I've been having this strange issue where every time I sneeze, there's this really bad smell in my nose. I tried washing my nose thoroughly, and it seems to help with the smell. So I'm guessing it might have something to do with mucus. It's only started happening recently, maybe around 2 or 3 times, but the smell is definitely unpleasant. Should I be worried about this for my health, or is it just a weird, harmless phase?

Dr Dhankecha Dineshbhai

General Practitioner

• MBBS
• 6+ Yrs

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This bad smell you are experiencing when you sneeze could be due to a condition called atrophic rhinitis. In atrophic rhinitis, the lining of the nasal passages becomes inflamed and thins out, leading to a foul odor. It can be caused by various factors such as chronic sinus infections, nasal polyps, or environmental irritants. To help manage this condition, you can try using saline nasal sprays to keep the nasal passages moist and prevent the buildup of dried mucus. In severe cases, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics or nasal corticosteroids to reduce inflammation. If this issue persists or worsens, it is advisable to consult with an ENT specialist for further evaluation and management.

Answered 14 days ago