Come, All You Nurse Detectives

Nurses General Nursing

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Does anyone know the cause(s) of someone having a metallic taste in the mouth plus metallic smell to the perspiration?

Any possibility this is related to short-term fasting (3rd day)?

:uhoh3::uhoh3::uhoh3::uhoh3::uhoh3::idea::idea::idea::confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:

Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

I had a stone in my salivary gland below my tongue. Exact same taste you describe. Doc took what looked like a tiny crochet hook and snagged it out. Immediately taste was gone.

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Specializes in cardiac med-surg.

had a coworker nurse with same

had low mg+

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Specializes in Utilization Management.

Amox does it to me. :)

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biaxin....

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Specializes in Psychiatric.

My first thought would've been Lithium! lol

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Hmm, lots of great contributions. Thank you all very much.

It ocurred to me that something could be going on under a crown that had a crack in it earlier this year. Maybe there is infection under the crown. There had previously been bad odor (not metallic, just halitosis) when the person flossed around that crowned tooth, like maybe it is not fitting properly.

Time to see a dentist, I think.

Gosh, the salivary gland stone gave me the creeps! Glad that person is better now.

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Specializes in Nursing Home ,Dementia Care,Neurology..

Scary one this. You can get altered taste sensation with Ca gullet or oesphagus.

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Some slow acting poisons can have this affect. And I really was a detective!!!! Never poisoned anyone though..... unless you count that egg salad event.....bad luck that!

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Iodism, from iodine preparations used to treat hyperthyroidism, results in a metallic taste (with burning in the mouth, sore gums, gastric or respiratory irritation, headache, and redness of conjjunctiva)

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