Buy Walking VideosAmmonia-Scented Sweat?
I have run pretty hard, but never hard enough to smell like ammonia.
Releasing ammonia in your sweat is caused by burning protein during your exercise instead of carbohydrates. If you are low are carbs, the body dips into the protein reserves, which means your muscles or whatever protein you ate recently. I’m not a long distance runner, so I have never had a workout that was this intense.
It makes me wonder what it would be like to workout so hard that you end up burning off all the carbs you have eaten. I’m such a carbohydrate hound that I don’t know how far and long I would have to run to achieve this. I wonder if it’s healthy. According to Devine Sports, it might not be:
“The smell usually isn’t anything to worry about. But if it persists, you probably aren’t taking in enough carbohydrates. If you emphasize carbohydrates before, during and after running and the ammonia smell is still around, you should get checked out by a physician.”
If you have noticed an ammonia smell after exercise, try increasing the percentage of carbohydrates in your diet. If the smell, persists, make sure you talk to your doctor. It might be enticing to know that you are burning off so much fuel that you are dipping into your protein reserves, but it might be a sign of a bigger problem further down the line.
Previous: Plus-Size Exercise Clothes
Next: Biggest Loser Water?
November 18th, 2006 at 9:32 am
Laura, the workout does not have to be intense. It can also be one that is of long duration. e.g. a runner’s weekly long run. The key, as you’ve pointed out, is that carbs are burned off so the body begins using the next available fuel source.
November 18th, 2006 at 7:14 pm
Wow thanks for the info.
January 24th, 2007 at 1:57 pm
I often have an ammonia smell after a long run but it is only in my nose. Is this strange? Also, I eat tons of carbohydrates so it seems strange that running out of carbs is what it happening.. I am wondering if anyone has any other smell or am I just weird?
Please respond to my email. katherine
February 4th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
Yep, I get the same smell too, and only in my nose. This usually happens when I run hard or long. I always worry about taking in too many carbs, so I think I am probably light. I’m trying to increase my carb intake and see what happens to the smell.
March 7th, 2007 at 8:08 pm
I also smell ammonia after a workout. Its not something others can smell, its just in my nose. I dont know what to think because I am a vegitarian and if anything, I eat way too many carbs and not enough protein.
I have talked with doctors about it before – a neurologist who thought it was epilepsy (that was a fun month) and later an ENT who was clueless.
My last resort has become the internet as the doctors dont seem to know much about it.
March 15th, 2007 at 2:17 pm
Funny, I’m searching the net too cause I’m getting the smell and no one else seems to smell it. It has to be just in the nose cause I often get it in the shower after my workout – scared me cause I thought the pipes were contaminated!
At least it sounds like we’re all normal, if any of you die from this have a friend post it 😉
May 5th, 2007 at 9:56 am
Guess there is already a Ryan posting here, funny. I’m glad I found this site. I have experienced the same issues as everyone who has posted here. Strong ammonia smell that only I can smell. Sometimes it’s strong, especially in the shower. I too thought it might be the tap water. I think I take in enough carbs though so I’m curious about what it’s happening to me.
May 20th, 2007 at 7:44 pm
I am so relieved to have found this site. The same happens to me as well, and in particular when in the shower. After reading the site it talks about occuring after runs of long duration. It doesn’t necessarily occur after runs of long duration, it can happen when I just have 30 minutes to sqeeze in a run as well. I just asked a fellow family member who runs about this, and they acted like I had body odor issues, which isn’t the case, as I am the only one who can smell this ammonia like smell.Oddly, I eat plenty of carbs-toom many in my opinion.
May 31st, 2007 at 4:43 am
Well unlike most of you, I do martial arts and run from time to time as well as the going to the gym. In all instances and more particularly when I run, the smell of ammonia is on my training gear and all who come near to me say they can smell it. After going for a full medical check-up and a multitude of blood tests, my doctor said I was fit and had nothing to worry about although I was the first person he had encountered who had this problem. With regard to carbs and protien, I eat loads of carbs and not as much protien.
June 2nd, 2007 at 2:02 pm
I also notice the odor after about 30 minutes of intense exercise with a heart rate of about 155-165. I also have particularly acidic sweat, any comments?
June 9th, 2007 at 3:09 am
I have the same smell in my nose. I asked my Organic Chemistry professor about the smell and he believed it could possibly be toxins being emitted, but he wasn’t sure. Bacteria in soil convert atmospheric nitrogen in the form of N2 into ammonia (NH3), then into ammonium (NH4). This is called nitrogen fixation. Some of the ammonium could be emmited back into the atmosphere because it is in a gas form. Plants and bacteria do much stanger things than this, so I would like to bring up this possibility. The reason I thought this theory could be plausable is that I only get this smell when I run outdoors. If you get this smell working-out indoors please post it.
June 15th, 2007 at 4:52 pm
Hahaha! Sweet! I have been experiencing the same thing! Especially in the shower. I am glad I found this site because I was a little worried. It happens when I bike hard and then get in the shower, but goes away pretty quickly. It would be nice to find out what this is though.
June 18th, 2007 at 11:38 am
To answer Bryan I get it indooors. I exercise regularily martial arts etc.. but when I go to a bodycombat class I sweat buckets and its smells strongly of ammonia. I wear synthetic t-Shirts when I do this exercise but when I wear cotton ( martial Arts) I dont get the same effect. has anyone noticed this ?
June 26th, 2007 at 12:50 pm
I have been researching this long and hard. I’ve found theories about kidneys and how your body emits ammonia while working out but mine usually happens only in my nostrils and when I’m stressed, working out or even just after a walk. I started thinking that it maybe something that starts in the armpits of my shirts where anti-perspirants mix with the ammonia and other things from your sweat. Maybe it is just deep in the nostrils. I’ve also read where anxiety or stress..which running can stress the body can cause these smells. I think it is just something people have..like I can smell Tylenol after taking it.
July 6th, 2007 at 10:39 pm
I have a huge sweat problem when I sleep. I eat a lot of carbs and protein, and probably more carbs than protein considering the fact that I am over weight and not an exerciser. I sweat hevily in my sleep and when I wake up my neck and chest and back are wet with sweat. It also sometimes smells like a hint of urine (amonia) and that is why I was searcing this sight to find out why. But for me I can’t see why when it says high protein eaters can have this smell. I have high triglycerides and PCOS I wonder if this has anything to do with it.
July 15th, 2007 at 7:14 pm
I’ve noticed for some time now that after a workout my sweat has a strong ammonia smell. I sweat buckets, or as I like to say: Mules perspire, I sweat. I easily finish off a 32 oz bottle of water in my 45-50 workout. My diet lately has been mostly, but not strictly, vegetarian. I read somewhere that this could mean I’m not getting enough carbs before my workout. Hard to imagine, but as an experiment, today I ate about half a cup of pineapple and added about 8 oz. of a sports drink to my water. When I wrung the sweat out of my workout clothes, the ammonia smell was considerably less. I’ll have to try this a few more times before I come to any conclusions.
July 15th, 2007 at 9:21 pm
I have exactly the same problem, after working out for over 1 hr., when I get into the shower the ammonia smell is completely over my nose. Hope that someone has an answer for this.
July 16th, 2007 at 6:44 pm
OK, so tonight, after my workout I peeled off my sweat-soaked shirt and there was no ammonia smell. But about 10 or 15 minutes later, I smelled it again and this time the ammonia smell was very strong.
July 18th, 2007 at 7:04 pm
Oh my gosh! Me too. I get this smell in my nose when I take deep breaths in through my nose after a hard run. I thought after the first time, it was something I cooked earlier in the house because when I went outside, I couldn’t smell it anymore in my nose. It’s very unusual, but I’m glad I’m not the only one!
July 26th, 2007 at 9:33 am
I’ve got the same symptoms… I run my long run, but it isn’t THAT long ~10k…. and I smell it…. pretty strong. My diet is nothing special, so I don’t think carbs are the issue. I’m eating plenty of pasta, breads, protein bars choc full of carbs…
July 26th, 2007 at 9:36 am
just tripped over this: http://www.runnersworld.co.uk/news/article.asp?UAN=2029
July 26th, 2007 at 9:45 am
Hey Ryan,
Thanks for the link to the Runner’s World article!
You rock! Laura
August 15th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
I started getting this smell as well a couple years back when I started doing aphoresis platelet donations at Red Cross. I’ve gone a couple months now without donating, and the smell is going away. I think something in the anticoagulate they give me when I donate is giving me the odor when I exercise.
August 26th, 2007 at 7:15 pm
I am one of those who has the strong ammonia smell, but only in my nostrils, not at all in my sweat. There have been a few online articles written about ammonia smell in sweat but I haven’t found anything yet about the ammonia smell that seems to be localized in the nostrils. I’m wondering if it’s actually in the breath, emitted by the lungs, and can only be detected by the nose rather than tasted in the mouth. I haven’t noticed any correlation with carb intake. In any case, it’s good to see that it’s not that uncommon, although apparently it’s a bit medically mysterious.
September 4th, 2007 at 4:58 pm
I get this smell in my nose when it’s really hot and I get into my car. At times, it smells more like bleach than ammonia. After the air conditioner kicks in, the smell goes away. I don’t sweat the smell and I don’t smell it when I work out.
September 5th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
Yep, after reasonably long cardio over half hour, workout clothes sometimes stink of it (get them in the wash ergh!) but I’ve noticed this didnt happen for about 6 months when I lived with me folks (mam was head chef). Then about a week ago it came back. So, today before my usual 1 hour cardio, I drank about a pint of fluid: (tea, water), and ate 4 nutri grain bars (they are addictive like crack them things lol!) so thats fluid and carbs from the wholemeal bread type stuff in the nutrigrains. Should have had an apple really, but that worked. Not a hint of stink. So it’s gotta be the amino acid thing. I originally thought it was because I tend to sweat about 2 litres in a 1 hour cardio-a-thon, and probably hadn’t drank that all day!
September 21st, 2007 at 12:50 pm
I just wanted to add that I get ammonia the smell (only in my nose) after short, hard runs as well but only after pushing very hard. Sometimes followed by a little dizziness. It is very noticeable in the shower. I have spent some time researching this but I can only find people saying that it is happening and then someone linking it back it coming from sweat….oh well, maybe some one has a ammonia testing device that they can breath into to find out if we are actually exhaling ammonia 🙂
October 4th, 2007 at 11:13 pm
Yay!!!! I am so happy I found this site!! I thought I had epillepsy or a brain tumor and I have been driving myself crazy! I talked to a nurse today and it sounded like she thought I had a brain tumor! I get the ammonia smell in my nose when I work out hard. I thought it was more of an iron smell but ammonia sounds right. I wonder if it has anything to do with blood pressure?
October 16th, 2007 at 5:21 pm
I began a web search on this to see if the plumbing in my shower is having a problem. The ammonia smell in my nose is so intense it nearly makes my eyes water. My wife can’t smell a thing. I mostly experience this during a post-workout shower. My sweat and clothes do not stink. It is completely in my head/nose. Very strange and glad I’m not alone.
October 16th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
thanks to everyone. especially comment no 21. it all makes very good sense, i feel so much better now.
November 3rd, 2007 at 6:23 pm
I just experienced this today and it freaked me out!
I had worked out for an hour and was showering off the sweat when I smelled the strongest ammonia smell. I thought the hotel had used too much ammonia to clean the bath.
I wish I knew what it is, but I am happy to read I’m not going to spontaneously combust or something! Yay!
November 4th, 2007 at 3:22 pm
Thanks everyone who made a sensible reply – the carbs theory would fit for me because some days my sweat is toxic with ammonia – and today was the first of those in a while. On reflection my diet has been a bit carb-lite over the last few days, I cycled 50 miles this morning (and was a little whiffy) but after a sweaty 10k this evening it was real strong. It had never given me any cause for concern but the muscle eating bit does! As for you guys who just get it in your nose – that is well wierd 😉
November 5th, 2007 at 5:23 pm
I recently began Bikram yoga and I almost passed out from the ammonia smell in my sweat. I am no great athlete, eat too much carbs, and definetly not such an excess of protein. Anyway, FYI, the ammonia odor when you exercise can be produced by Helicobacter…thats the same bacteria that can cause ulcers. Your doctor can do a simple blood test for it and it is curable with a course of antibiotics.
November 5th, 2007 at 9:23 pm
OK here is a twist. I get the amonia smell in my nose too…without working out. I think it is related to chronic sinus problems. Although, I do a very low carb diet. Anyone else have sinus problems?
November 6th, 2007 at 6:32 am
I am so relieved that there are others experiencing the same thing. I thought I had some odd disease. I don’t smell the amonia on my clothes, it just lingers in my nose and is more pronounced in the shower. I’m going to eat more carbs prior to my runs and see if that helps.
November 6th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
wow… Im glad i found you guys here. I to get the smell just in my nose. I’m not exercising right now and get this… it started out kinda sweet and has become kinda ammonia and lemon. At first I thought it was my hair products, but I’ve changed all those. kinda freaks me out. anything you find out , Please post here. thanks
November 12th, 2007 at 9:57 am
All interesting to read. My boyfriend brought up to me the other day that he has been noticing the ammonia smell in his nose in the shower after a work out. I’ve been noticing this for years after I work out, but for me it smells more like iron. I used to think it was lingering chlorine (I used to swim competetively), but once I stopped swimming, I noticed it happened after especially long cardio sessions or after especially intense yoga classes. Like many people who posted, I feel like it’s only in my nose, and it seems to only start when I get in the shower. I’ll try eating more carbs and see what happens. Any one know what the iron smell could be, or is this just my interpretation of the ammonia smell?
November 13th, 2007 at 6:24 am
I get this smell in my nose! Not related to working out for me I don’t think, I am looking for a link between something I eat and this smell – possibly bread. It can last for a whole day and I also get sinus problems including small cuts in my nose. But this smell is so weird and has been happening to me for maybe a year…
Glad I found this site though, there are some interesting things I found out. 🙂
November 15th, 2007 at 7:43 am
My scent definitely comes and lingers for weeks after going to Red Cross to do a platelet blood donation. When I quit going for a few months it went away, and when I went back the smell (with exercise) came back with a vengence. I think it’s the anti-coagulant they give be in the donation process. I told them I wouldn’t be back.
Anyone else with a similar history?
November 20th, 2007 at 8:25 am
Wow finially, the first page I have found in 6 months of causal searching. I first noticed this a few years ago, normally in the shower. I thought it was my (styling) product as well at first. I only noticed it after long cardio workouts, and at first only once every couple of months. I didnt eat as well as I do now, workout as much ether. But recently its becoming a once a week thing. Normally on days maybe I havent slept enough or had less then normal water teh previous day or two. My wife cannot smell is, and it is not on my clothes, just in nose and hair, primarily in the shower. Never longer then 15 minutes. And Very oddly, it never happens when I am at the lake or on the mountain. (Wake or snow boarding) I wakeboard quite a bit and sweat my rear off at the lake, but, I do eat more, and….drink beer. Bingo…lightbulb…carbs. Beer = lots of carbs. I am not out getting hammered by any means with still a good water intake. Thats gotta be it….I guess.
November 20th, 2007 at 11:02 pm
This was my first time researching the ammonia smell. I just chalked it up to old age. The following website is the best explanation I could find so far. http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/ammonia.htm
November 25th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
I get the ammonia smell in my clothes after strenuous cardio workout at the gym, and also in my nose in the shower after long walks. On Saturday I did a very strenuous cardio workout and had a sports drink instead of just water, and there was no ammonia smell in my clothes at all. Having extra carbs really works for me.
November 26th, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Just happend upon this website……interesting I am a bodybuilder and during the off season eat a fairly normal diet. However when I start increaing my workouts I change my diet to very high protein. The ammonia smell does not come till I make this change. At its worst I feel a tingling/itching on my skin at the begining of exercise or in a stituation where I may be about to sweat. Really not a great feeling. If I want to get rid of this I increase water at the same time as increasing carbs.
November 27th, 2007 at 8:16 am
OK, I have found the answer; perhaps not the cause but the answer. I work in the food industry and just got off the phone with two of our flavor chemists. Remember flavors from food are sensed in the nasal cavity.
My thinking was nitrogen compounds plus water (from the shower, sweaty clothes, skin, even moist nasal passages) might form the smelly aromatics.
Yep, this was confirmed. Nitrogen compounds plus water form urea. This was predominately what we are smelling… urea and similar compounds. These are highly volatile (pungent) and are therefore easily noticed.
That is the answer, but not the cause. The cause is where does the nitrogen compounds come from? My guess here is the kidneys only filter out so much nitrogen compounds (from protein and other sources) then release it into the blood where it is excreted in the sweat, or mucus membranes (including the nasal passages, and the mouth).
November 28th, 2007 at 5:25 am
I have the smell too and it seems that some people have good intentions but dont really understand. I,ve seen a couple of responses that supposedly have a web site with the answer but these are about smelling LIKE ammonia. My problem is smelling it while no one else does. I have a question for #44, does this mean we’re healthy?
November 29th, 2007 at 6:26 am
RE: #45
I work in the food industry making food taste good; not a doctor.
As far a healthy, the amount of urea compounds released in sweat or mucus membranes would be extremely low believe it or not. In fact there are some flavor compounds we use that a measured in parts per billion.
Healthy, IMHO you bet. We are out running, working out hard, we all look good, feel good, you betcha were healthy.
December 3rd, 2007 at 12:33 am
I also have the sudden, very strong ammonia smell, only coming from my nose…and not from excercise. I do have Addison’s Disease, and I take Prednisone, so don’t know if that could be a cause or not. I’m concerned about possible kidney involvement, too. It hasn’t happened to me since three years ago, but it’ back, and sometimes it’s so stong, I almost feel woosy. I wish more was known about this, since it doesn’t see too very rare.
December 9th, 2007 at 8:01 pm
I notice the ammonia smell after my workout. I play tennis, mostly singles and I try to make every session as strenuous a workout as possible. After play and before I get in my car, I usually put on a clean dry shirt and put my soaked shirt in a laundry/gym bag. When I get home and take the sweaty shirt out of the bag, the smell can be quite pungent – definitely ammonia! The carb/protein theory could make sense. I consider my current diet to be fairly balanced but I’ll give it a try.
December 11th, 2007 at 10:33 pm
40 was my first post.
Ok I ruled out my issue being carb related. I have added extra carbs into my diet (natural though fruit and other foods). Still smell it in my sinuses 60% time after a workout. I made another discovery. Dry air really bothers my nose, so I have a personal steamer that I use every now and again. I noticed just breathing in the hot steam through my nose for about 5 minutes triggers this as well. Its faint, but there, lasts for about 5 minutes. I almost have to think its sinus related because of this. Just to recap, I am the only one who notices this smell, my wife cannot smell it (unless she literately puts her nose next to mine and breaths in. Its a very funny position to get into to make this possible) and it does not smell on my clothes.
In regardls to being healthy, I am pretty darn healthy, but I have seen VERY healthy people get serious illnesses only associated with being unhealthy.
December 21st, 2007 at 9:35 am
Sweaty Sleeper, the sweat in your sleep might come from the synthetic materials you sleep on, i.e. your mattress or mattress cover. They usually have a plastic backing that causes you to sweat. I used to get this too, then I started placing a natural fiber layer (a few layers) over the cover, but under the sheets. It has made all the difference. I was convinced when I noticed it at hotels, but no longer at home. Try it, it might help.
December 22nd, 2007 at 10:34 am
recently xperienced the ammonia smell only in my nose on one of the most stressfilled days of my life. had not worked out or exercised but suddenly i smelled ammonia. blew my nose but the kleenex smelled fine. that same day i threw away fresh strawberry, pineapple, etc. because they all tasted odd. hope this will not recur. is there anyone out there studying these kinds of phenomena?
December 23rd, 2007 at 8:55 pm
The article on bodybuilding dot com is about as close a answer as you will find see #41. As a personal trainer and group fitness professional, I run into this situation daily in our indoor cycling classes. The bodybuilders and those who supplement extra amino acids are walking ammonia factories. Our question is more along the lines of getting it out of our clothes. It seems to come back in certain types of fabric easily. I’ve tried adding a box of baking soda to the laundry with limited success. Any suggestions?
January 6th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Phew! Another one to feel reassured uncovering this thread.
I too was a little alarmed to encounter the ammonia smell in my nostrils (but not sweat) after a hard work out (60m run). I was a bit light-headed and dizzy as well but in the end just attributed it to having completed a workout in slightly hotter temperatures than normal. It has occurred subsequently and I would hypothesise that in each case the ‘shower’-element may well have a part to play in making the odour seem stronger.
Keep up the posts.
January 12th, 2008 at 8:07 pm
Wonder if any of you are drinking the new Chloramine water. I live in a county that put it in the water to keep the black mold out of the water system. It is a mix of the chlorine normally used and now they add ammonia too. After drinking it cooking in it and bathing in it, I smell it all the time. It is stronger after I work out but i stopped drinking the tap and do bottled but I still shower in it. I still smell it and when I get a cold and start to get better the smell is like after cleaning the bathroom with bleach.
January 15th, 2008 at 12:14 am
When I breath out hard through my nose with my mouth closed I am tasting or smelling ammonia. This is not from exercise but all the time. I’m always making sure my mouth is fresh by brushing and flossing but it doesn’t make any difference. I’ve been waking up with a completely dry mouth over and over again for years and I have a very small airway in the throat. My profile is that of someone with a very short chin. My sinuses are sometimes clogged but not always. When I exercise, it seems as though I’m not getting enough air and I’m of small build and not at all over weight. If changing my diet would help I’d be all for it. Sometimes I think I fast for too long simply because I’m not hungry. Doctors tell me to use Nasocort spray and saline wash but it doesn’t help. Antibiotics never help either. Years ago an allergist prescribed Hysmanal and it helped. This is no longer prescribed and I’ve yet to find something else that takes it away.
January 19th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
Glad to find this. I recently started exercising again. I’m starting slow–just 30-45 minutes walking or using the eliptical. Surprisingly out of nowhere I smell ammonia afterward. When I worked out previously this never happened. I eat plenty of carbs. The smell is not in my sweat or clothes. It is in my nose immediately after a workout and at odd times later. Keep writing–maybe we’ll get an answer–it has been rather alarming!
February 4th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
wow im so glad i found u all! im 21 and have been smelling this urine-like smell, only in my nose, for as long as i can remember. i never associated it with working out before, but have always been very athletic up until the last two years when i was diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I have been very stressed out lately due to my condition and have smelled it more frequently. I noticed a few others associate this odd smell with stress..this is so weird.
February 6th, 2008 at 7:55 am
I too am glad I found that I’m not the only one with this issue, and that it’s not always exercise related. I noticed it first after exercising after having to take a week off due to an injury. It is very annoying and I would really like to know why it happens. But at least we know we’re not alone.
February 6th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
So glad I went onto the internet. I also have the ammonia smell in my nose only. kept thinking it might be bathroom cleaners, have done everything. Eat lots of carbs, have just started walking three days a week and got an elipitical bike for xmas, after reading your comments, maybe I will cut back and see if smell goes. Very annoying, takes away from meals as its there all the time, some times more than others. Looking forward to an answer someday
February 8th, 2008 at 12:42 am
This is a gross confession but I actually occasionally get small chunks of yellowish colored crud that falls into my mouth (presumably out of my sinuses) and absolutely reeks of ammonia. This has been happening to me for many years, has nothing to do with how much I’ve excersised, doesn’t happen in the shower. . . and I don’t think it has any impact on my health but I find it vile and wish I had a way to remove it– I have a feeling the stuff must be accumulating in my sinuses. Has this happened to anyone else?
February 8th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Finally after days of searching I stumble across this site. I recently started smelling ammonia through my nose and not on my sweaty cloths. My wife did not smell what I did. It all started as I increased my weekly running mileage to above 40. I ran a 5 mile race with a cold, that night I thought my wife served up some contaminated salad. I told here it smelled heavy of ammonia but she could not smell it. After further investigation I found that the vegetables were fine and the smell was coming from the salad dressing. I then started smelling other food items and found that all acidic foods like ketchup, salad dressing, olives and other items containing vinegar triggered the smell. I also notice the smell in the air cold air outside and sometimes inside.
I went to the doctor for a full physical and everything was fine. He put me on antibiotics for a possible sinus infection. I was hoping that this might be the cause or even dental problems. My doctor had never heard of this type of situation before and he is a runner. I have been on antibotics since yesterday with no change. I still smell ammonia and sometimes have irritated eyes.
February 8th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
I have lost 60 lbs over the past year and over the last 2 weeks started weights
February 10th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
Hey Gary. I don’t work out (at all), but I’ve been smelling the same smell from ketchup, et al. I’ve had a nasty flu/cold for over a week, and it’s finally going away. Considering that’s our only constant, I’d say it’s safe to guess that a sinus infection is the culprit.
February 16th, 2008 at 1:08 am
I too have an ammonia smell after workouts. I do cardio 20-60 mins a day plus free weight exercise about 30 mins a day. Even on my light days I sweat a lot and I smell this only after I leave the gym at night. When I do day workouts I don’t get the smell in my nose. Odd it only happens after night workouts as soon as I hit outside to get into my car, by the time I get home it’s gone. No clue why it happens, I’m on a balanced diet and drink lemon in my water (64 oz a day). My trainer told me today to go see my doctor and get a blood panel done. I’ll post again if there’s any news that might be helpful.
February 21st, 2008 at 12:38 am
I too have the ammonia smell in my nose only! I thought I was the only one that had this problem. my sweat doesnt smell, it’s only in my nose. It happens after I get done doing about 30-45 minutes of intense cardio. Does anybody have any further information on this phenomenon?
February 28th, 2008 at 4:39 am
What a relief! I am not going mad. I am a new runner, only been at it about 6 months, and the smell has only been noticable since i got fitter and have been running harder. I only have it in my nose. My Husband has been a runner for years and has never noticed this smell, and he can’t smell it on me either. I think the Carb thing might be it for me, i tend to run on empty most of the time, and am quite shocked to think my poor old body it eating itself. I will try running with some carbs on board and see if i can still smell it.
Any ideas on which carbs are best? I am vegetarian, so no meaty ideas please!
March 6th, 2008 at 6:29 am
I also get strong ammonia odor in my nostrils – almost always in the shower after a workout. I’ve searched the internet and read about it being caused by low carb and/or high protein. Has anyone found any relationship to Gout? I have had episodes of gout in the past and these two thing seem strongly related. Gout is caused by the kidneys being unable to process protein, resulting in high uric acid levels in the blood. Also, people with kidney failure are known to have ammonia in the breath. Are all these thing somehow related?
March 7th, 2008 at 7:40 pm
Like Jake, I sense the ammonia smell the strongest in the shower after a workout (I’m guessing it is the steam that makes me smell it stronger). Anyway, there are A LOT of people who experience this phenomenon. And, in almost every case I read about it is after intense exercise. For example, I get it after hard cardio workouts. Went for 30 minutes on the elliptical machine today [4.3 miles & 560 calories burned), and I could smell ammonia almost immediately after I stopped. When my workouts are not so “strenuous” I don’t smell it.
I’ve had friends experience this ammonia smell as well. From what I can tell, this is nothing to worry about. We all could probably eat a little better and drink more water…at least I know I could! But, if it was a sign of kidney failure there would be a hell of a lot of people looking for kidneys.
We can diagnose ourselves all day, but nothing beats a routine physical. I feel confident, as a layman, in saying, “There’s nothing wrong with you.” You’re working out hard, and that’s great. But, getting a few diagnostic tests for a physical is never a bad idea.
Relax people. We’re not all suffering from kidney failure.
March 10th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
I am glad I am not the only one getting the amonia smell while showering after working out. I get it after running and after rowing on an ergometer especially if I do it for a half hour or more.
I am not sure about the protein thing because I eat many carbs. Also the reason I came to this forum tonight was because I just finished a workout and the smell was powerfully strong. In fact for dinner tonight I had lots of rice. I also eat lots of whole grain bread. I wasn’t the only one who could smell it either. My girlfriend smelled it. I had to get out of the shower and bathroom fast because it was causing me to cough.
I suspect it has something to do with the soap as the smell gets stronger when I use the factory made facial soap. I use two different soaps a natural one and a store bought one. When I use the store bought facial one the ammonia odor becomes over powering. There might be some kind of chemical reaction going on here with the chlorine or other additives in the water, the ingredients in the sweat after a heavy workout and the ingredients in factory made soap. I do use a shower filter though.
March 10th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
Jake, yes I have experienced gout like symptoms in the past but currently I do not so maybe there is a relationship there. I think it just has to do with not being 100% in your fittest form yet working out like you think you are. The more months I have been working out and the better shape I am in I don’t smell the amonia so much.
March 13th, 2008 at 3:21 am
I haven’t seen babies’ diapers specifically mentioned here. In the “olden” days, before Pampers and the like, soiled diapers went into a diaper pail. When retrieving them at laundry time (after a few hours) opening that pail was sure to release a blast of ammonia scent.
I have always thought the ammonia smell that is apparent in the shower (after gardening, walking, etc.) was from my head getting sweaty under my hair and then reacting sorta like those wet diapers inside that increasingly damp pail.
Gross — but what do you think?
March 19th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I smell ammonia in my nose during/after working out, sometimes when I’m bending down, and outside with the cold air. I didn’t notice until about a year ago after I had quit smoking.
I also get sinus infections often. Wonder if it’s related…
Glad I’m not alone and hopefully it’s nothing serious and just something some people experience.
March 23rd, 2008 at 6:06 pm
I never get the smell in my nostrils, but it’s in my sweat and on my clothes after a workout at the gym.
A lot of people have assumed that limiting carbs will cause this, but I think too much protein in the diet could possibly be the cause. If you consume too much protein then it must be eliminated, and sweating it out is another way of getting rid of it.
This would explain why some people who experimented with increasing carb intake before workouts had no success. Perhaps reducing the daily protein intake could be the solution.
Personally I eat plenty of carbs before and after workouts and drink plenty of water but still stink of ammonia.
March 28th, 2008 at 4:36 pm
Hello, I am worried, No one seemed to know why? but I smell nomonia in food..I do not work out but I am very active.. I though alot of food away because I dont want my son to eat it because it smells like nomonia and I worry but no one smells like me but dont want to take the chance….
March 29th, 2008 at 2:52 am
Ok so after reading a ton of information on this, I’ll let you know my scenario.
I work out every day for a law enforcement academy. We run one mile and a half in less than 14 minutes, followed by a calisthenics work out for about 30-45 minutes. Which makes me believe the whole “Burning of Muscle = Ammonia” concept. I’m a larger male 5’10 at 204 pounds, and despite the tremendous amounts of working out we do, I feel weaker each day and my muscles only appear “leaner” not larger as when I used to lift weights. Causing me to believe I’m burning off most of my muscles b/c I don’t eat breakfast before working out.
I, like a good amount of others, sweat VERY heavily after all this is done. My shirt (cotton) is completely soaked. After stopping the work out, I can strongly smell what can only be described as urine in my sweat all over my body. – AKA ammonia smell.
I haven’t had anyone else comment on me smelling worse than anyone else, but to me the smell is HORRID. The smell stays strong even after all sweat has evaporated and my shirt is changed. A shower afterwards with soap results in no more scent.
After reading this, you guys got me interested…So I just smelt my gym shirt from earlier today and.. No odor?! The shirt smells like the slightest amount of body odor and almost completely like deodorant.
Maybe this ammonia scent that we detect is actually the more primal function of our noses functioning. After all, we are supposed to be attracted to pheromones more so than almost anything else. Lol.
April 13th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
OK one more testimonial along the same lines of: thank god I found this site confirming that I (and only I) smell a strong ammonia like smell after a long run or workout in the shower. To make this clear to anyone reading this far down there are clearly two different ‘post workout ammonia smells.’ 1.) Sweat that has ammonia like smell. This is NOT what ‘we’ are talking about. I’ve coached wrestling, I know what this smell is, smelly ammonia sweat is real, but it is not what we are talking about. My clothes do not smell like ammonia, my wife can’t smell the ammonia on my still soaking shirt, nor my kids, nor my brother, only myself, and I can’t smell it on me (or my clothes) it is only in my nose. 2.) The perception of an ammonia smell, after an intense, must be intense, workout deep in the nostrils. It is very clear while one is smelling this that it only in your own nose (I don’t know why but this is clear, at first I, like others, thought maybe the gym cleaned with bleach or ammonia or something, but quickly realized it wasn’t an environmental or external odor but something internal, maybe even psychological, the sensation of smell need not originate solely from environmental odors is well documented.)
Now I like the baker guy’s (#44) theory about the water acting with nitrogen, but, if this is the case, others should be able to smell it, correct? This is a great mystery if I am correct and only the person who actually runs/works out can smell it. Unfortunately the scientific process is difficult here as I doubt I’ll recruit volunteers to sniff me in the shower after I work out, even my wife and brother draw the line somewhere.
April 14th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
HEY! THIS IS ASTOUNDING. I AM COMPLETELY AMAZAD I HAVE JUST Thinked I have epilepsia or psychosis or some like that. My conclusion: Ammonia is a gas it is released in minimal ammounts trough mucoses , the little bit is releases on noses mucoses You think you smell like pissed by a horse However that is actually only a little bit of ammonia released just on mucoses of nose. Only you can smell it because it is right there in your nose. Nobody can smell it. Yes may be it is the breakdown of proteins (may be you are insulin resistant you burn protein still eating carbos) I haved this problem several years ago. Now I know what it was. The solution is relax, to drink some drink like gatorade . Just in case go to a doctor
April 16th, 2008 at 3:18 am
I hesitate to ask but….
I not only have this ammonia phenomena in my nose but sometimes, mostly at night, and only when I am in a relaxed mode, I seem to smell a sorta cigaretty odor. It is rather illusive and I can never get a full on sniff that would enable me to track it to the source. And, I can’t give it a specific label — it just “vibrates” my nose in the same place that cigarette smoke wafting by my head does. (No one has ever smoked in our home — purchased new, 10 years ago — so it’s not residual odor.) My husband doesn’t ever smell it. I ceased questioning him about it years ago.
Anyone?
April 22nd, 2008 at 9:49 am
Glad to know I’m not alone!
I was recently diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes (the diet and exercise-controlled kind), and had a full blood panel done to make sure that I was otherwise healthy, and my kidneys are working well. I was told to drastically reduce my carb intake (I have dangerously high blood sugar if I don’t control it), and exercise as much as possible. I’m also taking Metformin to help control my blood sugar.
Now, I notice the ammonia smell in my nose when I work out (not my sweat) when I have been exercising for a while (I don’t sweat much, either). It lingers for as much as a few hours afterwards, even with a hot steamy shower. I have actually had to reduce the intensity of my workouts because I the ammonia smell is so overwhelming. When it is especially strong, I also feel a little light-headed.
I drink lots of water, eat a healthy balanced diet (all natural foods, vitamins, etc.), and have an active lifestyle.
It would be nice to know what is causing this! My theory is that our bodies eliminate a lot of toxins when we sweat (including the by-products from burning excess blood glucose, in my case), and that the scent receptors deep inside our noses are especially sensitive to this. And our bodies continue to burn a lot of calories and fuel for quite a while after we stop excercising. I have read a lot about ammoniatic sweat after hard excercise. Maybe those of us who notice it only in the nostrils are having the same thing happen, but it isn’t concentrated enough in our sweat to produce an external odor?
I have noticed that I have better luck with a few lighter workouts per day than I do with just one big workout per day.
Hope we can find an answer! 🙂
April 22nd, 2008 at 10:01 am
Hey, I think I might have just found the answer! Check this out:
http://www.devinesports.com/Article.7+M5892d0e6168.0.html?&cHash=ed66b943ea
That would definitely explain why this smell in my nose is more noticeable now that I have reduced the carbs in my diet. Guess I should be more careful about balancing my diet and exercise!
Hope that helps some other people! 🙂
April 29th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I wanted to respond to Judith, #47, if she is still checking this site. I too am on prednisone for Sheehan’s syndrome and just tonight was excercising- only jogging for 20 minutes (more than I normally do), and I got that amonia smell. I never had it before, so I think it may be a good possiblity that the prednisone is causing ours or enhancing it. Don’t know????
May 6th, 2008 at 3:32 am
Many write that they experience “The Smell” after an INTENSE workout. I just walk — not INTENSELY — but most days I do get VERY sweaty. Doesn’t that indicate it is related to the SWEAT, not the vigor with which one moves to cause the sweat?
My ammonia fragrance only becomes apparent when I start washing my hair. An earlier poster mentioned steam intensifying the odor — I think that’s true for me.
Wish we could get some medical professionals to chime in on this. Wouldn’t we be helpful to a researcher somewhere?
May 31st, 2008 at 10:15 am
I have experienced this smell for many years, most often after workouts of any type lasting longer than 30 minutes. The first time I noticed it was when I rinsed out a shirt I had drenched with sweat. As soon as the shirt hit the water there was an astounding smell of ammonia (definitely ammonia, not urine or sweat). Since I don’t often rinse my clothes in the sink after workouts these days, I now notice it mostly as I step into the shower. I’m guessing it is produced when the water mingles with my sweat.
I really can’t tell you if the smell is only in my nose, because I haven’t had the courage to ask anybody else to try to smell my nose when this occurs. Really, how can anybody say if the smell is only in their nose? How would it be different if the smell was somewhere else? Do you all mean that no one else can smell it, or what? I only use my nose to detect smells, not my hands or ears. Anyhow, I have definitely smelled it when I placed my nose in the proximity of a sweat soaked shirt that I rinsed in the sink.
June 12th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
The swimmer who commented earlier, and the fibromyalgia patient were on the right track. This is all CHEMICAL OVER-EXPOSURE related. Yes, when you alkalize your body and eat more carbs, your kidneys and liver are better able to process them. But Chemicals are trapped in ALL of our fat cells (adipose tissue) Working out causes the body to release them and they’re more than the kidneys can handle. So it get’s rid of them any way it can, through the pores, in the bloodstream…etc.
How many of you commenting have a regular work-out routine including swimming, or spend alot of time in a hot-tub? I have a feeling it is a high percentage.
I have smelled the same smell on some of my hockey team-mates from a distance, and they ALL have pools and hot-tubs. I was just so over-exposed all at once that I am able to KNOW emphatically the cause.
As for the solution, still working on that one.
June 25th, 2008 at 5:09 pm
Dr Thomas Stuttaford, who answers health questions on “The TIMES” wrote an answer regarding the question of sweat smelling like urine. He states that sweat contains steriod compounds especially the 16-androstenes. Bacteria acts upon the sweat and breaks it down thereby producing the different smells. The greater the amount of androstene in a person’s sweat, the more potential the person has for having strong smelling sweat. If there is a predominance of androstenone, the sweat develops a smell of urine. On the other hand if the sweat contains a predominance of androstenol, the sweat tends to smell musky.
June 26th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
Hey guys and gals! Does this make sense? Perspiration is usually acidic. If ammonia is excreted in sweat, it would be in the NH4+ form. When NH4+ reacts with basic soap, a proton (H+) from the ammonia combines with the OH- of the soap and forms water and NH3 gas is released. Is this why some of us sense the strong ammonia smell in the shower after extended exercise? After an extended exercise event, I plan to shower with our acidic water and sense whether I get the ammonia smell. I expect not.
June 30th, 2008 at 6:11 am
Like post no.55 I experience the same thing. I notice this problem throughout the day it’s the worst in the morning when I wake up-I wake up congested. It goes beyond my nostrils, it seems as though it is coming from my throat. I have a post nasal drip, (sinus problems as some have mentioned),I use a saline wash along with Zyrtec and it’s still there. I also suffer from acid reflux disease, (similiar to what some have mentioned)I take Nexium everyday and still it remains. I work out, but I don’t do a lot of running (mostly weight lifting). I ran track for about 7 years, but that was over 10 years ago so… I’m pretty sure that I eat a healthy combination of carbs and protein(sports drinks, plenty of water included). I’ve seen my doctor a number of times and had full physicals-blood work, chest x-rays, the works and everything comes back fine. Unlike most of you I think the odor goes beyond just me, I think others may detect it as well. My doctor has checked me and says that she can’t smell anything.
I think it may be related to my reflux and wether or not I have an empty stomache. If you think about it when you excercise you burn your fuel an empty your stomache, (and with reflux your stomache should never be empty, cause of the acid)and your body may be craving those carbs. Also I’ve noticed that same exact smell outside, it seems like it could be pollen that we are inhaling and then excreting through our sweat or nose. I will try to amp up my carbs and see what happens. I am going to have my sinuns cavity flushed out as well and I will go in for a full endo?-(that thing where they sedate you and put a camera down your throat;-)). Well I will check back and report any new findings.
July 3rd, 2008 at 5:05 am
After ten years of night sweating my ‘cat urine’ smell was diagnosed as a declined kidney functions due PKD1. BUN test shows excessive amount of nitrogen in blood. If kidneys cannot handle the load of nitrogen, then the nitrogen will be excreted as ammonia in sweat.
The other factor to consider is water intake. The methods used for getting rid of excess ammonia, such as urine and sweat, all require water as a transport mechanism. If you are not getting adequate fluid, then the solution (ammonia + water) will not be diluted. Therefore, water plays a definite role. If you are not drinking enough fluids to have at least one or two clear urinations every day, you should drink more.
I’ll will try on extra carbs and see what happens. It makes sense as for the ammonia smell – this is just the smell of amino acids being “burned” in your body. You need to supply the fuel that your body prefers – the fuel that can be easily broken down to glucose in order to supply energy to your muscles and your brain – carbohydrates!
An apple a day can help keep the ammonia smell away!
July 18th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Will 87. and 88. please report the findings of their “experiments?” Thanks.
July 18th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
I am 39 years old, i am 5’3 and weigh about 115. I am in really great shape after having my second child 9 months ago. Ive been working out hard (4 to 5 days a week for about 9 months since my daughter was born.} I am a recovered bulemic, and careful about what I eAT (I drink wine regualrly however) . I have always been athletic and still am, but recently my BUN score was extremely high after some blood tests and I reak of amonia after every workout…………..i sweat like a pig and my clothes stink? Do I have kidney failure…………or something? please help
July 19th, 2008 at 7:42 pm
Glad to have found this string. I am not a particularly healthy person; I don’t eat a balanced diet, I smoke and I am overweight by at least 10 pounds. From the time I was young, when doing any intense exercise I do not sweat very well. My face, however, becomes beet red and feels extremely hot; as if all the heat has become trapped. For the past three years I have taken long bike rides with my son; at least an hour long. I used to live on the east coast and was able to go 10 miles in that hour. On occasion, not always, I would smell the ammonia; I thought it was due to my smoking habit but since most of you here seem to be very health concious, I don’t think that anymore. I have moved south and with the heat I am only riding about 6-7 miles in that same time frame. The rides are definitely more intense for me because of the temperature. I drink about 32 ounces of water during the ride, but the ammonia smell afterward is much more pungent than it used to be. The smell does intensify once I get in the shower but then dissipates within an hour. I have never asked anyone if they were able to smell it on me but it does not seem to be evident in my clothing. I too have nasal issues. I am usually a mouth breather during exercise and have to conciously remind myself to breathe through my nose during exercise. Not sure if all these factors are a cause, but at least now I know I am not alone. I don’t swim or have a hot tub, so I can’t attribut the odor to pool chemicals.
July 26th, 2008 at 7:08 am
I couldn’t be more relieved too that many others share a similar experience! At first I thought there was ammonia in my bowl of steaming yellow noodles and so refused to eat it. The sharp distinctive odour is simply unmistakeable. A friend next to me gamely smelt the noodles but said she only smelt the ghee in it. The only salient dietary change i’d made in the past 48 hours was a large dose (13,000mg) of liquid collagen (a protein) which i had taken before falling asleep at almost 2am in the morning. I also happen to have perennial allergic rhinitis (a form of sinusitis) so i would have thought that it could be a confluence of factors resulting in the effect…
July 31st, 2008 at 10:34 am
Hi there. Well, I don’t excercize nearly enough, other than dog-walking and I’ve been experiencing the ammonia odor in my nostrils for the last few months. Not daily, but often after a bath and sometimes just randomly. I believe that I eat enough carbs. I too was concerned that this could be a brain chemistry issue. Now, after reading these posts, I’ll try to drink more water and see what happens. Thanks for the help.
August 25th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I have noticed this for years after a hard cardio session! My sweat does not smell, just a smell of what I thought smelt of vinegar but I suppose ammonia is more like what it is. I thought it was just something that my brain thought it smelt and was not actually there but the article mentioned earlier seems to explain everything http://www.devinesports.com/Article.7+M5892d0e6168.0.html?&cHash=ed66b943ea I don’t think there is much to worry about, if it is just happening after hard excerise, if it happens without much excercise then I would say get yourself a good check-up from your doctor and explain to him what you have read on this site.
August 26th, 2008 at 5:36 am
I am overweight and have Fibromyalgia. I am on narcotic pain releivers and have notice profuse sweating that smells like ammonia/or chlorine bleach. It is only after a shower I get short term relief. I will be asking my M.D. about this, but has anyone with my condition experience this? I do not excersize, although I should. The sweating makes it very unpleasant.
August 28th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Can anyone answer my question #95? I would greatly appreciate it as my doctor seems to be at a loss as to the answer.
September 2nd, 2008 at 10:00 pm
I am one of the “only in my nose” ammonia smellers. Don’t really know how to explain it, but that comes the closest. I have been training really hard the last few months, running twice a day, most days. I started noticing this smell a couple of weeks ago when my doctor put me on prednisone for severe allergies. I noticed a couple other people on prednisone had similiar comments and I am wondering if maybe there is a connection. I am not too worried although today I felt like I was going to pass out after my second run of about 7 miles and smelled ammonia really strong. I also eat a ton a carbs so don’t really think that is the problem. Any other people who have taken prednisone noticed anything?
September 5th, 2008 at 6:29 am
I have smelled this for years after 20+ mile bike rides. I always thought that it had something to do with shampooing my hair. After reading this page, I repeated the experiment. I found that I smelled a slight ammonia odor after my ride, no odor as I rinsed my hair in the shower, and then a strong odor as I shampooed my hair. Anybody with similar results?
September 5th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
This all started after drinking olny 100% Organic cranberry juice for 24 hours for 7 days. I smell like ammonia but unlike many of you it’s being released out of my vagina. Regardless of what I’m doing, walking, running or sitting, if I’m sweating down there, I can smell it. The more I sweat, the worse it gets. I gets worse after working out for short or long periods. My doctor thought I had a bacterial infection or too much flora (good bacteria). I was given metronidazol but that didn’t help. It’s been three months now and its driving me crazy.
September 9th, 2008 at 6:44 am
Hi All! I have the same problem: Smelling ammonia deep in my nose after intense workout, during shower or steam bath and when it’s hot and I get into my car.
I carboload, eat lots of protein, drink lots of H2O and stick carbofuel in my hydration system to no resolve. Super frustrated… my dr. thinks I am a hyperchondriac and I am beginning to think so myself.
Just wondering if any of you also get migraines or aura. Or even cluster headaches. I have new symptoms to my migraines and am wondering it it, too, is part of it.
September 17th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
You have no idea what a relief it is to find this thread! I have only just started experiencing this within the last couple of weeks. I am not a heavy runner, but I do spend about an hour and a half a day on my treadmill (speed-walking). Last week I started getting this chemical smell about 10 minutes after my workout. I didn’t really think of it as ammonia, but I was too freaked out about it to think very hard, especially when everyone else in my house said they couldn’t smell it! It’s happened 3 more times since then, though once it happened while I was driving (I’m embarrassed to say I was alone and therefore singing rather exuberantly/loudly along with the radio – that’s when I smelled it! Be nice, now! ;)) I saw my doctor today, and he thinks it’s nothing to worry about because I’m not getting any other symptoms. He’s sending me to see an ear/nose/throat specialist and getting me in for either a CT scan or an MRI. I also had a sinus x-ray today. The doctor did say that he runs vigourously, and while he doesn’t experience anything like this, if he pushes himself too hard, 10-15 minutes after he stops he gets a sneezing fit that he can’t control. Probably not related, but isn’t it funny how these things seem to affect people’s sinuses? Anyway, I hope I’m just experiencing what you all are – I think I eat enough carbs, but if I have to increase it, that’s okay. I love pasta! 🙂
September 29th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Today was the first time I’ve ever noticed this. I went to a bikram yoga class and had to sit out half of the poses because I could smell such a strong ammonia scent that it made me feel nauseous. It was VERY VERY strong. I was convinced my cat must have pissed all over my towel I was standing on. Now I’m reading all of these posts and now I think the lack of carbs thing might be my case. I felt really weak after class and could hardly walk home. That has never happened before. Also, recently I haven’t been eating as much as I should be. I am very educated about foods and I make sure to stay away from processed, GMO, and non-organic consumables. So..I don’t think it could be “chemicals” from food flavorings. I hope it is the carb issue because it alarmed me quite a bit. What kind of foods should I be eating if I want to gain weight? I don’t want to keep tapping into my muscle for energy.
September 30th, 2008 at 8:54 pm
I wouldn’t really describe the smell I experience as ammonia. I get a strange unpleasant smell after I run on my treadmill in the basement and then get into the shower. I have, as many do, started and stopped working out several times over the past few years and I have noticed it the last few stints that I have been working out.
To me the smell reminds me of once when I had a clogged pipe in my house and I used some draino. It created fumes. I thought it was the drain in the shower that I was smelling but I only smell it after an intense cardio workout.
October 1st, 2008 at 11:00 am
I am not a runner like most of the people here on this forum and I am not in shape either. I wanted to post here because I am morbidly obese, and I also experience the ammonia smell after I exersize. If anyone else is obese and smells the ammonia, you are not alone! That said… I wanted to find out what this was and this sight popped up on google first. When I was in high school I played tennis and remember wondering what the smell was and over the years I’ve continued to notice this. Being the weight that I am, it is hard for me to believe that I am not consuming enough carbs. I have always figured my carb intake is what has allowed me to gain this weight. I do not eat sugar. I use one splenda packet a day with my one cup of coffee. I only drink water than coffee. I do not eat out unless its a special occasion. But we are italian and typically eat lots of pasta for dinner, sandwhiches for lunch, and oatmeal/cream of wheat for breakfast. Wouldn’t anyone think that’s a lot of carbs? It’s the protein my family and I don’t get enough of. We do not eat red meat so when chicken gets old I get creative with beans. And I’m a little distressed that the ammonia smell means I am burning my muscle instead of my more than ample fat storage! I am very grateful to post #21 for the website and perhaps eating an apple before I exersize will help. Along with increasing my water intake, which I know I need to do anyway.
October 3rd, 2008 at 8:49 am
The “ammonia smell in my nose” is from protein/amino acid breakdown and, specifically, from the oxidative deamination of glutamate. It happens when you’ve burned off all your glycogen. Low intensity excercise uses a little glycogen to help you utilise fat as your main energy source. High intesity exercise uses more glycogen and less fat. But when you have no glycogen left, you can’t burn fat … hence, if your glycogen levels are low and you use up the remaining stores, then your body will burn protein … the ammonia usually ends up in urea and in your urine but if you are producing alot in a short period of time, then it can end up in your blood stream and, because it’s volatile, can be emmitted in yout lungs … hence the “smell” isolated in your nose.
Common for people who do morning runs and who ahven’t carbed up the evening before.
October 6th, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Glad to find this site (the only one I could find) with others experiencing the “only in the nose” ammonia smell. This just started for me within the last few weeks. I don’t work out and don’t eat particularly well. The smell only occurs in the shower and ONLY WITH SOAP regardless of any exercise, though I am a night-sweater. For me, it absolutely seems soap related (like #69). The only question is why all of a sudden? I pretty much have used the same kind of standard soap forever so it suggests that something is changing within my skin. So many folks on this board mention the shower, but almost all did not mention whether the smell was triggered with the soap or shampoo. Can anyone else comment on this?
October 23rd, 2008 at 10:19 pm
I have recently for the first time experienced an ammonia smell which seems to come from my sinuses. I am 40 years old, 6’2″ 215lbs. I am about ten days into a fairly intense weight loss program and have begun to exercise more. For me the sensation definitely comes from my sinuses. It lasts only twenty or thirty seconds.
October 28th, 2008 at 12:18 am
We’ve been discussing this issue for 2 years! i still haven’t seen a definitive answer. How can we get an expert to jump in here and tell us what is really going on?
October 28th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
Hi,
I found this site because I was searching “androstene” which I believe is the word given to the condition of someone when they sweat profusely and it smells of urine. I believe it could indicate a diabetic problem and so you should see a GP. I have found whenever I frequent a gym and after a heavy workout all of us ladies smell of sweat but it’s a sweet smell and not that offensive, but my husband is sweating a lot from the head and his pillow in the mornings smells like the cat has pee’d on it. We have 8 cats so that wouldn’t surprise me in the least however I know it’s not them and it’s my husband who is causing it. I find it very off putting and don’t know how to tell him. I’m normally not at all frightened of telling my hubbie about stuff that embarrasses me about him (:-)) but on this subject I can’t. I have therefore decided to visit the Doctor with him on Thursday and I shall discuss it with them there – together. I worry because my husband is on Mycophenolate mofetil which is a cyto-toxic drug with not very nice side effects and so I wonder if this is just another side effect of this drug. I shall let you guys know soonest. Brilliant site by the way.
All the best,
November 3rd, 2008 at 6:51 pm
I have also been getting the same amonia smell after running about 10km. I first thought it was my shampoo, or water but it seems to be the strongest in my hair, I have smelled under my arms and it’s completely different sweat smell. I would really like to find out what this is. I’m glad I’m not the only one.
November 17th, 2008 at 11:34 am
About five months ago I had an “episode” where I couldn’t deal with light or noise, and was feeling nauseous and unbalanced. I’ve had MRI’s CAT scans, neurological tests, ENT, etc. Finally diagnosed with some sort of migraine however I don’t have actual headaches. #100 (Julie) post caught my eye as for about two months now I will smell ammonia. But for me it is not at all related to working out but I do notice it in the shower.
I do work out but not running however carbs are my favorite food group and I drink a couple of gallons of H20 a day. But the smell can occur while standing in line in a store, in a meeting, just sitting in my office, and in the shower. I searched and found this site and now wonder if it could be related to the ENT area or migraines. This is all so weird for me. Becoming rather vampirish as I can’t stand the bright sun.
Will bring this up with my next neurogolical visit but I suspect I’ll be told it is not related. So Julie, if you read this let me know if you have had your migraine a long time, and is it more typical with the horrible pain, or just more visual with wavy lines, spots and the sensivity to light and sound.
December 2nd, 2008 at 4:46 pm
I’ve been having this awful smell in my nose for months now, when I smell my hair it smells like amonia. I thought it was my condo (old)but when I went to my son’s out of state I smelled it again. I asked him if I was smelling (I’ve been taking at least 2 showers daily) he laughed and said no. The Dr’s I’ve seen just want to give me antibiotics and thats it. I don’t understand whats going on, so I guess we’ll just have to live with it and go on.
December 2nd, 2008 at 9:02 pm
I am a 34 year old female and run 2-3 miles every morning before work. I’ve been doing this for about 6 months now and experience the ammonia smell only in my nostrils, after each workout. It is extremely intense when I turn the shower on in the bathroom, even before even getting in, but is gone about 3/4 the way through my shower. I notice that it is completely gone after I wash and condition my hair (not sure if that has anything to do with it).
I drink plenty of water – my urine is rarely not clear, so I don’t think it has anything to do with water (for me anyway). I eat a good balance of carbs and protein, so I am at a total loss…It’s so good to hear that I am not the only one – I was beginning to think there was something freakishly wrong with me!
December 9th, 2008 at 10:38 am
Hey guys…yet another victim of a nasty ammonia smell in my sweat. Except with me everyone can smell it too. Sometimes I even taste it! That’s disgusting!I get this smell whenever I workout. Most of my workouts are indoors. From my own research I am reading it is caused by not enough fat/carbs in my diet and/or not enough water. However I am a carbohydrate freak and drink drink close to 2 gallons of water a day! So I am perplexed why this continues to happen?? No one seems to know what causes it. I have exercised my whole life and it wasn’t until earlier this year the smell first started. The human body is perplexing to say the least. I wish I knew why!
December 13th, 2008 at 3:10 pm
I too get this potent smell in my nose after workouts. It smells like bleach of maybe a strong perfume. I am the only one that can smell it and it can last for an hour or so after workouts. Has anyone figured out the cause? I am a type 1 diabetic. I never had this problem before I had diabetes. I do eat carbs before my workouts and hydrate thoughout my workouts. Iwould love to hear what others think.
December 26th, 2008 at 2:30 am
Part of what Lisa said on October 28th, 2008 at 12:03 pm was, “I worry because my husband is on Mycophenolate mofetil which is a cyto-toxic drug with not very nice side effects and so I wonder if this is just another side effect of this drug. I shall let you guys know soonest.”
So Lisa… what did you find out?
Thanks.
January 4th, 2009 at 7:22 pm
I have a weird problem, which is hard to explain but I try my best to explain it, when I smell sweet I feel wired and my eyes gets closed and I feel very very weak, that I can’t move for a few seconds. Recently my hearth rate goes higher and I have breathing problem as well for few moments. I went for my blood test and check ups and I didn’t have any diabetic problem but I am an allergic person (mostly to medications). what do you think my problem is?
January 5th, 2009 at 6:52 am
GO TO A DOCTOR. Don’t try to get a diagnosis from the Internet.
January 11th, 2009 at 12:51 pm
I’ve been experiencing this for years (20+), but it used to be only after relatively long runs (8+ miles) on hot days (when I’m sweating more) … AND, it was “only in my nose” and especially strong in the shower. However, over the last year or so, I’ve really stepped up my running mileage, and my long runs are 25-31 miles. And now, it is absolutely in my sweat and not only can others smell it, but at the healthclub (yes, 3-4 hours on the treadmill!), there smell is quite noticeable within 4-5 feet of me (my wife confirmed this, as well as a few scared off runners nearby… ha ha ha). I’m absolutely convinced this is nothing to worry about: I think the strength of the odor on longer runs with more sweating (and one mention of a technical shirt) has to do with the EVAPORATION of the WATER from the sweat, thus concentrating what is left on the skin and shirt … thus longer run, more sweating, more evaporation will result in more concentrated/stronger smell over time. I drink about a gallon of sport drinks and water on my long runs and take in about 250-300 calories per hour (which is all the body can realistically process during moderately intense exercise, by most accounts). I’ve decided not to be worried, and I’m the healthiest and in the best shape of my life … and I typically have to get off teh treadmill and pee twice during those 4 hour runs, so I’m not depleted (or at least as little as feasible on a 31 mile run). Doctors telling us we have kidney failure or some exotic disease are full of crap … it’s POSSIBLE of course, but “when you hear hoofbeats, think HORSES, not ZEBRAS”…
January 12th, 2009 at 5:46 pm
Thanks to everyone who has contriubuted here, although I’m not much clearer on why my (profuse) post-workout sweat reeks of ammonia! At least I’m in good company. I’m not overweight or on any kind of prescription medication, and I’ve found this problem to worsen as my fitness/lean muscle mass increases – go figure. My carb intake has dramatically increased over the holiday period, but this has had no effect so the ‘too much protein’ theory doesn’t really make sense to me, although I know my kidneys have had a pretty tough 30 odd years. I’ll keep checking in here, so please let us all know if you have come across an explanation/solution!
February 8th, 2009 at 10:45 pm
I have this problem just the opposite of some people. When I work out outside, not usually an issue. When I went through the POST academy, we ran up to 5-7 miles on work-out days and never had a problem. Then, I go to the gym and WALLA!!! With me, it almost seems as if it’s connected to calorie burn. On my Active Rest days, it doesn’t seems near as bad. But, on intense work-out days, I start smelling it when I hit about 500-600 calories burned. It seems to increase from there. After reading the article posted quite a ways back about the Amino Acid burn/ nitrogen excretion, that seems to me as the most likely culprit. My only struggle, like alot of you, is that it does seem that only I smell it. I mean my ex-wife would tell me I was stinky after my work-out, but never mentioned an ammonia smell. The smell seemed to intensify when I showered. I used to think it was because of a strange reaction with the brand of shampoo I used, but then I smelled it at the gym too. Then I thought it was a reaction with the soap used to wash the towels they offer at the gym. Just kinda odd that I would have the reaction in both places. Thanks for this website. It helped give me some answers.
February 17th, 2009 at 6:53 am
I started cardio exercise in August of ’08 at a gym. I have experienced the ammonia smell only twice. Once was last week and before that about a month ago. I kept looking around at others in the class and no one seemed to have noticed the intense odor. The next time it happens I am going to ask those around me if they smell it as well. I also have had the cigarettey kind of smell recently. But because I am a former smoker I thought the smell was in my head. I quit smoking 18 months ago. The smell is not strong like the ammonia smell, it is light and disappears quickly. I don’t know if they are related or separate issues.
February 20th, 2009 at 4:19 am
I revisit this site occassionally and was interested to see that cathy said she has had the “cigarettey” smell too… the ammonia being much stronger. Anyone else? This odor is not actually cigarettes and is exceedingly illusive. By the way, I had it every day for two years or so but not at all in the past few months. ???
February 28th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
I have just answered this question for the website: VegFamily.com.
I am a registered dietitian. You are right on track with needing more carbs and watching fluid intake. I would ensure potassium intake also. You can increase carb and potassium intake by eating dates before your workout.
Those of you who are vegans or vegetarians still can need to have sufficient carbs. And remember, we have put foods into narrow categories of carbs, protein, fats that don’t truly describe them.
In reality, nuts have fat, protein and carbs. Fruit has carbs, fat and protein, as with vegetables. Beans have carbs, protein and fat. Grains have protein, carbs and fat. Dairy has carbs, protein and fat. It is the balance of each that segments them into a narrow macronutrient category.
But everything, practically, except meat products have all three macronutrients. We need to realize when a food is more than the dominate aspect and foods work symbiotically.
March 2nd, 2009 at 9:34 pm
I started participating in Bikram Yoga about a month ago. I sweat profusely during the 90 minute workout and have a strong ammonia smell in my sweat. I take in a lot of carbs during the day and not so much protein. The last thing I want to do is take in MORE carbs. My diet sucks at the best of times and I eat mostly chocolate. So, is this dangerous to be dipping into the protein? Should I be drinking a high carb drink before I work out?
March 10th, 2009 at 7:31 pm
I get this ammonia smell in my nose after running, but I believe it could be a reaction between head sweat and hair gel. It doesn’t make sense that I am burning dietary protein when there is always fat to burn and I am doing aerobic endurance exercise.
March 17th, 2009 at 8:42 pm
Hi, I’m Bipolar and have to eat a protein rich diet. I suffer with the ammonia smell after a 30 + minute run. It is most strongest around my collar. I am seeking to lose weight, and I keep my carbs down, to force mt body to burn reserves. After the workout, I consume as much protein I can eat to assist my body to recover. Due to this, I never ache the next day. The smell is caused by either a lack of water consumed, or the long cardio workout has burned up the carbs and is now breaking down amino acids to convert the nitrogen being excreted in to nitrogen/hydrogen = ammonia
March 17th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
One other thing, has anybody else noticed if they get the “joggers high” around the same time the body begins to excrete the ammonia? I have noticed that once my body has used up the carbs, and the proteins become the next fuel, I tend to get the “high”….weird huh…
April 6th, 2009 at 1:54 pm
Perhaps since many people are not finding the odor on their cloths as much as concetrated in their nostrils, it could be biproduct of respiration. Most people get these symptoms during prolonged cardio workouts.
April 12th, 2009 at 10:23 pm
I started noticing the ammonia smell some time after my doctor put me on blood pressure medication (Coversyl) I walk about 5 miles a day and up to that point had never smelled this before. I’m sure it is the medication, as I eat a lot of high carb foods and don’t believe that it could be the just the fact that all the carbs have been burned. I have plenty of excess body fat to be burned as well.
I have tried, without success, to talk my doctor into taking me off the medication temporarily to eliminate this possibility. He doesn’t think there is any reason to be concerned with the smell.
I noticed that someone else had mentioned that the scent seems to be predominently in the area of the back of the neck/collar of the shirt. I don’t notice the scent in other areas such as armpits etc.
I don’t see how this scent can be there without others noticing it, although it’s probably the same situation as the scent of urine shortly after eating asparagus, some of the population is unable to detect this unique scent.
Comments?
April 20th, 2009 at 12:24 am
I was recently diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. After talking to my hematologist about the ammonia smelling sweat, he told me this is a natural stress response in the human body(sort of like a skunk releasing that smell). People with autoimmune disorders are especially sensitive to stress, so this will happen if I have too much caffeine or strenuos exercise for an extended period of time. I once thought I could fly without taking valium and after almost having a panic attack, noticed that smell in my underclothes. Also, sweat that is not exposed to air seems more pungent. So maybe for all the runners that feel the need to run 10-20 miles-your brain may be saying GREAT! but your body may be wondering WHERE’S THE LION THAT’S CHASING ME? This doctor is highly respected and seemed to really know what he was talking about. He says it’s a temporary hormonal response to physical/emotional stress and should subside when the body feels calm. I hope this helps someone!
April 22nd, 2009 at 5:08 am
I get the metally / ammonia smell in my nostrills only, nobody else can smell it. I seem to notice it more whilst stretching off hamstrings and quads after running. I thought I was going mental until reading the posts here.
April 23rd, 2009 at 7:26 am
Yep. Same symptoms. Glad its nothing to be concerned with.
May 7th, 2009 at 10:38 am
Hi everyone. I was wondering if it was because I eat a LOT of broccoli? Could it be the natural repellant qualities in our food that cause a chemical reaction with our sweat? Any thoughts?
May 17th, 2009 at 7:39 am
Hello,
The common denomiator for a lot of these symptoms is people exercising and specifically some exercising in the morning. There are a couple of explanations that people have put forth that seem to go along with this and make perfect sense at least for the morning exercisers or those on low carb diets.
When you wake up in the morning your liver has burnt through most of the glycogen it has stored for energy. If you go workout w/out replenishing this glycogen then your body will turn to other things to use for energy. This can be the protein in your body and fat. Bodybuilders for years have done cardio in the morning for this very reason. Fat is more readily burnt doing cardio first thing in the morning on an empty stomach. (I’m not saying it’s the most healthy thing to do)
If you think about protein and what it’s broken down into (Amino Acids) a by product of this is process in ammonia.
I still whish we could get something in concrete from a PhD or a MD on this but I am convinced there are enough healthy people here that have the issue that it’s nothing to worry about.
May 17th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
JUST DEVELOPED THIS CRAZY CHLORINE/AMMONIA ODOR EMANATING FROM MY NOSTRILS, ABOUT A MONTH AGO.
HAVE NOT EXERCISED IN A LONG WHILE DUE TO BAD HIP, SO EXERCISE IS NOT A FACTOR IN THIS MATTER.
PRETTY SURE IT IS COMING FROM MY NOSE. I HAVE TAKEN A COMPLETE PHYSICAL, INCLUDING BLOOD WORK. EVERYTHING CAME BACK FINE; LIVER, KIDNEYS, ETC.
HAVE CALLED THE TOP SPECIALISTS IN THE FIELD OF EAR/NOSE AND THROAT, IN ADDITION TO GASTROENTEROLOGISTS, AND NO ONE HAD A CLUE AS TO WHAT IS THE CAUSE, IN ADDITION, TO EVER HAVING HEARD OF THIS.
I DID HAVE A HIP REPLACEMENT AND REQUIRED TWO BLOOD TRANSFUSIONS. AM WONDERING IF THAT MIGHT BE A CONTRIBUTORY FACTOR?
THANKS FOR LETTING ME KNOW THAT I AM NOT ALONE OR HALLUCINATING.
ANY NEW INSIGHTS OR ANSWERS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED FOR ALL OF US.
June 7th, 2009 at 8:44 pm
Wow. I’m surprised to find how common this is. For me, it started only recently, when the weather started getting hotter and I started sweating more. At first I thought it was bathroom cleaner. It subsides after about 5-10 min and I never smell it when exercising. The odd thing is, I used to do intense endurance activity (150-200 mile bike rides over 2 days) and never smelled it back then. Now, 10 years later, I get it when I walk the dog for an hour or ride the bike for 30 minutes. I never smell it while outside – only when I am inside the house. The low-carb thing does not make sense to me because I eat too may carbs. Could it be age related? I’m 41 and the last time I did an endurance bike ride I was 31. I’m wondering about the heat though because I have been walking the dog for an hour at a time, 5 days a week, since Feb and it’s only been the last 3 weeks since this has happened. Anyone else see similar reactions?
June 8th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
I have recently notices an INTENSE ammonia smell in my clothes after some time sweating (after I change them but before they are washed) — but not specifically in my nose or emanating from my body when I sweat. I live in Singapore which has extreme heat and humidity all year long. The ammonia smell is exceptionally intense if I am carrying my 3 year old daughter outside for a while (she weighs about 37-28 lbs.) in 90-degree heat and humidity of 75% or more. I suspect it is just bacteria on the clothes metabolizing the sweat. I am not a body builder and eat a relatively balanced diet, but I am not specifically health conscious.
June 11th, 2009 at 3:21 am
Might be a coincedence ( is that spelt right ) but I notice it more on hot days. Not in the sweat though, in the nostrils. After exercize rather than during. Often when stretching and sometimes showering.
June 20th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
In my 15 years of competitive track and field and cross-country, I must confess to not having any recollections of this ammonia smell. I definately remember, on occassions, tasting blood after a hard run though. But my strapper has detected this ammonia smell coming from the body of our racehorse (mare) upon returning to the tie-stall after she has just run a race. This was also the case with a gelding we raced. My take? Sweat is one way the body eliminates toxins. The lungs are another exit point. Physical activity stimulates cellular activity (especially muscular activity) resulting in a greater turnover of nutrients and following that of course is increased production of waste material. Muscles tear and repair and grow bigger and stronger with the workload – this is a natural process of a body responding to stress (bone adapts similarly). This muscular activity (intense work especially) is likely to create lactic acid in the muscles too and at the same time muscle tissue (protein i.e. nitrogen) is being broken down (muscle enzymes CPK and AST levels rise sometimes into the 1000’s after a very hard run and stress makes it worse). This material must be eliminated. Sweat carries it out. Nitrogen + an acid (H+) + water(sweat) = ammonia. Drinking more water and balancing this with electrolytes will dilute the intensity of the smell but I would bet (and I do have a bet) that perhaps taking 20g of sodium or potassium bicarbonate in 600ml-1000ml(2-4 glasses) of water an hour or two before a workout might eliminate or at least lessen the intensity of the odor. Please, I am not trying to reflect adversely on anyone but I would also like to bet that many if not most of you complaining of this “annoyance” are acidic AND to some degree rather dehydrated. A magnesium deficiency symptom is an increase in body odor(s). Also the amino acid l-arginine assists in detoxifying ammonia and along with the branched chain aminos(BCAA’s) might also be supplemented before a workout or race to spare muscle breakdown. Someone out there please try, if only, the bicarb treatment and give the community your feedback. Help and be helped I suppose.
June 25th, 2009 at 10:25 am
I REALLY wish the Lisa who posted here in October had sent in her results of the doctor’s visit. My boyfriend does not have the running/ammonia odor problem, but the night sweats that soak the bed and literally smell like a cat peed there. His daughter even asked to borrow a sleeping bag from me for camping because theirs smells like pee. I have never said anything (we’ve been seeing each other 9 months) because I don’t want to embarass him- I have just started changing the sheets as soon as we get up in the morning and not saying anything. (it is enough that the mattress has a smell now) BUT he doesn’t have this problem any time other than sleeping. Has ANYONE actually got an idea of what this could be? Impaired kidney function? I have no idea how to approach the subject with him! Help!
July 14th, 2009 at 4:43 am
I’ve noticed that during my 90 minute sessions of Bikram yoga (yoga in a heated room where you sweat bucketloads) which I’ve recently started doing on a daily or near daily basis, that I emit a strong ammonia smell. I thought this was to do with sweating out toxins and that I was sweating out chemical build up over the years. However, I rarely eat carbohydrates (bad I know) as I’m always trying to slim down, I’m a normal size and consider myself very healthy. After reading this, I think I will eat some carbohydrates as I don’t want to be damaging my muscles which it sounds like I am doing.
August 10th, 2009 at 9:40 pm
well guys, I don’t run, I just walk, well more like try and power walk, since I have a flat foot, I too was so worried because my family thought I was playing around, I usually just walk for about 40 min. hardly sweat since I eat way too much salt, and get home straight to the shower, and sure enough I get the smeel of ammonia. I just started walking again today, but about 2 months ago, I was walkng 2 miles for about 3 weeks or so till I hurt my foot, and I want to say that after the second week, the smell went away while I was taking a shower, but now is back. Has this happened to anyone else, that it’s there, goes and comes back? Thanks to all for taking the time to answer everyone’s questions.
August 15th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
My smell started when I was trying to loose belly fat.. I would eat hot and sour soup for a resturant and can soup from the supper market all soup.I ate soup 2-3 times a day.. and added rice for a filler. Thats when I noticed and still to this day if I eat somethig with alot of salt the next day and even when I wake up That I small in my arm pits. So cutthe salt if you can and see what happpens.
August 17th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
Wanna hear something really gross? Check this out: After my workouts — usually a combo of strength training and some cardio, but sometimes Bikram yoga — I put my sweat-soaked clothes in a plastic bag so I don’t stink up my car or house until I can get the clothes in the wash. Well, when I open the bag later, it is like opening a bottle of ammonia. It doesn’t just smell like ammonia; it IS ammonia, I have no doubt. Based on what I have read, my guess is that I am burning protein in my diet and converting it into ammonia. I’m on a protein-heavy diet, so a lot of the calories I consume come from protein, even though I still eat plenty of carbs. My guess is that once I burn through the carbs I’ve eaten, I start burning the protein. I hope to go on a strenuous hike tomorrow, so I plan to load up on carbs then bag my sweaty shirt afterward. We’ll see what happens.
August 23rd, 2009 at 9:44 am
Hello I finally had gotten to get in to see dr. However I thought something was wrong and they couldnt find it in my urine 2 weeks ago but went to a womans clinic and they did urine test and they found a touch of blood in urine So I went back to Dr. and they found white blood cells and some knd of Bacteria and had to send it in ( I live in small town) Then told me to go to a uralogest SP? and now well see what will happen I go Aug 31. 09 Ill let you know. Maybe it is a linked.. to all this
September 3rd, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I’ve had the ammonia smell in my sweat after running and after doing Bikram yoga. For me it always happens when I push myself beyond a certain limit. For instance, if I run on a very hot day to the point of overheating the smell seems to pour out of my hair as I shower afterward. The protein theory seems plausible. Very disturbing as you all know especially when seemingly no one else has a similar phenomenon! Thanks!
September 14th, 2009 at 5:25 pm
No! No! No!, I’m sorry but you’re all wrong. The real reason you folks detect such a strong odor of ammonia especially during a shower (chlorinated water!) is because of your unique metabolism; the metabolism of unsuspecting Alien-Human hybrids. Yes, I’m sorry to inform all of you poor people, that if you give off large amount of ammonia after physical exertion that it’s due to alien metabolism and that you, my poor friends, are unwitting progeny of human-alien hybridization. It also indicates for protein to energy metabolic pathway that is prevalent in true carnivores as opposed to omnivores and herbivores. OR it could be that you folks all carry latent trichomoniasis (and STD) infections which produces a very strong ammonia odor in the presence of soap and chlorinated water.
September 15th, 2009 at 7:09 am
This guy should do stand up.
September 15th, 2009 at 7:25 pm
Thank god for this site! I have noticed the same smell after running for 30 or more minutes.
As for the Sapien dude, he must have a lot of time on his hands. Maybe he should be out getting some physical activity.
September 16th, 2009 at 1:50 pm
Hi, here’s one to confuse you! Overweight vegan(!) Ammonia scent in my nose occasionally. Exercise is a word remembered from my past but haven’t seriously exercised for 10 years plus. Work is physical, but not over demanding. Any thoughts anyone? thanks.
September 19th, 2009 at 6:50 am
I would be interested in more discussion of the possibility that bacteria in workout clothes are contributing to the situation. The situation became worse with me when I started to work out multiple times in the same t-shirt before washing it; I would rinse the shirt and hang it to try but used no detergent. Now the odor seems particularly strong with that shirt when I sweat in it even if it has been washed. So there may be a household remedy in addition to the nutritional remedy: how to rid the t-shirt of ammonifying bacteria? (no bleach recommendations please, I don’t want a white t-shirt)
September 20th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Thanks for this website. I do yogic deep breathing & I was actually scared at the oddity of smelling ammonia only as i took deep breaths IN through the nose after a 45 minute power walk. (but not when smelling sweaty clothes!) I am 34 & haven’t exercised in years, but have jumped into 3 mile daily power walks. I was a 3 sport athelete in high school & never noticed this. I have plenty of body fat that could be burned, so this protein burning theory is a little suspect. Why my body would catabolize muscle instead of fat is a mystery. (& no, i didn’t eat protein before walking) I still haven’t seen a sufficient answer about the nostril only smell. That’s my mystery. My sweat smells, but not like ammonia. I only smell it when taking deep breathes in an upright position, not when smelling my armpits/clothes/etc. Where is the smell coming from- It is actually quite freaky & I am dying for an satisfactory explanation.
September 22nd, 2009 at 5:28 pm
I agree with Eric post 152…
I mega dose BCAA’s, diet is impeccable, am a 240 lb bodybuilder and realized lately I only get this smell after a VERY intense workout and or cardio session, when putting on my same old hooded sweatshirt with the sweaty tank top underneath soaking into it..
Had a new sweatshirt on today, diet remained the same so to speak, and I didn’t smell the strong ammonia smell.
For some, they may want to look into this and be at ease, for others who don’t think this may be the issue, go for a check up!
September 22nd, 2009 at 7:25 pm
I grapple, compete in Judo and Kendo. I used to mountain Bike race also. I have an extremely potent ammonia smell in my Gi after practice. It is a very strenuous and sweaty ordeal and I have been getting the ammonia smell in my nose during hard workouts for years. I just can’t seem to get enough carbs to curb this phenomenon.I just cannot put on the muscle I deserve after the suicide workouts I have been doing for 3 years now. I am on this site because I think this ammonia smell may have something to do with it.
November 21st, 2009 at 3:27 pm
Just adding data points here. I first noticed ammonia in my sweat when I bagged my Tae Kwon Do uniform and left it sealed in the back of my car for two days in the summer. Holy Schnikeys!! I almost knocked myself out with the stench. Then today (a couple years later) I did a new biking workout that was way over my head. I was anaerobic for close to 40 minutes. I was definitely short of water going in to the workout, so that maybe a cause. I had plenty of carbs. Thinking back, the stinky TKD uniform was after a particularly intense/sweaty session…SO:
I think the intensity has GOT to have something to do with this, because I work out “lightly” quite frequently and do not have the smell.
November 21st, 2009 at 3:28 pm
Oh… and BTW, it’s not just in my nose. 🙂
November 24th, 2009 at 1:41 pm
Another person here with the ammonia smell only in the nostrils and noticed in the shower after a run. WTH??? I’m a vegetarian and I eat tons of carbs, the night before, the morning before I run…carbs has nothing to do with it, I’m sure. I do not frequent pools or hot tubs. I have hyperthyroidism and reactive hypoglycemia. Also, I break out into rash and hives after intense workouts and have had to take heavy doses of supplements to keep this from happening.
November 29th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
I have it too once in a while. Typically after a hard workout but I only smell it briefly in the shower. I was hoping to confirm the anwser on this site but I see we are all still in the dark with no real conclusive answers.
For what it’s worth, my brother mentioned that a by-product of poor oxygen breakdown is ammonia.
December 5th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
I used to be overweight and have slowly lost the weight over a 5 year period. I am now in excellent shape and have noticed the smell recently in my clothing. My husband smells it too. I drink tea all day. Mostly white tea and herbal tea as well as green tea, but the caffeine levels are fairly low. I think I am very well hydrated. I eat a very high fiber diet including lots of fruits and vegetables and I do eat carbs, just not the starchy kinds. A few years my cat actually did pee in my opened gym bag so recently I suspected my cat had repeated his episode. It wasn’t so. I was wearing a sports bra that I had not washed. I had only walked the day before (5.5 miles). I didn’t think there was much sweat. I notice the smell to be worst in my dirty jog bras. I have a suspicion that since you aren’t supposed to put them in the dryer (intense heat should kill the bacteria) that there are lot of bacteria living in my jog bras despite being frequently washed. I am wondering if new bras will solve the problem. I am wondering if people are using underarmour or other work out gear and washing it and not drying it in the dryer. I tend to doubt I am breaking down muscle tissue. I am very muscular and have never felt better or more fit. I eat an apple every day and that makes no difference.
December 31st, 2009 at 3:00 am
My boyfriend’s workout clothes after a 30 minute intense spin session smell so strongly from ammonia that I thought my cats peed on them. They hadn’t cuz his clothes had never been brought to my house yet!
So as time went on, he did his laundry at my house. As I feared, my cats smelled them in my laundry basket and recently did pee on it to mark it with their scent. This was AFTER they were washed and dried in the dryer. Even though I hadn’t smelled it on his clothes after they were supposedly “clean”, the cats with their keen sense of smell could smell the ammonia/urine-like odor.
I noticed that he often didn’t allow the clothes to dry completely before putting them in his hamper, which I believed would cause bacteria/mold to proliferate and grow each time the clothes became wet again. Mold is difficult to move w/o bleach and we all know we don’t want to bleach our good workout clothes! So, I’ve come across a possible solution, and will post back to this site later after experimenting.
I’m going to try Odormute, which can be purchased on Amazon.com or in a local petstore. Odor Mute C – concentrate is a blend of natural enzymes that eliminates organic odors by chemically changing the source of odors including urine, feces, and skunk. Effective on all pet and animal odors. Concentrated-mix to the strength needed;
Personally, I have found Odormute to work better than any other cat urine remover, and I’ve tried several over the years — just check out the Amazon reviews. Just add a couple of tablespoons to a cup of warm water and stir to mix thoroughly for 5 minutes (per the instructions), then add to a full WARM load of clothes in the washer. Let it mix and then sit for a few hours, then let it run its cycle. Whether or not you put the clothes in the dryer has no effect which I’m sure will make many happy who do not want their expensive workout clothes superheated in a dryer.
If you have pet problems w/ carpeting as well, or a lot of clothes that you want treated, it would be most economical to buy the 5 pound size for $39.95, as this stuff goes fast. I cannot stress how great this stuff works on cat urine. I’ve had pet soiled clothes that sat for weeks until I found them, and after using this stuff, they were completely devoid of all smells and the cats never bothered the clothing again. I bet allergy sufferers would find this stuff a Godsend.
I haven’t tried it yet on his clothes, but will be doing so as soon as my Amazon order arrives,.. as I don’t want my cats making the laundry basket their new litterbox … AND! I do want my boyfriend to feel comfortable doing the laundry at my house whenever he wants! :-), especially since he does my laundry for me too!! What a guy!!
He’s also going to try eating/drinking some carbs before his workout as he works out on an empty stomach usually and doing the peroxide bath I’ll post next about.
January 15th, 2010 at 2:26 pm
Post 158 caught my eye–from Rachael who has hives and rashes after intense workouts. I have the same thing happen to me sometimes after aerobic exercise, but sometimes it’s so severe that it affects my breathing. My eyes, lips, mouth, and even armpits swell up and I have huge hives and welts on my upper torso. My peak flow drops from 350 to 100 in a matter of minutes. I hit it hard with albuterol and pray–trying to decide whether to call 9-1-1 [which I actually had to do once]. This has been happening to me to varying degrees for over three years. It doesn’t happen every time I exercise, and it doesn’t seem to be related to the time of year, or whether I’m indoors or outdoors, or whether I’ve eaten breakfast or not before I go–the only “constant” is a minimum of 15 minutes of aerobic exercise [except the one time it happened to a mild degree when I drank a cup of HOT WATER]. I’ve tried pre-medicating w/Benadryl or Zyrtec; doesn’t help. I tried taking Singulair–didn’t help. I have noticed the ammonia smell in the shower during these episodes, but I can’t recall whether I’ve smelled ammonia every time I’ve had a reaction–or whether I’ve smelled ammonia when I DIDN’T have a reaction. I am a 48-year-old woman who has been physically active since my teens. From my research, this is a real condition called exercise-induced analphylaxis. My allergist says we will probably never figure out what the problem is—so just carry an Epi-pen and work out with a buddy. I can’t believe there’s not a scientific explanation for my body’s antihistamine reaction to some chemical generated in my system during exercise! This MUST have something to do with body chemistry changes caused by the mix of aerobic and anaerobic exercise I’m getting. What chemicals are generated that are rising to a concentrated-enough level during my workouts to cause an antihistamine reaction? I have a PhD in chemical engineering but I don’t have education and training in all the metabolic processes, chemical reactions, and associated products and by-products induced by exercise. I want to run again—so I thank you for any insight you can provide!
January 20th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
This thread has made me feel a little better. I too have experienced this after a long run with a sprint finish. It happend in the shower. Smell/taste was in nostrals. I did not do a proper cool down and went directly to the shower. I also felt faint. Had to step out of the shower to sit on the toilet for a moment. I got up and looked in bathroom mirror and my face was pale. made the 911 call- figured i was stroking out! all cardiac test negative for any problem. I think my problem was 2 fold…1: no cool down- when running intensely arteries open up wide to supply more oxygen to leg muscles. When you stop your heart rate slows faster than these arteries close causing bood to pool in the legs and causes a loss of blood pressure. 2: i had burned up all carbs and hit the protein hard in the sprint. i also think the stress theory could have some merit.could have something to do hormones released— just too much crap in the blood for the kidneys to deal with. loved the alien post…..LOL….run like you stole it!
January 26th, 2010 at 7:16 pm
I have ammonia just in the nostrils with no exercise. I’m just getting off work when I smelled it. It could be stress. I also have sinus problems and have been taking prednisone for years. After reading all the posts I feel reassured that it is a normal body alert mechanism. I thought is was something in my house like toxic gas. Whew!
March 1st, 2010 at 3:43 pm
Helpful information in all the comments. I have experienced the same thing after a long and intense workout. I eat too many carbs but I still get this smell. I’m a fatty trying to lose weight and doing it quickly by exercising and lowering calories to 1800/day. I have had higher than normal blood creatinine levels for several years, high enough to be classified by my Dr. as having moderate kidney disease. However, I don’t have any other kidney problems.
The link of ammonia to protein and amino acids concerned me enough to contact my MD and nutritionist. They suggested adding carbs before exercise to eliminate the smell and that I shouldn’t be concerned by it. What doesn’t make sense is why my body wouldn’t use fat for energy. This is really what I’m after. Adding carbs to supply energy during my workout seems counter-productive when I’m trying to lose weight and burn fat.
March 11th, 2010 at 7:00 am
The smell of ammonia is very prominent in cancer patients, just go visit a cancer ward.
March 11th, 2010 at 7:54 am
I am glad that I came across this site as well. I have been smelling the ammonia for the past few weeks only and during a pretty intense elliptical workout. As soon as I begin to sweat which is about 7 minutes in, I start to smell it. After reading all the posts and suggested articles, I am somewhat relieved but will still mention this to my doc on my next visit.
March 11th, 2010 at 9:40 am
I do have a question for everyone though that I just thought of. Last weekend, I started to get very watery eyes which I have never had before. I chalked it up to maybe something in the air outside, but wonder now if it could be related to the ammonia smell after sweating. Anyone else have this issue as well? Thnaks!
April 13th, 2010 at 3:24 am
This has been happening to me as well for the past like 10 years. It’s weird. I as well as others smell it in my nose….and wonder if anyone else can smell me? I hope not!!! It’s sick! But someone told me to get tested for Diabetes. I’ve had tests for that, so I am assuming it’s not that and like everyone else who posted here it’s just a normal thing?! But I did ask the personal trainer at my gym (maybe I shouldn’t have asked him) and he told me my body is in Ketosis (I do not follow a high protein diet) and it’s acutally poison to your blood stream! Ok?! So thanks alot for freaking me out, pal!! But I wonder if I should continue cardio (Gosh knows I need it!!!!) or not?!?!! Thanks! 🙂
April 13th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
I have a similar problem …A few months ago, my boyfriend noticed that my sweat smelled like cat urine. Somtimes I can barely smell it – but others tell my it is a really strong smell. Anytime I sweat it smells like urine, even when i don’t work out, just from normal day activites (and i can’t smell it!!) i find that most alarming because I don’t know when smell – so I shower and change a lot. I also sometimes get really bad nights sweats and they smell the worst. I have to change the sheets daily! I am a personal trainer and nutritionist. I eat a balanced diet… like i have for years and am not in Ketosis … I am at a loss here … what could this be?
April 22nd, 2010 at 1:42 pm
I TOO HAVE THE SAME AMMONIAC/BLEACH SMELL PROB….MINES STARTED ABOUT 6 YRS AGO AND HAS AND CONTINUES TO DESTROY MY LIFE…I HAD TO QUIT COLLEGE BECAUSE OF ALL THE EXTREMELY NASTY REMARKS….THEY EVEN SUGGESTED I HAD AIDS…..THERE ARE A FEW THINGS HERE I CAN RELATE TO..LIKE THE SMELL RESIDUE IN THE CLOTHES…EVEN IF I WASH MY CLOTHES WITH THE MILDEST OF LAUNDRY DETERGENT/SOAP POWDER ..THE SMELL STILL LINGERS AND ACTUALLY GETS STRONGER…..I COULD BE PASSING NEXT TO A GARBAGE TRUCK..PEOPLE CAN STILL SMELL ME.I HAVE NOT HAD A REALINTIMATE RELATIONSHIP FOR OVER SIX YEARS AND HAVE WORKED ALL BUT A FEW MONTHS OUT OF THOSE 6 YRS BECAUSE OF THIS.I LIVE IN A 98 % TROPICAL ISLAND…SO GETTING AWAY FROM HEAT/WARMTH IS MERELY IMPOSSIBLE.I DO NOT HAVE TO EXERCISE TO GET THIS AMMONIA SMELL…IT IS THERE CONSTANTLY….EVERY DAY!!!1I HAVE FOUND THAT BATH SOAPS MAKE IT WORSE…SO NOW I JUST STICK TO DIAL(GOLD BAR) ..THIS WAS RECOMMENDED ON THE BO MSN SITE FOR PPL WITH BO.I DONT EVEN WASTE MY TIME WEARING PERFUMES, BODY BUTTERS ETC…WASTE OF TIME…THE CREAMS /PERFUMES JUST SMELL RANCID OR PUNGENT ON MY SKIN…..I WILL SAY THE GUY WHO CAME OFF AS A COMEDIAN ON HERE TALKING ABOUT ALIEN BLAH BLAH..WAS PARTIALLY RIGHT..I DO BELIEVE THAT MY PROB MIGHT HAVE STEMMED FROM A LATENT STD..THOUGH I HAVE BEEN TESTED OVER AND OVER AND OVER AGAIN AND NOTHING SHOWS UP…BUT I DID LIVE WITH THE STDFOR A DAMN LONG TIME( TRICH/CLYMADIA) I BELIEVE IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN…ALSO I ALSO NOW WELL…MAYBE ALWAYS …A MAJOR STRESS PROB…BEFORE THE BO A,D NOW REAALLL CATASTROPHISC SINCE THE BO ISSUE….THE BO LED TO ANXIETY/PANIC ATTACKS…WHICH ONLY MAKES SMELL WORSE….IF I HAVE NOT HAD ENOUGH SLEEP…IT GOES HAYWIRE…SO I KNOW THAT IT IS ALSO STRESS RELATED…I ALSO DO TEND TO HAVE ALOT OF BUTT CRACK FUNGUS SINCE THIS BO PROB….SO NOW I USE CHLOROPHYLL TABS, MORE WHOLE WHEAT,, NO CAFFEINE, AVOID SODA OR ANYTHING STIMULATING AND PRAY THAT A NEGATIVE THOUGHT DOESNT COME TO MY MIND OR ELSE THE AMMONIA SMELL JUST KICKS IN…I USED TO HAVE HYPERDROSIS…BUT THAT HAS COOLED DOWN…I WISH SOMEONE COULD FIND ME A TRUE REMEDY…BECAUSE I AM FED UP WITH MY LIFE THE WAY IT IS…NO RELATIONSHIP, NO MONEY, NO JOB, NO FRIENDS , NO HOPES….NOTHING…. I NEED ANSWERS…..
May 6th, 2010 at 3:19 pm
My problem as many have described it is an off and on thing. I subscribe to the carb/protein balance theme. I cannot exercise like most of you due to age/weight and a hereditary spine problem. the only time I’ve ever been able to lose weight effectively was on a modified Atkins diet. I gain weight if I push carbs of any type without significant protein. If I eat carbs first thing in the day or too many at once without starting with protein, I go to sleep. BUT I must balance carbs with my protein to effectively lose the weight. Recently after forgetting this for a while, I started eating dates and my protein and the odor came back as ti did when I originally lost weight years ago. I am appreciative of those who wrote on this and especially the Runner article. For those without significant other health issues, push the fluids to flush the system and BALANCE the carb/protein ratio properly by trial and error for your body. Not every liver or kidney works the same way. My kidneys work somewhat differently than those who can run. The two are tied together. If you continue to have a problem, also have your liver tested and possibly take the blood/genetic test for hemochromatosis. This is a genetic disease causing iron to be stored in almost every part of the body in such quantities that it can impare your health and possibly your longevity. An ammonia smell is tied to protein processing as it says in the article. for me it is the reason. I hope yo find yours. I am the son of a cardiac surgeon and have thirty year experience venturing into eastern and western medicine, chiropractic, as well as homeopathic and alleopathic systems. Don’t accept anyone’s theory until you have proven it for yourself. each system has it’s strengths and weaknesses. Good searching.
June 18th, 2010 at 11:42 pm
This ammonia smell is nothing to worry about as long as you stay hydrated during a workout I was a former weight lifter now I want to burn off all my muscle because it nothe right look for me I went from 150 to 125 my goal ws 115 I use a sauna suit every day I can ring the sweat out of my under shirt as if was dipped. In water those who are trying to lose weight should not eat to many cards remember the order your body burn first carbs then protein then fat sweatin I a great detox that will lead to great skin so finally decided what body image you want if you want to be skinny your going to have to work hard and sweat cardio a least 6 day a week hope this helpwish me luck an goog luck to u
June 27th, 2010 at 1:54 pm
Whew. Thank you for this site and all of the comments. I too am overwhelmed by the smell of ammonia after I jump in the shower after a workout. For years I thought it had to do with the shampoos I was using, but finally decided to google it. It’s nice to know that I’m not alone.
And a response for #60– you have tonsilloliths. Not a big deal, and not related to the ammonia issue. (Something else I finally figured out about myself by googling.)
July 7th, 2010 at 9:39 pm
Glad that I was referred to this site. I am a wrestler and a wrestling coach, 56 years old, 5’9″, 210 lbs, not fat, but have a thick muscular build. I have noticed this strong ammonia smell when I sweat, whether it is from doing construction work, working out, or just sweating from the temperature here in the South. The problem is that the ammonia smell doesn’t wash out from my work or workout clothes and I end up throwing a lot of tee shirts with stinky armpits away. If I am working outdoors for several hours, I get ammonia burns in my armpits and crotch, like a bad diaper rash. Also my urine smells like cat pee, regardless of how much water I drink. I eat lots of protein and fat because of the activities I am involved in, and usually work out almost 2 hours a day. I tried the chlorophyll supplements but they had no effect. Also I noticed that l-arginine/nitric oxide boosting supplements aggravate the condition, so I only use those supplements when preparing for a competition. …So I guess I am not the only stinker aroung. …Yeah, it’s probably the excess protein, but at my age I have to beef it a lot in order to compete with the young guys.
July 25th, 2010 at 7:00 am
I am a 42 year old male, 250lbs, and 6’0″. I am overweight and get little excercise. I recently started cleaning a pool and in this July Alabama humidity, breaking a profuse sweat is as easy as going outside. So, after 2 hours of vacuuming flock, I noticed an ammonia smell on my sweat-soaked undershirt on my chest under my chin (very sweaty there). The smell was strongest there. Either the smell was mixing in my nose best when sniffing that area of my shirt or others could also smell ammonia (sorry not to have checked the latter). I drink water, don’t smoke, rarely drink alcohol.
I found my unwashed undershirt from yesterday and the ammonia smell is gone.
Data: mild excercise, profuse sweating, exposure to chlorine.
Hypothesis: Perhaps the chlorine mixed with the sweat and produced an ammonia smell but as the chlorine broke down or as the sweat dried, the chlorine was no longer present to fuel the ammonia smell.
Any thoughts?
August 24th, 2010 at 3:03 pm
Hi it’s Krista again…..I posted above back in April, #169. I have been researching and reading books and seeing millions of Dr’s who do not have a clue what this is (and I know they think I am a hypercondriac (sp?) but I am not because I have all of you to back me up!!!! TG!!!! So, now I know I am not insane!!! TY for that!! 🙂 I came across this site and have learned it COULD be Iron overload??!! I am sure it might not be that for everyone…..it’s just a suggestion.
http://www.consumerhealth.org/articles/display.cfm?ID=19990303140150
August 24th, 2010 at 3:04 pm
Oh yea…..another site also said it could be the water you are drinking!! Maybe have your water tested?!
August 24th, 2010 at 3:54 pm
Ok….now that I have anxiety from posting that stupid site (above) to everyone…I found another site that you should definitely read INSTEAD of the one above.
http://davedraper.com/blog/2007/04/11/iron-poor-blood-possible-but-not-likely/
I am done posting stuff and done looking on the stupid internet!!!!!!!!!
Peace……..
September 27th, 2010 at 12:44 pm
I am a hairdresser, inquiring about this ammonia smell, because I have a client that is female….she works out very hard, and has that ammonia smell often. My concern is her hair smells like she’s had a perm and is slowly getting more and more fried and fragile. She is trying to get it long, and I’m wondering if the ammonia in the sweat can actually damage the hair. Any ladies on this forum that have had hair troubles?
November 1st, 2010 at 12:40 pm
I too have been doing Bikrams yoga for several months and fairly early on started getting my workout gear and towel smelling strongly of ammonia. I now get ammonia sweat in other exercise too. I don’t have a fix but I do have a useful workaround tip which I heard from someone else at Bikrams, which is to add a dash of apple cider vinegar to the rinse water for my yoga gear; the acid neutralises the ammonia, and kills the smell. Works a treat.
I do know that yoga is good for detoxifying the body, and wonder if this is part of it. I’m definitely losing weight and gaining core strength and flexibility, so am happy wit the results. I will come back and see if higher wisdom emerges on this ammoniacal sweat issue – though #105 and #135 on glycogen seem apt. Some of my family would likely agree with #148’s diagnosis of alien hybridisation, though my Mum and Dad were pretty normal… 😉
January 14th, 2011 at 12:08 pm
The smell is most likely from burning FAT, not protien, and releasing the toxins that your body has stored in that fat. I also find that when I am ill with a cold or such that the same problem occurs. When I am not ill or losing weight, my odor is fine.
February 26th, 2011 at 2:28 pm
Hello.. This is my experience also, smelling ammonia and after learning in my chem class that caffeine(huge coffee drinker) is made up of hydrogen, carbon, oxygen and NITROGEN i’m more convinced than ever that the smell is the body releasing toxins through sweat, breath, mucous membranes and urine.. Its just part of elimination of waste products and certain elements/ acids/ compounds release a smell i guess!
June 20th, 2011 at 1:45 pm
My sweat has recently started smelling of ammonia (cat urine)and I have also recently increased my exercise and lowered my carbs. I bring an extra shirts with me when I go to seminar / work / school etc. I find the lower carb hurts my workouts, so I need to up the carbs again. I wonder if the lowered carbs is harder on kidneys causing the odor like I’ve read.
June 20th, 2011 at 1:46 pm
I am on a deep detox focusing on the liver and kidneys for heavy metals high in me. I also live in Phoenix where we see A LOT of chemtrails in the sky. I have read they are made of Ammonia and other heavy metal chemicals manipulating the weather / global warming etc..
July 21st, 2011 at 12:09 am
I’ve had this smell whilst doing aerobics class. I normally go running and this has never happened before. The only difference is I’m currently taking a detox drink which I’ve had for 2 days. Maybe this is the body getting rid of toxins or something. Also I was prob dehydrated as I hadn’t drank much water as I was busy all day at work so only had the detox drink in 2 glasses of water.
September 10th, 2011 at 3:17 am
As living in hot climate and having a kidney disease (ADPKD2), what prevents excess Nitrogen removal by kidneys, I’ve been suffering of bad sweat smell (ammonia). After some researce I finally found help for it. I’m now taking Turmeric-capsules or powder (Curcumin) (2-5 g) with water before any physical activity. It’s really working! Sweating is normal but Ammonia smell is gone 🙂
September 26th, 2011 at 9:49 am
Excelent clarification in 44 and 135, I had never felt that amonia smell until yerteday when I rode moto enduro for more tha 5 hours with 85 o more heat. After practicing many sports, and 10 years of enduro, I worried because it was knew to me and I hope it has nothing to do with fatyliver.
October 24th, 2011 at 3:55 pm
I’ve had this off and on for years. My liver function tests always looked fine, but I finally got a doctor to do a urine study and I was losing lots of taurine in my urine. It does help to supplement since taurine helps with the ammonia detoxification cycle. The problem can be a genetic metabolism error.
When I do have the cat urine smell washing only seems to help temporarily. I found that rubbing a slice of lemon rind on my armpits and across my chest really helps 🙂
December 2nd, 2011 at 7:12 am
I first noticed the ammonia smell when showering and sometimes I just smell ammonia. I don’t exercise, only short walks so that is different than other posts. I will try to increase carbs but I eat for my blood type which is O positive which means I am a meat eater. Plus I am 65 so I have natural aging changes so this might be one. Any answers to why this is happening please post this condition is really kind of scarey.
January 28th, 2012 at 3:28 pm
thank f*#k i found this site .have a strong smell of cat urine from my sweat. it started off as a smell of strong cheese and has developed to a strong smell of cat urine . I am finding it frustrating. it started a year ago and has only got worse.i work out but not excessively and suppose i could say i am not one of the healthiest people any help???
February 7th, 2012 at 2:33 pm
A warning to cat owners: this ammonia smell used to happen to me after long bike rides, and last year my little feline “friend” climbed in my washer and made it her new territory–at the expense of my biker clothing and the rest of the laundry.
February 28th, 2012 at 9:52 pm
I too have noticed the smell in my nostrils when no one else in my house could smell anything. I did a little research…sorry if its a repeat but I only scrolled through the first 100 posts.
The air we inhale is roughly 78% by volume nitrogen, 21% oxygen, 0.96% argon and 0.04% carbon dioxide, helium, water, and other gases.
The permanent gases in gas we exhale are roughly 4% to 5% more carbon dioxide and 4% to 5% less oxygen than was inhaled. Additionally vapors and trace gases are present: 5% water vapor, several parts per million (ppm) of hydrogen and carbon monoxide, 1 part per million of ammonia and less than 1 ppm of acetone, methanol, ethanol and other volatile organic compounds.
I think that the increased rate of respiration during exercise causes more ammonia to be exhaled and that is why we are smelling it in our nostrils after we exercise. As our breathing rate normalizes the smell goes away. Just a thought
March 3rd, 2012 at 1:57 pm
I rode my bike today 1h and 20 min against the wind hard tempo 25kph average and i was exhausted and when i came home i had that same scent in my nose. could not take my shirt of so my sister helped me but she said she didn’t smell anything strange. after a while when that smell disappeared i went to bathroom and found my shirt and smell it and nothing even close to that ammonia scent. i have hard trainings every now and then but never that long max. 45 min and never experienced nothing similar. so glad i found this topic. paranoia is gone 🙂
March 7th, 2012 at 9:13 pm
I have experienced this strange smell in my nostrils for a few years now. It happens just after I finish any moderate cardio exercise. Tonight after just returning home following an hour long walk I noticed it yet again so I googled it and found this site. I thought I was crazy, always smelling myself to figure out where it was coming from only to realize it was literally in my head. I still might be crazy but at least I’m not alone.
April 4th, 2012 at 2:47 pm
Ive found the ammonia smell is very strong when I use soap on the back of my neck after a workout.
August 12th, 2012 at 6:26 am
I experienced the ammonia smell, in an overwhelming/choking way in the shower for the first time after a hard run two days ago. Yesterday I experimented by sniffing my soap, shampoo, and conditioner. I discovered that the smell became noticeably present/intensified when I got near my shampoo and conditioner. Can anyone else try this out and post your results? It might be useful to find out what chemicals in these products are causing this to occur. I’m going to try out an all natural shampoo and baby shampoo to see if there is a difference.
May 4th, 2014 at 12:25 pm
Hi, so glad I found this. My problem is that when I get hot – not through exercise, my sweat smells badly of ammonia. I can’t smell it on myself, but any sweat wiped on, say a towel, stinks to high heaven. I’m fairly healthy with a BMI of 24.8 so am at a loss! Suggestions please!!!!