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Do Celiac's Have An Odor?

*Daniella*

By *Daniella*
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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*Daniella* Apprentice
*Daniella*
Posted

The other day my boyfriend said he can tell when I have been glutened because I admit a distinct odor through my skin. He said it's NOT foul smelling but more medicinal. Has anybody else been told that?

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IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Could you do us dinosaurs a favor and not make the font so small so we can't read it without our "cheaters"? :lol: Thanks, honey!

Okay, to answer your question: Nope.

So, I asked the hubs.... and he said " huh? No!"

and I honestly cannot imagine how this would provoke a "medicinal smell" by emitting it through your skin, BUT it is very interesting!! As the wife of a chemist, I am intrigued.

For it to be an exact science of course, he would have to sniff you daily for weeks, reporting what he smells, then without his knowledge, you gluten yourself and as the days pass, he would continue to sniff you and report what he smells.

In other words, a controlled study would be your best bet. He may think you smell differently, because he knows you've been glutened. See what I mean? Maybe he is biased based on what he knows?

not that he is lying, of course, but because he may "anticipate" a change?

It would only be a valid response if there is control in the experiment....so......who wants to try it? (not me!)

cahill Collaborator
cahill
Posted

Could you do us dinosaurs a favor and not make the font so small so we can't read it without our "cheaters"? :lol: Thanks, honey!

Okay, to answer your question: Nope.

So, I asked the hubs.... and he said " huh? No!"

and I honestly cannot imagine how this would provoke a "medicinal smell" by emitting it through your skin, BUT it is very interesting!! As the wife of a chemist, I am intrigued.

For it to be an exact science of course, he would have to sniff you daily for weeks, reporting what he smells, then without his knowledge, you gluten yourself and as the days pass, he would continue to sniff you and report what he smells.

In other words, a controlled study would be your best bet. He may think you smell differently, because he knows you've been glutened. See what I mean? Maybe he is biased based on what he knows?

not that he is lying, of course, but because he may "anticipate" a change?

It would only be a valid response if there is control in the experiment....so......who wants to try it? (not me!)

Not me either,, I will take the word of the fool ,, I mean test subject,, that agrees to perform that controlled study :rolleyes:,

I have known people who drink a LOT of alcohol to have the odor of alcohol come thru their skin after a particularly rough binge .

JNBunnie1 Community Regular
JNBunnie1
Posted

HAHAHAHAHAH!!!!!!

I do know that in my experience living with a man for six years, he would most definitely smell

different when he was sick, like with a cold or something. And my mother always said she could

smell when we were sick. It's not out of the realm of logic that the chemistry in your body

would change enough when glutened to affect your odor. Especially to someone with a very

sensitive sniffer, I smell things most people don't notice. Interesting topic!

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

I agree on the "alcohol smell" after a binge. No question!! I agree on the "sick smell" too. That's perspiration coming out your pores, right?

but if we're gonna ooze after a glutening, wouldn't we smell like a bagel??

Just sayin.

I can smell things no one else can, too. Really, I have "super nose" (the hubs thinks I am nuts sometimes.) but I am "fine tuned".... same with taste and hearing. Super Sonic.

That said, I bet I may probably smell like OTHER things besides "medicinal" after a gluten hit.....because you can bet I am going to probably heave or be in the loo for a bit.... :ph34r:

GFinDC Veteran
GFinDC
Posted

People who smoke certaintly have an odor. Some people smell like cinnamon too. Don't ask me why. Rose water is medicinal right? So maybe we smell like rose water. Otherwise I can't imagine why we would have a particular odor, so there, says FP.

JNBunnie1 Community Regular
JNBunnie1
Posted

Well, haven't a lot of people reported hormone disruptions from glutening? Night sweats,

hot flashes, booby tenderness, cycle issues... I have read of pregnant women smelling

different, as reported by their husbands or mothers. So why not a glutening? Nobody

would ever fund the study of something like this, but it sure is interesting!

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mushroom Proficient
mushroom
Posted

My hubs' aunt said she could smell people who had cancer :blink:

JNBunnie1 Community Regular
JNBunnie1
Posted

Dogs can smell cancer!

cahill Collaborator
cahill
Posted

I also have an extra sensitive sniffer ,,,

Maybe we should have a study done to see if celiacs have more sensitive sniffers then non celiacs ? That could be fun or not :P (depending on the smells involved :lol:)

Celiac Mindwarp Community Regular
Celiac Mindwarp
Posted

I am à sensitive sniffer :)

I can sometimes smell when a diabetic is out of whack. It is the classic sweet pear drop smell that people say is on the breath, but I smell it on the skin. I had a boyfriend with diabetes, but I had to pretend it didn't happen, it used to annoy him that I knew. Mind you, it annoyed me that he used to get drunk and expect his mates or me to get him out of fits. Hence ex.

Another friend was freaked out when I asked if he was diabetic. Turned out he was prediabetic.

Not sure about celiac. I think there is a general sick smell.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

I also have an extra sensitive sniffer ,,,

Maybe we should have a study done to see if celiacs have more sensitive sniffers then non celiacs ? That could be fun or not :P (depending on the smells involved :lol:)

The startled skunk walking by the open window in summer just about kills me. <_<

ncdave Apprentice
ncdave
Posted

Eat some chocolate an smell the skin on your arm, pretty amazing !

cavernio Enthusiast
cavernio
Posted

I've often wondered this. I wonder why we don't get dogs to diagnose all sorts of diseases for us, we trust them to find bombs and drugs.

I personally haven't noticed a celiac odor, but have wondered a lot if it's contributed to my own pretty strong BO.

mommida Enthusiast
mommida
Posted

We had a dog that loved everybody. She would growl at anyone who had cancer (most times pre diagnoses).

I honest to God can smell ice (ice rink ice).

A lot of us mid westerners can smell spring. (it smells like black dirt and it is not the first day of uncovered ground from snow melt)

The boyfriend just has a really good sniffer, very well in tuned to you. He will probably know your pregnant before you do.

Celiac Mindwarp Community Regular
Celiac Mindwarp
Posted

My cat knew I was pregnant and went bananas.

Mind you, cats are not much good for training :)

nvsmom Community Regular
nvsmom
Posted

I too have a sensitive nose. As a mom to 3 boys and a red neck husband, I consider this to be a curse. LOL

I'll have to pay attention to that. I know my smells change throughout the month and when I am unwell. I've never noticed a gluten smell. Neat.

And yeah, why don't they use dogs for cancer sniffing. It's got to be cheaper than MRI's and tonnes of tests.

CaliSparrow Collaborator
CaliSparrow
Posted

My hubby has a sensitive nose. If I've spent several days in bed, he says the room begins to have "that smell". He also says it's not particularly bad, but stale. The skin is an organ and I don't think it's outside the realm of possibility that we give off an odor when our organs are taxed. He hasn't really said that much since I've been gluten-free.

Cali

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