Smelling pee in your nose, known as phantosmia, often means you're experiencing a phantom smell from sinus issues (infections, polyps), recent illnesses (like COVID-19), certain medications, or sometimes underlying conditions like kidney problems or neurological issues, though it's often temporary and linked to nasal inflammation. It's a type of olfactory hallucination, and if persistent or accompanied by other symptoms, you should see a doctor (ENT) for proper diagnosis, as it can range from harmless to a sign of something serious.
When the kidneys aren't functioning properly, waste products like urea can build up in the body and produce unusual odors. This is sometimes referred to as “uremic fetor,” a term for the strong ammonia or urine-like smell that may come from the breath or nasal passages in people with kidney problems.
An olfactory hallucination, known as phantosmia, makes you detect smells that aren't in your environment. The odors you notice in phantosmia are different from person to person and may be foul or pleasant. You may notice the smells in one or both nostrils.
In addition to bacteria, viruses or fungi can also trigger an infection. The invading bacteria thrive in urine and multiply quickly and cause an infection, which can result in strong smelling urine. Symptoms of a urinary tract infection or cystitis can include: pain or a burning sensation when urinating.
Common Causes of Bad Smells in the Nose
When mucus gets trapped and infected, the bacteria produce foul odors. But infections aren't the only reason. Other contributors include: Colds and Allergies: Even non-bacterial inflammation can alter mucus flow and cause smells.
Phantosmia is usually temporary and should go away in a few weeks. But your symptoms may linger if a neurological issue is the cause. You should see a healthcare provider if phantom smells last for more than a few weeks.
At-home treatment options could include taking medications to help reduce inflammation, as well as using a nasal rinse (saline) to clear out the sinuses. Over-the-counter decongestants and pain relievers may also help to reduce sinus infection odor.
You should worry about urine smell and see a doctor if it's persistent, accompanied by fever, pain/burning during urination, cloudy or bloody urine, or if it smells sweet (potential diabetes) or rotten (potential infection/kidney stones). While often temporary due to dehydration or food, persistent strong or unusual odors, especially with other symptoms, warrant medical attention to rule out UTIs, diabetes, or other conditions.
Multiple things can cause your house to smell like cat urine, even if you don't have a cat. Investigate if there is mold, leaking Freon, sewer gases, smelly plants, spoiled food, or even stains from previous pet owners.
A person with kidney failure may have breath that smells like ammonia or urine. Serious liver disease can make breath smell musty or like garlic and rotten eggs.
There is also documented evidence of olfactory hallucinations for B12 deficient patients, i.e., smelling smells (usually unpleasant) that aren't actually there (medically called phantosmia).
Kidney disease: An ammonia smell to your breath (sometimes described as fishy or like urine) can indicate kidney disease.
Therefore, perhaps a lack of vitamin D leads to neurological decline of the central and peripheral nervous system, including the cranial nerves, leading to reduced olfaction. The issue of reduced olfaction with vitamin D deficiency is not just an issue of mechanistic interest.
Causes of phantom smells can include problems with the nose, brain, or nervous system. It's important to note that phantosmia can also be caused by psychological factors, such as stress, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)—though these cases are less common.
A person with uncontrolled diabetes may have high blood glucose levels. The body tries to get rid of the extra glucose through urine, which can cause it to have a sweet smell, similar to honey. People with sweet-smelling urine due to diabetes may notice other symptoms, including: exhaustion.
Carpets, walls, and wood can trap urine like a sponge and release smell again and again. Fresh urine often gives a sharp sting, while older stains smell musty. Our nose can detect parts per trillion of ammonia. That explains why you catch a fleeting whiff in one room and then again in another.
Mold and Mildew
Why it Smells: Certain molds produce a compound that can emit a smell similar to cat urine, particularly black mold and other molds that grow in damp conditions.
One type of disorder is called parosmia, which causes a change in the way you perceive smell. Things that once had a pleasant odor may smell foul, or vice versa. This may give you the impression that you have a bad smell stuck in your nose.
Urine often has a slight ammonia smell, especially first thing in the morning or when a person is dehydrated. However, smelly urine can also be a sign of an infection. If the smell does not go away on its own or additional symptoms develop, it is best to contact a doctor.
Kidney failure can make urine smell strongly of ammonia or have a fishy odor, often due to built-up waste products (amines) or infection, signaling concentrated urine from dehydration or kidney dysfunction. Other signs alongside bad-smelling urine include foamy, bloody, or cola-colored urine, swelling, fatigue, and changes in urination, all pointing to potential kidney issues that require a doctor's evaluation.
3. Soak In Baking Soda (or Vinegar) If the odor persists, fill a sink, bucket, or tub with water and baking soda and allow your clothes or bedding to soak for 15 – 30 minutes. White Vinegar can be used as an alternative.
The hardest smells to get rid of are often deeply embedded, like skunk spray, cigarette smoke, pet urine, mold/mildew, and fire/water damage odors, because they permeate porous materials (carpets, upholstery, drywall, synthetic fabrics) and can get into HVAC systems, requiring professional cleaning or specialized ozone treatments to neutralize the odor molecules themselves, not just mask them.
Rinsing the inside of your nose with a saltwater solution may help if your sense of smell is affected by an infection or allergy. You can make a saltwater solution at home. Boil a pint of water, then leave it to cool. Mix a teaspoon of salt and a teaspoon of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) into the water.
Dry mouth occurs when there is not enough salivary production. Dry mouth symptoms are feeling parched, swollen nasal passageway, sticky mouth, cracked lips and a bad smell in the nose. Causes of dry mouth include dehydration, certain medications, old age, and salivary gland conditions.