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Original poster

My 4 year old has been drinking a lot of water and his mouth smells like acid like a battery acid what could this be?

290 replies

alpop · 13/11/2024 13:09

The past two days I've really noticed how much water (with a tiny bit dilution juice) he is drinking. He's asking me a lot for more. He will down it then ask for another one

His mouth smells like an acidic smell like battery acid. I have no better way of explaining it. It's smelt like that since yesterday. His older sisters have noticed it too and said he smells weird

He's well otherwise. He was running a lot today and has been at his nursery.

He's maybe eating slightly more. But he's completely well other wise

Diabetes runs in my family. My brother is type 1 and was really unwell at 5 years old. My mum didn't notice anything until he was passing out then admitted to hospital.

Does anyone have any ideas??

OP posts:
boulevardofbrokendreamss · 13/11/2024 14:52

You must know it could be his eyes. Go to an and e. Now. DKA can be fatal. To put it bluntly.

Antsinmypantsneedtodance · 13/11/2024 14:52

Another vote for A & E here. Most do a triage system so can do a finger prick quickly and easily, then action if appropriate.

Having worked with type 1's for years. I've seen little ones go from healthy with a few minor complaints a GP brushed off to in a PICU bed within 48hrs. So get him seen ASAP. Also insist the GP does a finger prick. Many are reluctant to in little kids, when they should be doing them.

Personally wouldn't risk it if it was my child.

fearfulworrier · 13/11/2024 14:44

Agree sounds like diabetes. Best of luck hopefully you get some answers.

Irridescantshimmmer · 13/11/2024 14:40

Unquenchable thirst is a warning sign of T1 diabates, which I also developed as a child many years ago

Don't ket these symptoms persist, call 111 right away or take your child to A&E right away BEFORE vomiting happens.

Your childs: symptoms must be treated as an emergency.

Notchangingnameagain · 13/11/2024 14:38

This has got to be a wind up.

InconsideratelyThoughtful · 13/11/2024 14:38

EdgyDreamer · 13/11/2024 13:17

I'd ring GP - (and possible dentist and not great for teeth).

Try milk as well rather than just water in case it's acid reflux - but get an appointment today with someone - and if GP no use try 111 or local pharmacists.

Please don't give him milk just now, it will only add to the sugars that his body can't deal with.

Youcantcallacatspider · 13/11/2024 14:31

OP I'm a GP and I think go with either ED or GP if he's fairly well. If it is diabetes he likely will be admitted to hospital. However, no GP in their right mind would see a child with this history and not check his blood glucose and ketones. If neither of these are raised it isn't diabetes. Good luck x

Mirabai · 13/11/2024 14:24

Good luck OP let us know how it goes.

Ilikeadrink14 · 13/11/2024 14:24

Pusheen467 · 13/11/2024 13:48

Yep when I was diagnosedbwith T1 at my GP surgeryI had to go straight to hospital where I stayed for a week.

Show quote history

Exactly the same thing happened to my grandson. Drinking loads, breath smells etc. Was taken to hospital and kept in while they dealt with it and adjusted an insulin dosage until it was right for him. It is something he will have for life but he has adapted to it even though it was a terrible shock at first. He works abroad now, diabetes hasn’t held him back at all, even though he was only 11 when he was diagnosed. The secret is to be scrupulous about doing your our injections when you should, and not just ‘whenever’! It is a manageable illness.

Endofmytether2020 · 13/11/2024 14:23

mikeyboo · 13/11/2024 13:18

A&E is more appropriate than the GP for a child at risk of DKA unless the GP can see you very very soon - if it is diabetes you’ll be sent to hospital anyway.

This

Emmacb82 · 13/11/2024 14:22

Please don’t go to the GP and go straight to a+e. So many GP’s don’t diagnose diabetes as they should do and insist on doing a fasting blood test. All you need is a finger prick test and a urine. I’ve seen so many children go undiagnosed for days whilst doctors mess about waiting for tests. Please go to the hospital and get his sorted straight away.

boobleblingo · 13/11/2024 14:21

Surely all the GP will do is to say go to A&E? Why delay?

justasking111 · 13/11/2024 14:20

alpop · 13/11/2024 13:23

I've gotten an appointment this afternoon for him

I'm so pleased. It's terrifying when it's small children.

BunnyLake · 13/11/2024 14:19

I have no family history of diabetes but immediately thought this. Why on earth you need to waste time coming on here asking for advice instead of using your common sense is anyone’s guess. Are people really so unable to think for themselves nowadays?

Anyway, all the best for him and get him to A&E.

Loub1987 · 13/11/2024 14:19

Go to A&E, DKA is serious. Im a T1, and had serious health complications due to it.

HousedInMySoul · 13/11/2024 14:16

Go to A&E straight away

Don't waste time going to the GP.

As you probably know, this could develop into a lfe-threatening condition called Diabetic keto-acidosis

ElaborateCushion · 13/11/2024 14:16

You can get service dogs that can pick up on the smell of blood sugar drops or spikes in diabetic people from up to a mile away. If you, as a human, can pick up on a smell change in him, it really is very serious. It is called Diabetic Ketoacidosis.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetic-ketoacidosis/

There is a big warning in the middle of the page - call 999 or go to A&E if you do not know your ketone levels but have symptons of DKA such as feeling thirsty or needing to pee more often, feeling sleepy or confused, and breath that smells fruity (like pear drop sweets or nail polish remover).

Diabetic ketoacidosis can be life threatening so it's important to get treatment quickly.

nhs.uk

Diabetic ketoacidosis

Find out about diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), including what the symptoms are, when to get medical help and how to prevent it.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/diabetic-ketoacidosis

coxesorangepippin · 13/11/2024 14:16

How on earth have we got to this point?

Diabetes runs in the family.
Child is desperately thirsty.

🤔

I'll post on MN to get a clue??

Wtf

HiEarthlings · 13/11/2024 14:13

You have diabetes in the family. Your son is showing what could be the early symptoms of diabetes. But you're on Mumsnet asking what you should do? Really??

CurtisLemansky · 13/11/2024 14:10

This happened to us, GP dismissed it as nothing to worry about, but I knew something was wrong (didn't know much about type 1 at the time but DS was also losing weight!). I took him to A&E and he was in the high dependency bed with DKA within an hour, type 1 diagnosis. As others have said, please don't wait for the GP appointment, go to A&E now!

loropianalover · 13/11/2024 14:08

‘Does anyone have any ideas??’ gee let us think. How about the diabetes that runs in your family?

MrsSkylerWhite · 13/11/2024 14:06

Agree, diabetes, you need to have him tested ASAP.

HappyTwo · 13/11/2024 14:02

Neurodiversitydoctor · 13/11/2024 13:10

I am concerned this is diabetes. You need to contact your GP.

this

IceCreamCookies · 13/11/2024 13:59

You have a family history of diabetes you should be taking him to a and e ffs.
Honestly what the heck.. Don't post on mumsnet for potentially life threatening illness!
He needs bloods taken ASAP.

ElphabaFlies · 13/11/2024 13:57

T1 with a T1 child here. Don't bother with the GP, straight to A&E. Too many GPs don't do the right tests promptly enough.