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Children's health

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Original poster

Almost 5yo dd has a very sensitive sense of smell

27 replies

MolotovCocktail · 09/12/2013 09:42

So much so, that if she smells something that is pungent and unpleasant, she vomits She's done this since she was around 2yo.

I was wondering if this was a recognised condition? And if it's common? I haven't taken her to see our GP about it (don't know what could be done; if anything should be).

It's distressing for her and I'd like to help her out. TIA.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

ZingSweetPea · 09/12/2013 11:35

poor thing, I have no advice

a friend's DD used to vomit at the smell of her own poo. she grew out of it.

Original poster

MolotovCocktail · 09/12/2013 11:51

Thanks for your reply. I was hoping during toddlerhood that this would be something she'd outgrow, but just 2 months shy of her 5th birthday, she hasn't.

And yes, she has vomited at the smell of her own poo She vomited this morning on our walk to school because chimney she smelled chimney smoke.

OP posts:

Original poster

MolotovCocktail · 09/12/2013 11:52

'because she smelled chimney smoke' (sorry!)

OP posts:

ZingChoirsOfAngels · 13/12/2013 22:39

I think you could join a hyperemesis support group - they might be able to give you advice and tips.

good luck

ZingChoirsOfAngels · 13/12/2013 22:40

(it's still me Zing ,with a Christmas name! )

MadameDefarge · 13/12/2013 22:42

I know that ds is very sensitive to smell, used to cry when people peeled/ate citrus fruit near him.

He has dyspraxia, and that is a recognised symptom of it.

TiddlerTiddler · 13/12/2013 22:45

Am very interested in your comment Madame as I am getting my son assessed for dyspraxia shortly and he has a really really sensitive sense of smell. I had no idea they were linked. Wow.

Slippersandacuppa · 13/12/2013 22:50

My 4yo DS is the same. He was getting quite upset every morning before school and after a couple of weeks of sleuthing, we realised it was because he was put next to a child at lunchtime who is on medication. He couldn't tolerate the smell - no malice or anything, he would just end up in tears with it. Luckily the other child didn't know (it took us long enough!). My cousin had dyspraxia, never remember her saying anything about smell though, very interesting.

MadameDefarge · 13/12/2013 22:55

its part of the sensory processing being out of whack.

Very sensitive to loud noise, hated wearing clothes, the smell thing, picky about food (no fruit ever, not even now, aged 13. but eats loads of veg)
loves having his back stroked.

lougle · 13/12/2013 23:03

DD3 has a very keen sense of smell. Hates seams. Can't stand feeling wet between her toes. The list goes on. It's not an easy ride when you're 4.

MadameDefarge · 13/12/2013 23:05

I wish I had known about it when he was little. I feel guilty that I didn't make more allowances for him then.

lougle · 13/12/2013 23:23

How were you to know that it wasn't just toddler hypersensitivity, though, Madame? DD3 is very bright, witty, etc., and very highly strung. I've bought seamless socks, etc., but when she's tired everything bubbles over and she can't cope with the sensations.

I hope she'll grow out of it because DD1 has SN and DD2 is causing concern and I could do without it but if she doesn't, we'll have to find ways of overcoming it.

MadameDefarge · 13/12/2013 23:27

I know lougle, thanks tho.

DS has grown out of most of it now (apart from the fruit thing). Or rather, it doesn't bother him as much.

He still wanders around the house in t shirt and underwear wrapped in a fleece in preference to anything else. sleeps wrapped up in a fleece. has a fleecy pillow. Still cuddles his fleecy puppy dog toy!

He would kill me if he knew I had told all that!

Beehatch · 13/12/2013 23:28

My 4yo DS also has a very strong sense of smell, and will often recount memories in relation to how things smelt. People too. He totally gags at his own poo, and did so from very small!

My DD has an amazing sense of taste too - she can identify ingredients and seasonings in food. I remember giving her some home baked cake when she was about three, she nibbled a bit and correctly identified the lemon and ginger - even though they were very subtle.

TheAwfulDaughter · 13/12/2013 23:30

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

lougle · 13/12/2013 23:31

I'm very sensitive to noise - I get migraines so it may be a contributory factor. Once I hear a sound I can't fade it out and it really grates.

I also have a very sensitive palate. I hate cinnamon and can smell and taste it a mile off. My Dad also dislikes it and one day we had coffee somewhere. I took a biscuit and as I raised it to my mouth I caught a whiff. I said 'eurggh, that's got cinnamon in it.' Dad said 'no it hasn't...'. On the packet, tiny writing, 'cinnamon.'

Ragusa · 13/12/2013 23:32

DD is also like this. We have trouble walking down the cheese aisle in the supermarket - she quite often gags and I can see her desperately swallowing the saliva down... no answers, just sympathy.

DD can tell if you've been eating a chocolate biscuit a half hour before. There's no escape (grin). Is that true about the link with dyspraxia? how interesting. I don't think she has it, but the brain really is a mysterious thing isn't it?

MadameDefarge · 13/12/2013 23:35

<a class="break-all" href="//jwww.mindroom.org/index.php/learning_difficulties/developmental_coordination_disorder/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">just a quick google

curlew · 13/12/2013 23:42

A song for you

I had a super smeller too- one of his first sentences was "Wassatsmew??" And I had to take a pan of Jerusalem artichoke soup out into the garden because the smell was making him hysterical.
He's 12 now, and while he still notices smells, it's perfectly manageable. It's supposed to be a sign of high intelligence......!

MadameDefarge · 14/12/2013 00:15

I love that. will play it to ds!

Original poster

MolotovCocktail · 14/12/2013 08:29

Thanks all for your very useful comments. When I think about it, dd1 is sensitive to other things relating to the senses: the 'feeling' of certain foods in her mouth can sometimes utterly revolt her; seams on socks and tights have to be just so; if she starts to feel stressed or irritated, the palms of her hands will itch (sometimes so do the soles of her feet).

I had no idea about the dyspraxia link and will investigate. Thanks again

OP posts:

Original poster

MolotovCocktail · 14/12/2013 08:38

Oh, and some days/the course of a few days, 'highly strung' doesn't even begin to describe her reactions.

OP posts:

MadameDefarge · 14/12/2013 08:42

gosh yes. DS lovingly known as the little princess (obviously behind his back).for years.

MadameDefarge · 14/12/2013 08:43

of course hypersensitivity is not restricted to just dyspraxia, but def worth noting there are a range of sensory issues.

thornrose · 14/12/2013 08:48

My dd has dyspraxia and AS, she is also very sensitive to smells, not to the point of vomiting though, your poor dd.
She was highly sensitive as a young child to smells, tastes, sounds etc. It has got much easier as she's grown up, she is 14 now and really has no obvious sensory issues.
She still remains a fussy eater though and the other day she tried (licked!) a new food and she did that whole body shudder that babies do

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