people die as a result.

Why do I smell sulfur in my house?

Natural gas and propane are odorless, but gas companies inject them with a chemical called mercaptan that gives them a sulfur smell—like rotten eggs—to alert residents to a gas leak. A small gas leak could be creating the occasional foul odor you’re noticing, so don’t take any chances.

Why do my hands smell like onions?

When you have apocrine bromhidrosis, body odor is the byproduct of lipid-rich apocrine gland sweat mixing with skin bacteria. When these two ingredients come together, they produce thioalcohols — compounds that smell like sulfur, onions or raw meat.

Why does my house smell like rotten eggs?

The two most common sources of a rotten egg smell are a natural gas leak, and escaping sewer gas. … That’s why utility companies inject a substance called mercaptan, which emits an odor that smells like sulfur or rotten eggs. If there’s a very strong smell, you could have a substantial natural gas leak.

Why do I smell rotten eggs in my nose?

Bacteria can become trapped in a cavity, caused by tooth decay or gingivitis. This reaction releases gases such as sulfur, which many report to smell like rotten eggs. Foul-smelling odors can travel through the small holes in the back of the mouth that connect to the sinuses, causing a bad smell in the nose.

How do I get the sulfur smell out of my house?

Baking soda is well known for erasing odours. And the best thing is that it’s very easy to use and efficient too. If the smell is coming from your clothes then, soak them in baking soda before washing. You can also sprinkle baking soda in all the corners of your house to get rid of the sulphur scent.

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Is it OK to shower in water that smells like sulfur?

A rotten egg odor is a sign that the sulfur levels in your water may be too high. … It’s understandable if you don’t want to drink or bathe in foul-smelling water, nor should you have to. Good, clean water is free of taste or odors and doesn’t pose any risks to your health.

Is sulfur bad for you to inhale?

Sulfur dioxide is severely irritating to the eyes, mucous membranes, skin, and respiratory tract. Bronchospasm, pulmonary edema, pneumonitis, and acute airway obstruction can occur. Inhalation exposure to very low concentrations of sulfur dioxide can aggravate chronic pulmonary diseases, such as asthma and emphysema.

Is sulfur toxic to humans?

Potential Health Effects: Sulphur is relatively non-toxic to humans, causing only mild local irritation to the eyes, nose, throat and upper airways. However, under certain circumstances it may release toxic hydrogen sulphide and/or sulphur dioxide gas.

What does sulfur smell like?

If you haven’t smelled sulfur, it’s hard to describe how awful it is. Most who have, describe it as smelling like rotten eggs.

Why do I smell odors that aren't there?

An olfactory hallucination (phantosmia) makes you detect smells that aren’t really present in your environment. The odors detected in phantosmia vary from person to person and may be foul or pleasant. They can occur in one or both nostrils. The phantom smell may seem to always be present or it may come and go.

Why do I smell smoke in my nose?

The term for this type of olfactory hallucination is dysosmia. Common causes of dysosmia are head and nose injury, viral damage to the smell system after a bad cold, chronic recurrent sinus infections and allergy, and nasal polyps and tumors. The brain is usually not the source.

What do you smell before a seizure?

Seizures beginning in the temporal lobes may remain there, or they may spread to other areas of the brain. Depending on if and where the seizure spreads, the patient may experience the sensation of: A peculiar smell (such as burning rubber) Strong emotions (such as fear)

Why does my boyfriend smell like cheese?

It turns out that when this sulfur compound is mixed with bacteria under the arm, it creates a chemical called thiol — and this chemical is known for smelling like onions. Men on the other hand, had increased levels of an odorless fatty acid, which gives off a cheesy smell once it mixes with the armpit bacteria.

Why does one of my armpits smell more than the other?

If you are right-handed like most of the world, you will use that arm more and produce sweat that leads to molecules that release Organosulfur compounds called Thioalcohols which contain pungent odor. Therefore, your right armpit will smell more than your left.

Why does my right armpit smell more?

You may have one armpit that just produces sweat a little more than the other. This is totally normal and there is an easy fix. It’s super easy to remedy either of these issues. First, make sure you’re applying your deodorant on dry, clean skin every day.

Why do I smell sulfur in my bathroom?

A clogged drain or toilet can create a rotten smell in your bathroom as well. … If you notice a rotten egg smell, call a plumber to locate and eliminate the source. Being exposed to bacteria from contaminated water and potentially dangerous sewer gas is a problem best left to professionals.

What is that weird smell in my house?

A musty or dusty smell is often a sign of mold or mildew, especially in humid or moisture-prone environments like the basement, laundry room, kitchen, or bathroom. Mold and mildew can create severe respiratory problems and can exacerbate allergies and asthma in sensitive individuals.

How do I get my taste and smell back?

Powerfully aromatic and flavorful foods like ginger, peppermint and peanut butter can help you get your sense of smell and taste back. So can strongly-scented essential oils. Cooks and people who love to eat can’t bear to live without their senses of taste and smell.

Can anxiety make you smell things?

New research shows how anxiety or stress can rewire the brain, linking centers of emotion and olfactory processing, to make typically benign smells malodorous.

Why does everything smell bad to me suddenly?

Have you noticed that familiar things suddenly smell unpleasant? It could be parosmia, a disorder in which the odors of certain things — or, in some cases, everything — are distorted.

Why do I smell sulfur in my apartment?

The two most common sources for rotten egg smell in the home are electrical components (inside of outlets for example) or a natural gas leak. Natural gas manufacturers are required to add a chemical, called mercaptan, to their gas in order to make it easier to detect a leak.

How do I get my water to stop smelling like rotten eggs?

Shock your well with chlorine bleach or hydrogen peroxide to get temporary relief from sulfur odors. Often keeps odors away for 1 – 2 months. 2. Chlorinator: Install a chlorine injector system (chlorinator) on your wellhead for continuous injection of chlorine when the water is running.

How do I get the sulfur smell out of my shower?

Additionally, a few lemon wedges can help reduce or eliminate the smell. In your bathroom, you can clear a clog several ways, including pouring a half-cup of baking soda into the drain, then a cup of vinegar, and flushing with hot water. If that doesn’t work, you may need to call a professional.

Can sulfur bacteria make you sick?

Many people use quality water softeners and filter systems to eliminate other contaminants, but sulfur can be particularly sticky and problematic for well owners to address. At high levels, it can be bad for your health and may even cause serious illness.

What are the side effects of sulfur?

  • severe burning, redness, or swelling where the medicine was applied;
  • severe dryness or peeling of treated skin; or.
  • new or worsening skin symptoms.

Is sulfur good for lungs?

Sulfur dioxide causes a range of harmful effects on the lungs, as the EPA’s most recent review of the science concluded: Wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness and other problems, especially during exercise or physical activity.