You either have liver failure or constipation. Or, it could just be lot of inflammation or irritation in the gut.
Studies reveal that the compounds identified with fecal odor are: dimethyl trisulfide, Skatole, indole, methyl sulfides methanethiol, and dimethyl disulfide, some of which can produce a napthalenelike “mothball” odor.
Some bacteria produce unpleasant smelling stool that can be attributed to bacteria overgrowth or nitrogen being improperly metabolized or insufficiently digested. I would advise meeting your Doctor so that he or she can run some lab tests on your blood and stool.
However, I do suspect this mothball odor is a result of constipation. I would ask that you let your Doctor know to be sure he doesn’t want to do any additional lab work to rule out infection. My recommendation for optimal bowel health is the probiotic Bio K.
Why Does My Breath Smell Like MothBalls?
Sinus infection, post-nasal drip, and allergies are common causes of your breath smelling like mothballs.
Once you have chronic sinus issues, the bacteria in your mouth can convert the mucus protein into a compound known as skatole. Not to worry since taking allergy medications, rinsing your sinuses with a neti pot, (if your doctor determines you have a bacterial infection) starting antibiotics should help.
Sometimes kidney failure will cause people to be malodorous because it’s a way for the body to try and rid itself of toxins. He also may have a pharyngeal pouch or something that is filling with food that could cause the odor.
This issue of Mothball Breath usually is not a health issue. While it is true, that kidney disease and diabetes, and even anorexia can cause weird breath, the major cause is not flossing properly.
Why Does My Toddler’s Poop Smell Like Mothballs?
It could be a result of feeding too much meat or gut flora imbalance. Using Huggies will make the smell noticeable, while using pampers will not.
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Malabsorption
Yes! This is the number one reason toddler’s poop smells like mothballs. Feeding the right amount of nutrition in foods to help create a balanced diet does not mean your child’s body will absorb all of that food.
Malabsorption happens when your child’s body is unable to absorb nutrients from the digestive system into the bloodstream.
Most times, they wouldn’t face an issue like that, but it only occurs when their intestinal wall is damaged by a bacterial infection, virus, or parasites.
Because of this, its surface may change so that digested substances become unable to pass through. If that occurs, the nutrients become eliminated via their bowel movement.
During which, you might get smelly feces as malabsorption begins to work its magic. It typically lasts for 48 hours, as the surface of the intestine gets healed fast.
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Gluten intolerance
What Does It Mean When Your Stool Smells Like Mothballs? Your toddler might be gluten intolerant. It’s not so evident at first but if you suspect that their poop smell foul when fed foods with gluten in it, like rice, barley, wheat, etc., I suggest you stop.
A gluten intolerant toddler will have smelly poop the next day. So, to be really sure, you should have your child tested with your pediatrician, who will recommend some tests to see if they’re actually gluten-intolerant and tell you how to replace such food items.
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Food Sensitivity and Allergy
Why Does My Son’s Poop Smell Like Mothballs? Your child’s digestive system might be sensitive to certain food types. It could be some spices, transient bacteria in yogurt, or other meals with a certain ingredient they are allergic to.
You should try to pinpoint the cause of the reaction on your own by keeping a food journal and keeping an eye over your toddler.
If you’re unable to do this, get an expert opinion, and tests should be done to discover the exact reasons your toddler’s poop smells so bad.
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Lactose Intolerant
A toddler who is lactose intolerant will have smelly poop too.
Yes, that’s right! Your toddler’s body in most cases is unable to absorb lactose in the small intestine. When that occurs, once of the main signs is runny or smelly poop.
Although your toddler might not be lactose intolerant as a baby, they might have developed it recently, which could explain why you’re confused and lost.
They might also get other signs such as bloating and abdominal pain.
But ruling out lactose intolerance is not a good idea, and you should consider if the smelly poop is because of it.
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Infections
Infections in the gut of your toddler will result in a change in the smell and consistency of their poop. So, check to see if their stool has changed somehow and if it starts to smell really bad, they might have an infection.
Infections with parasites could also be another reason to worry as it creates some odd yet distinctive odors.
So, at this point, getting their stool tested for bacterial, viral, and fungal pathogens is a good idea too.
ALSO SEE: Why Does My Baby’s Poop Smell Like Fish?
Treatment for smelly poop
- Feed your toddler on time, and offer fruits as well
- You can introduce them to fruit juices but don’t overdo it
- Feed your toddler a balanced diet, including the four Fs: Fibre, Fat, Fluid, and Fruit juices.
- Fat intake should be increased to at least 35% or 40% of total energy intake.
- You can give them fruit juices but don’t overdo their total consumption in a day.
- Lastly, take them, to see your pediatrician and consult with them on what to exclude or include in your toddler’s diet to make sure their poop doesn’t smell anymore.
Poop Smells Like Mothballs In Adults
As an adult, do your bowel movements smell like mothballs? Mothball-smelling poop often occurs when there is plenty of irritation or inflammation in the gut.
It’s actually quite common to associate the inflammation poop smell with mothballs specifically- Suprep!
I’m not surprised to hear you saying that it occurs around prep time since -from my own experiences- prep can be hard on the body.
Why Does My Cat’s Poop Smell Like Mothballs?
What Does Cat Poop That Smells Like Mothballs Mean? Your cat’s poop smelling like mothballs could be a s result of diet, intestinal parasite, or a side effect of supplements (like Cosequin).
If your cat only experienced a stool odor change and is otherwise fine (no vomit, eats well, or other medical issues). Plus, her stool forming is normal (not too loose, not too dry) then I’d say there is nothing to worry about.
Evo, a high-fat diet, can cause foul-smelling feces in certain breeds of cats. I have encountered this in the past.
Try feeding her a probiotic like Proviable or Forti-Flora gotten from your vet or Culturelle from the people world. This should help.
However, you would probably need to add this probiotic for as long as you use a high-fat diet, though.
Also, remember not all probiotics are created equal. The three I mentioned are the three that have been tested and determined to have a consistently good quality products.
If she suffers constipation or stool change alongside the mothball odor then I recommend you get her seen by her veterinarian.
There might be a medical issue such as bacterial infection or intestinal parasites that is causing the odor change.
I hope that the information I provided has been helpful.
Why Does My Kittens Poop Smell Like Moth Balls?
Your Kittens poop smelling like mothballs could be a a result of diet, intestinal parasite, or a side effect of supplements (like Cosequin).
If your cat only experienced a stool odor change and is otherwise fine (no vomit, eats well, or other medical issues). Plus, her stool forming is normal (not too loose, not too dry) then I’d say there is nothing to worry about.
Evo, as a high-fat diet, can cause foul-smelling feces in certain breeds of cats. I have encountered this in the past.
Try feeding her a probiotic like Proviable or Forti-Flora gotten from your vet or Culturelle from the people world. This should help.
However, you would probably need to add this probiotic for as long as you use a high-fat diet, though.
Also, remember not all probiotics are created equal. The three I mentioned are the three that have been tested and determined to have a consistently good quality products.
If she suffers constipation or stool change alongside the mothball odor then I recommend you get her seen by her veterinarian.
There might be a medical issue such as bacterial infection or intestinal parasites that is causing the odor change.
I hope that the information I provided has been helpful.
[Summary] What Does Mothball Smelling Poop Mean?
You either have liver failure or constipation.
Studies reveal that the compounds identified with fecal odor are: dimethyl trisulfide, Skatole, indole, methyl sulfides methanethiol, dimethyl disulfide, some of which can produce a napthalenelike “mothball” odor.
Some bacteria produce unpleasant smelling stool that can be attributed to bacteria overgrowth or nitrogen being improperly metabolized or insufficiently digested. I would advise meeting your Doctor so that he or she can run some lab tests on your blood and stool.
However, I do suspect this moth ball odor is as a result of constipation. I would ask that you let your Doctor know to be sure he doesn’t want to do any additional lab work to rule out infection. My recommendation for optimal bowel health is a the probiotoc Bio K.