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What Causes Metallic Odor In The Hair And Body?
Although I shower and bath several times a day and wash my hair at least 5 times a week, I still have a metallic smell from my hair and skin and it becomes sulfur smelling under stress or in the sun..also at times it seems as though I give off a smelly foot odor that reaps throughout my skin...what is wrong get with me..I m very clean and practice excellent hygiene...it affects my life in every sense of the word..I have refused excellent job offers because of this condition and I have no social life...help?
Fri, 8 Mar 2019
Hi,
There are few questions that I should ask you:
1. Does your hair undergo any color change?
2. Any change in skin anywhere?
3. Other symptoms like urine characteristics (change in color, change in smell).
Practically, both hair and foot is affected. If we can rule out any kidney disease, liver disease, we may consider:
1. Metabolic disease
2. Fungal infection
As you are already doing, keep a good hygiene throughout. Some tests I should tell you:
1. Liver Function Test
2. Kidney Function test
3. Urinalysis
4. Complete Blood Count and Peripheral Smear
5. Tissue Exam (reveals arsenic deposits – urine, nails, hair)
6. Serum Arsenic levels
I can understand its too many, I do not want to miss out any thing. Sorry for this inconvenience. Meanwhile you can do the followings:
1. Apply anti fungal/anti bacterial shampoo.
2. Apply anti-fungal powder in your feet (specially between toes) before going out.
3. Do not apply any kind of scent, cosmetic, etc., to your hair for odor management.
4. Keep on maintaining good hygiene.
5. Inform the doctor about any other symptoms.
6. Please do all the above tests.
7. You may go to a dermatologist for physical exam.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Dipan Samanta,
General & Family Physician
There are few questions that I should ask you:
1. Does your hair undergo any color change?
2. Any change in skin anywhere?
3. Other symptoms like urine characteristics (change in color, change in smell).
Practically, both hair and foot is affected. If we can rule out any kidney disease, liver disease, we may consider:
1. Metabolic disease
2. Fungal infection
As you are already doing, keep a good hygiene throughout. Some tests I should tell you:
1. Liver Function Test
2. Kidney Function test
3. Urinalysis
4. Complete Blood Count and Peripheral Smear
5. Tissue Exam (reveals arsenic deposits – urine, nails, hair)
6. Serum Arsenic levels
I can understand its too many, I do not want to miss out any thing. Sorry for this inconvenience. Meanwhile you can do the followings:
1. Apply anti fungal/anti bacterial shampoo.
2. Apply anti-fungal powder in your feet (specially between toes) before going out.
3. Do not apply any kind of scent, cosmetic, etc., to your hair for odor management.
4. Keep on maintaining good hygiene.
5. Inform the doctor about any other symptoms.
6. Please do all the above tests.
7. You may go to a dermatologist for physical exam.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Dipan Samanta,
General & Family Physician
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