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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:
Alicecatto · 14/11/2024 19:13

Tooth decay can also cause stink. Does not explain the thirst however.

Frith2013 · 14/11/2024 19:11

Why don't people read updates?

Bimblesalong · 14/11/2024 19:05

People in pre diabetes honeymoon phase can have normal blood sugars. It happened with my son over the six months he was rumbling before the acute phase.

I hope it isn’t and there’s another less concerning underlying reason but wanted to reiterate this.

Peopleinmyphone · 14/11/2024 19:00

If the GP is ruling out diabetes or a throat infection at this point I'd maybe take him to the dentist. Hope you get to the bottom of it op.

ScaryM0nster · 14/11/2024 18:57

His mouth smells?

or his nose smells.

stuff stuck up noses can begin to stink.

EffortlesslyInelegant · 14/11/2024 18:55

Toptops · 14/11/2024 18:13

Not sure why you're asking a bunch of mumnetters when you should be taking him to the doc/a&e?

She's been to the GP and your comment is just snark for the sake of it. Behave yourself.

greengreyblue · 14/11/2024 18:33

HE HAS BEEN ! BLOOD SUGAR NORMAL!

Mumofthreeteenagers · 14/11/2024 18:31

Has he eaten one of those flat battery's?

Currantbun73 · 14/11/2024 18:24

Please, don't wait for the GP, take him to A&E now.
All of this is signs of diabetes, as you have said, and he needs seeing ASAP.

BooBooDoodle · 14/11/2024 18:23

Diabetes, get him tested by your GP xx

VimtoVimto · 14/11/2024 18:16

The child was seen by the doctor yesterday. Read the OPs updates

NoDought · 14/11/2024 18:15

Please don’t ask medical questions on mumsnet, please see GP or call 111. Contrary to popular belief Doctors don’t mind if your symptoms aren’t anything serious, in fact quite the opposite. The symptoms he is displaying are not the norm and with a family history that is plenty to justify seeking advice from GP. Please don’t wait till he collapses like your sibling.

Toptops · 14/11/2024 18:13

Not sure why you're asking a bunch of mumnetters when you should be taking him to the doc/a&e?

Newoxonbird · 14/11/2024 18:12

Type 1 diabetes.
Very dangerous.
Get to GP don't delay.

MixedCouple2 · 14/11/2024 18:09

GP take a pot of his pee for them to test. First morning pee.

Have you noticed ouders in his urine or colour? Weeing more at night etc.

MustWeDoThis · 14/11/2024 18:01

alpop · 13/11/2024 22:03

@Bimblesalong he hasn't lost any weight and he isn't grouchy. The only thing is him being more tired than usual but with his nursery he can get like that. He is needing an hour or so more sleep than usual

To be honest, and I really don't mean to panic you; I wouldn't wait for a full blood test. I would be down A&E to get a full blood test, where they will be on it! This is where I ended up when I was first diagnosed and in DKA. A&E will understand. Just walk in and tell them your concerns, let them smell him and see what happens. It's probably a bit of a Nail Polish smell? And maybe pear drops smell?

I really am keeping my fingers crossed for him because I can't imagine how worried you are. Take some time for your own mental wellbeing, too. Sooner he's in A&E, the better for you both.

x2boys · 14/11/2024 17:59

MustWeDoThis · 14/11/2024 17:56

Yes! Yes they do. Like I said in my post- "If you've taken him already- Fantastic!"

As a diabetic, I will always be more concerned about putting my experiences across when I read something which makes me instantly panic, rather than read several pages first.

Show quote history

My son nearly died from DKA two year ,s ago so do have insight it was terrifying ,but this thread was strted more then 24 hours and the Op updated lat night at least read the Op,s posts

iwishiwasonacruise · 14/11/2024 17:56

When of my cousins was little she suddenly had a terrible mouth smell. Went on for weeks until (I believe) they X-rayed her and it turned out she had wedged some kind of craft bead up her nose and it was blocking the sinuses or something, hence the smell. It was removed in a&e, very gunky, then the smell was gone! Not to alarm you but maybe ask him if he's put anything up his nose?

MustWeDoThis · 14/11/2024 17:56

x2boys · 14/11/2024 17:46

People need to rtft

Yes! Yes they do. Like I said in my post- "If you've taken him already- Fantastic!"

As a diabetic, I will always be more concerned about putting my experiences across when I read something which makes me instantly panic, rather than read several pages first.

Skyelils · 14/11/2024 17:51

I’m type 1 diabetic . Take him to the doctor they are definitely alarm bells

x2boys · 14/11/2024 17:46

People need to rtft

MustWeDoThis · 14/11/2024 17:45

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??

Take him to A&E, ASAP - I am diabetic and the smell is also like a nail polish smell which is a massive sign of DKA - Diabetic Ketoacidosis. Please, I beg you to take him to a hospital immediately. If you already have- Fantastic! I hope it's not diabetes, but the smell comes from the stomach when there are ketones in the blood.

HappyMe6 · 14/11/2024 17:45

Don’t understand y you wouldn’t get medical treatment straight away you know the symptoms we had three ppl in our family with it both type 1 and the other type 2 very serious condition if it was me I’d have gone to drs straight away he’s very young go asap

Alwaysoneoddsock · 14/11/2024 09:48

I haven’t been able to read the full thread so forgive me if this has been mentioned. Wasn’t there a thread on here where the child had something up his nose and the stuck object was causing a smell? It’s not something like that is it OP?

CrazyCatLady008 · 14/11/2024 08:55

Did they test ketones in the urine sample
My type one can have HUGE ketones and be at 4.1mmol it doesn't always cause high blood sugars.