04 February 2024 , 16:00
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A doctor is warning that people who find themselves smelling more than normal may have an underlining health issue.
Most of us experience some form of body odour day-to-day, from morning breath to smelly underarms from being at work all day, looking after children, doing exercise, running errands and more. While it is perfectly normal to experience this, people should be wary that some smells that persist may need medical attention.
Dr Jen Caudle - a US-based family doctor and TV health expert - warns that there are four odours that you should never ignore. The medical professor often shares her top health tips on her TikTok page @drjencaudle, which rakes in millions of watchers.
Jen warns if you have a wound or cut that smells peculiar, it could be a warning sign of an infection. "You've got to see your doctor," she said.
Foul smelling urine
Jen warns that foul smelling urine could be a sign of an urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs affect your urinary tract, including your bladder (cystitis), urethra (urethritis) or kidneys (kidney infection). Dr Caudle said: "This goes for men or women. If your urine smells funny, get it checked out."
New symptoms you must have before GP can say you have UTI and give antibiotics
The NHS advises people should see a doctor when they need to pee more often than usual suddenly, have pain or a burning sensation when peeing, or notice their urine looks cloudy.
The NHS states: "If you have other symptoms such as pain when peeing, peeing more often than usual and pee that looks cloudy, you may have a urinary tract infection (UTI). Less often, smelly pee can be caused by other conditions such as type 2 diabetes or kidney stones."
Some health experts describe the smell like ammonia, and other symptoms may accompany this, such as a pain or a burning sensation when peeing, needing to pee more often than usual, or pee that looks cloudy.
Fishy odour from vagina
Jen is warning women to be wary of their vaginal health. She explained: "If you have a fishy odour down there, you do not and should not ignore it because you could have bacterial vaginosis. This is an overgrowth of the bad bacteria. Good and bad bacteria, they sort of hang out, but bad bacteria can overtake things and cause the infection that needs to be treated and can be treated."
The NHS said: "If your discharge changes – for example, in smell, colour or texture – it might be a sign of an infection. But do not self-diagnose – see a GP if you're worried."
Bad breath
Jen is warning people that bad breath could indicate a number of issues. If a foul mouth smell is present even after brushing, it is time to get a check-up.
Jen said: "We wonder if someone's got poor oral hygiene, but the truth of the matter is bad breath that doesn't go away may actually be caused by other things - acid reflux or chronic sinus infections, or dry mouth, not making enough saliva, certain medications, or other conditions."