What Does a Bad Smell in the Nose Indicate?

Foul smell on breathing through the nose indicates a variety of underlying causes that vary from easy infection to fatal diseases. If you notice bad smell in nose while breathing when no one else does, then most likely it implies that there is some reason in your sense of smell, nasal passages, or sinuses. The smell can be musty, rotten, metallic, or sewery in nature. Discovering what the cause of such smells is step one in achieving successful bad smell in nose treatment.

Common Causes of Bad Smell in Nose

There are different causes of foul smell in nose. Bad smell in nose sinus infection is also most prevalent. When sinuses become infected and inflamed, bacteria multiply on mucus trapped in sinuses and form malodorous discharge. Chronic sinusitis may lead to persistent bad smell in nose that will never stop unless treated.

Smell in nose or pungent odor in nose bad smell in nose after cold is also frequent since respiratory infection deposits mucus on which bacteria will thrive. Cough due to cold can cause post-nasal drip, causing pungent odor in throat and nose simultaneously, with astringent odor and taste sensation.

Bad smell in nose allergies are a product of allergens, which trigger inflammation and excess mucus production. Older mucus provides bacteria with ideal space for formation of bad odors. Bad smell in nose mucus is usually indicative of bacterial infection or growth in the nasal tract.

Bad smell in nose COVID has been described as a symptom or post-covid feature of coronavirus disease. Dysfunction of familiar odors and foul taste, i.e., parosmia, or phantosmia, identification of odors in the absence of smell, can be observed in certain patients. These disorders of smell persist beyond resolution of other COVID symptoms.

The other causes are:

  • Nasal polyps, benign tumors which trap mucus and bacteria
  • Foreign bodies inserted into the nose, usually in children
  • Dental infection spreading to sinuses
  • Drying of nasal passage with crusting
  • Smoking and environmental pollutants
  • Certain drugs affecting the perception of smell
  • Disease of olfactory nerve

Symptoms That May Accompany the Smell

The offensive smell tends to accompany some of the other explanatory symptoms. Stuffy nose and bad smell in nose and bad breath tend to occur together as infections or postnasal drip in nasal passages and pharynx. Colored thick nasal secretion, stuffy nose that is difficult to breathe, and facial pressure or pain near the sinuses are what you can suffer from.

Bad smell in nose and dizziness can precede a more complicated sinus infection of the inner ear or neurologic component. Headache over the cheeks and forehead is common in sinus infections. Other symptoms include:

  • Loss of taste or smell
  • Cough particularly nocturnal, secondary to postnasal drip
  • Fatigue from the battle with the infection
  • Fever in bacterial infection
  • Toothache with sinus infection in the upper roots of the teeth
Bad smell in nose and throat issues can occur simultaneously due to post-nasal drip affecting both areas.


Home Remedies and Self-Care Tips

It starts with simple home remedies to understand how to get rid of bad smell in nose always. Saline nasal irrigation flushes the nose of bacteria, mucus, and dirt. Rinse 2-3 times a day with saline spray or neti pot. Steam inhalation unblocks the nasal congestion and loosens mucus—breathe over hot showers or boiling water.

Hydration makes mucus thin so that it will flow more easily and also prevents bacteria from growing. Dry air is humidified with the help of a humidifier to prevent nose dryness. It can be made antimicrobial by infusing essential oils like eucalyptus or peppermint into steam.

Additional self-care tips:

  • Practice good oral hygiene because nasal smell can be a sign of dental issues
  • Avoid irritants like cigarette smoke, perfumes, and chemical vapors
  • Apply warm compresses on your face to relieve sinus pressure
  • Utilize over-the-counter decongestants for a short period but do not use nasal sprays for longer than 3 days

Medical Treatments

If home treatments do not cure the condition, medical intervention may be necessary. Bad smell in nose ENT specialist can perform the complete assessment and treatment. Bacterial sinus infection is cured with antibiotics, which are prescribed for 10-14 days in most cases. Corticosteroid nasal sprays reduce swelling and permit drainage, a great choice for chronic sinusitis or allergy.

Sinus infections due to fungus are treated with antifungal medications, which are less common but more long-lasting. Antihistamines, in the event of allergy, eliminate allergy by inhibiting mucus production and swelling. Surgery to correct a deviated septum or polyps, to enhance drainage and airflow, may be required.

Additional medical treatments include:

  • Saline irrigation on medical prescription is better than using over-the-counter bought medicines
  • Scans like CT scan or MRI are helpful in finding the cause when neurological causes are a possibility
  • Smell training therapy to relearn smell is helpful for some and helpful with post-viral distortions of smell

When to See a Doctor?

Although most of them are treated at home, a few require specialized medical care. Consult an ENT doctor if you've foul smell in nose for over two weeks despite home treatment. Sudden and severe symptoms such as high fever, blinding headache or facial swelling, change in vision, or confusion require urgent visits to the doctors.

Visit a physician in the event of:

  • Recurring sinusitis, four or more episodes in a year, as it is a sign of chronic sinusitis to be treated
  • Discharge of yellow or blood from nostrils signifies infection and should be treated with antibiotics
  • Worsening of symptoms despite medication or in the case of a disease like diabetes or impaired immunity
  • Foreign body suspected in the child's nose should be removed by a physician on an emergent basis

Conclusion

Nasal bad smell, while pesky, is frequently curable once the etiology has been identified. Diagnoses are what bring relief. Saline washes, intravenous fluids, and steam inhalation are simple home remedies for transient disturbances, while long-standing and complex diseases enjoy the guidance of a physician's counsel. Do not hesitate to go to an ENT specialist if the symptoms are worsening or do not improve. By proper care and management, you can eliminate the foul odor and return to normal, easy breathing.

Please book an appointment with the best ENT Specialist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the verified doctor for your disease.