Orin and sweat with the smell of fish: why it occurs and how to treat it

Trimethylaminuria is a rare syndrome characterized by a strong odor similar to fish in bodily secretions, such as urine, sweat, saliva and vaginal secretions, a situation that causes much discomfort and discomfort.

Due to strong odor, the people who have the syndrome tend to bathe more frequently, change intimate clothing several times a day or use very strong perfumes, which always help to improve the odor.

In these cases, it is recommended to control the syndrome through the diet, avoiding the foods that originate the trimethylamine substance, such as fish and egg yolks, for example.

Why does this syndrome occur?

This syndrome is mainly caused by a genetic change, which causes a deficiency of a compound in the organism responsible for degrading trimethylamine, as this substance accumulates in the organism and is exhaled by the body as it is a substance that evaporates. Trimethylamine is found mainly in fish, shellfish, liver, stews and egg yolks.

Similarly, this situation could also be caused as a secondary effect by the ingestion of drugs that cause the accumulation of trimethylamine, some of them are tamoxifen, ketoconazole, sulindac, benzydamine and rosuvastatin, for example.

Main symptoms of the syndrome

The only symptom related to this syndrome is the smell of rotten fish that is exhaled from the body, mainly through bodily secretions such as sweating, alienation, urination, sneezing air and vaginal secretions, for example. The symptoms can appear even in childhood, when the baby stops being breastfed and goes on to a normal diet, it can get worse during adolescence, especially during menstruation, asimism, can worsen with the use of contraceptives.

Generally, when you have this syndrome, you need to take several baths throughout the day, change your clothes constantly and even avoid socializing with other people. This occurs because of the vergüenza that occurs when the odor is perceived and commented on, for example, which can also favor the development of psychological problems, such as anxiety and depression.

How to confirm the diagnosis

The diagnosis of fish odor syndrome is carried out by means of the blood test, scraping of the oral mucosa or the urine test, with the purpose of verifying the concentration of the substance responsible for the unpleasant odor, the trimethylamine.

How is the treatment done?

This syndrome is not cured and its treatment is carried out to control and reduce the bad odor through the reduction of the consumption of foods that increase this symptom, such as children rich in the nutrient choline, such as fish, seafood, meat, liver, stews , soy, nuts, huevo yema, repollo, coliflor, coles de Bruselas and broccoli. See the cant of hill in the food.

However, it is important to remember that women who are embarrassed should not restrict these foods in their diet, as some fish, for example, are important for the development of the baby’s nervous system, and it is important to consume them during pregnancy even when there is an increase in them. smells.

In addition, antibiotics can also be used to control the intestinal flora, one of those responsible for the smell of fish. Other tips to neutralize the odor are to use soaps with pH 5.5 and 6.5, goat milk soap, skin creams with a pH around 5.0, wash clothes frequently and take activated vegetable carbon tablets, according to medical recommendations. To reduce the odor, also see how to treat the odor of sweating.