Sniffing Out Skin Disease: Odors in Dermatologic Conditions

Although dermatology relies primarily on sight and touch, clinicians often overlook smell despite encountering diagnostic odors. We reviewed PubMed and Google Scholar for articles on disease-related cutaneous odors. Bacterial and fungal infections emit characteristic malodors, while genetic and metabolic disorders (eg, Darier disease, trimethylaminuria, phenylketonuria, maple syrup urine disease) and organ dysfunction (renal and hepatic failure) produce unique scents. Preliminary evidence also suggests melanoma may have a distinct odor detectable by canines. Although objective odor measurement remains challenging, incorporating olfaction could enhance diagnosis and merits further research.