The "smell" of illness?

[Lifegavemelemons]

OK, so this is a sensitive one.

I have an elderly friend (80's) who comes to visit maybe 6 times a year (pre-covid) she's lovely and has been very good to me over the years. She has had a lot of illness over the last few years, including cancer, but has responded well to treatment. She has come to me for a week+ at a time when her family have been away as they don't like her to be alone with no support. Her mobility is not good, but we go out and about to Xmas markets and have a lot of afternoon teas and meals out when she comes. I live in a scenic part of the country so lots of drives out. I generally put on a few pounds each visit 🤣. Love seeing her.

She's with me for a couple of weeks ATM and I am struggling a lot with her smell. Something is VERY different. The smell is strong and not at all pleasant. I know her clothes are clean as we've done a couple of clothes washes while she's been here - and she showers daily, so it's not that. The room she is in smells very strong and I will have to do a thorough fumigate when she goes. I'm really not exaggerating - I have dogs and cats so my house is not all "linen and lavender" smelling by any means.

I haven't said anything, and won't, but have done some serious googling - and yes, humans can smell sickness. Not as well as dogs, naturally, but it is a thing, and unconnected with hygiene.

Anyone had experience of this? I assume it could mean a deterioration in her health? Ironically she has seemed a lot more mobile this time round and has not been falling asleep as randomly as on previous visits.

My Mum and 2 Sisters developed a strong sweet musty smell before they were diagnosed with cancer.

Lung cancer smells mousey.

Does she have any leg wounds - leg ulcers have a very definite smell about them.

no open wounds no - though her initial BC surgery wound took a long time to heal, not this smell then though.

So interesting that cancer has a definite smell - and menopause! I wonder if I used to smell cheesy????

More likely meds I would think.
They can certainly make you smell.

I worked with a woman who was having chemo, it made her smell. I can’t really describe the smell but it was strong and nothing could disguise it.

I can smell the changes when my DDs are I’ll, especially if it’s an infection.

I think the medications people take also contribute to the smell.

My sil can smell illness. I had never heard of it until i met her.

@User198724 a heavy smell like the old just musk. It's not offensive

I have always been able to smell when my DC we’re coming down with something.

It has been a real concern I have with the rapid movement to telephone and online medical appointments. I think we really downplay the importance of using our sense of smell.

I have regularly smelt a musky smell on certain people, particularly where they've slept in a room and it hangs about. I don't think it's illness as such as these have been reasonably fit people, and it comes and goes, but I definitely think it's an overall health of the body thing, something is off. Not sure what, PH levels, gut bacteria, something along these lines.

It's the sort of smell that oozes out of someone, regardless of showering/tooth brushing etc. Can well imagine hormonal shifts like the menopause would be one of many things that may contribute to this. I also think it is often exacerbated in those that drink heavily (not saying this is your friend OP just that it seems to be something that contributes to throwing the body off, like illness might too.

Interesting thread.

A man I did a regular train commute with was a kidney transplant recipient. He had a certain odour, not unpleasant but distinctive, a bit musty.

Years later I had a man come to service my gas fire. He had the same smell.
After he finished, we were chatting - apparently he had kidney failure.

Maybe it's linked to the medication?

I hope your friend is OK OP, and your friendship sounds lovely.

A very interesting thread! I have always been able to smell when my DC were getting sick, and then more recently my DH and parents too.

You mention your friend is on hormone treatment, that can make one's body smell differently. However that said, when both my parents had cancer, (at different times) I could absolutely smell it. If memory serves, it was an acrid yet sweet smell. Their house, particularly their bedroom smelt acrid too.

I could always smell tonsillitis in kids even before they complained of a sore throat.

I can smell illness. I just presumed everyone could! I can smell when I am unwell myself too.

It’s not a talent I needed...

In addition to the replies you're had already op, my friend is a nurse and he's commented in the past that he can smell when some people are dying / ill enough to die.

Obviously in your case the medication she's on seems like it could be a strong reason for it too.

I work in preschool and can absolutely smell when children are I'll or about to become ill. It smells like pear drops.
I can smell cancer too which smells off, musty, wrong.
It's weird because I have sinus problems and don't smell a lot of ordinary smells.

I’m really sensitive to this. I can’t handle going to hospitals as a result because I find it really overwhelming

I had a boyfriend who had had cancer as a child who had a particular smell to his skin. It wasn't unpleasant but it was very much there, like a sickly, tangy smell.

He died of cancer about 12 years after we split up.

Is she overweight at all? My mum started to smell very oddly and it turned out to be a cottage cheese-like substance in her skin folds. She was washing but not drying properly.

I can often detect pregnancy - and often before the woman even knows herself.

Never understood how or why, always put it down to a weird 'female intuition', but maybe it is down to smell?

Would you describe it as vinegary ?

I can definitely smell when people are ill. I smell different when I am ill.

I could tell dp had caught covid because I could smell the same smell me and the kids had when we had 6 months before.

I came in the bedroom, he had been on nights so asleep alone in the room and I could just smell it. He didn't get symptoms for 2 days.

In your friends case it could be illness or medications I could cause this.