# Are garlic smelling fingers a sign of something bigger? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 14, 2002, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892 "2002-08-14T20:15:05Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Hootnholla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e480ec/32.png) [@Hootnholla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hootnholla)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2002, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/1 "2002-08-14T20:15:05Z")
OK, i have a problem, maybe you guys can help me out. For the past couple of months i have noticed a garlic smell whenever i brush my teeth. At first i thought it was just my imagination, but it didnt go away. So i smelled around and found that fingers smell faintly of garlic. So heres my question: is there some disease that makes this happen? could it just be an occupational hazard of working at a subway? if so, how does the smell stay even when im on vacation? please help me out here, im a little weirded out. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2002, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/2 "2002-08-14T20:35:49Z")
Do you cut garlic at Subway? Or do you think it’s from handling garlicky lunch meat? All I know about garlic is that the odor does indeed cling to your fingers after you cut it. Rubbing your hands on stainless steel helps. Try that. The only medical/garlic thing I can think of is that people with strep throat have garlic smelling breath. ---
**Author:** ![namowal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ea5d25/32.png) [@namowal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/namowal)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2002, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/3 "2002-08-14T20:42:50Z")
Arsenic poisoning can give you garlic breath, though if that was the problem you’d probably have more disturbing symptoms too. ---
**Author:** ![Violet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/ebca7d/32.png) [@Violet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Violet)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2002, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/4 "2002-08-15T01:07:41Z")
Are you taking selenium? See [http://www.chess.cornell.edu/Safety/MSDS/selenium\_powder.htm](http://www.chess.cornell.edu/Safety/MSDS/selenium_powder.htm) > [@](#): > > May cause garlic smell on the breath… ---
**Author:** ![BobT](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/8e8cbc/32.png) [@BobT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobT)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2002, 1:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/5 "2002-08-15T01:49:15Z")
The garlic smell is only on your fingers? And you don’t handle garlic regularly? Then you’ve got something that will likely stump medical science. ---
**Author:** ![Fear\_Itself](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fear_itself/32/19637_2.png) [@Fear\_Itself](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fear_Itself)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2002, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/6 "2002-08-15T02:17:22Z")
Have been using any commercial solvents? DMSO (dimethylsulfoxide) is a widely used commercial solvent that can product a garlic smell from the body and breath of people exposed to it. From [this site:](http://www.krysalis.net/dmso.htm) > [@](#): > > **The “Garlic” Body & Breath Odor from Dimethyl Sulfide Derived from DMSO** > > The elimination of DMSO and MSM happens not only by excretion in the urine and feces but also by elimination through the lungs and skin in the form of dimethyl sulfide. When DMSO gives up its oxygen atom it forms dimethyl sulfide which is hydrophobic. Because of its hydrophobic property, it will concentrate not only in the cell membranes but also in the interior regions of the hemoglobin molecule. The exterior of the hemoglobin molecule is hydrophilic and thus can “dissolve” in a aqueous media and be carried in the blood. However, the interior is hydrophobic. Any dimethyl sulfide that is formed will eventually migrate to the interior of the hemoglobin molecule and as such be transported everywhere in the blood. However, it has a high vapor pressure so anywhere the blood vessels come in close contact with air, such as in the lungs and skin, there will be a tendency for the dimethyl sulfide to evaporate off and be released. In this way we get both the “garlic” breath and the “garlic” body odor. ---
**Author:** ![Corrvin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/bbce88/32.png) [@Corrvin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Corrvin)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2002, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/7 "2002-08-15T05:23:41Z")
Could be worse. Ever since I quit smoking and my sense of smell improved, my hands smell like peanut butter. I have no peanut butter in the house. I haven’t eaten any in months. I have no grocery money until payday. (And I want some peanut butter and banana sandwiches!) Garlic, now that I could explain… Corr ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [August 15, 2002, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/8 "2002-08-15T06:50:35Z")
Garlic smell is also a symptom of tellurum poisoning. Tellurium and the previously mentioned selenium are both heavy metals, and the only place you’re likely to get exposed to them is through industrial waste. Do you regularly ingest things that don’t come from normal distribution channels? (E.g. water from private wells, fish you caught yourself.) Other symptoms of heavy metal poisoning include headaches and vomiting, IIRC. (I’m not a doctor though, I just happened to read the MSDS on tellurium since I work with cadmium telluride.) ---
**Author:** ![oink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/b487fb/32.png) [@oink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/oink)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/9 "2012-08-02T13:55:36Z")
Well, on the note of Garlic, you should perhaps have a specialist Doctor do some prostate checks. However, that said and, especially after reading your comments regarding the almond “peanut butter” smell, I would suggest that you make an appointment with an expert Toxologist IMMEDIATELY! 1. Mustard Gas smells like Garlic! 2. The Almond smell is also related to poisoning, of which has been in popular use by Stassi (Soviets in Germany). Both poisoning methods are still popular today, around the World. GET TO A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY! DO NOT DELAY! :eek: > [@Corrvin](#): > > Could be worse. Ever since I quit smoking and my sense of smell improved, my hands smell like peanut butter. > > I have no peanut butter in the house. I haven’t eaten any in months. I have no grocery money until payday. (And I want some peanut butter and banana sandwiches!) > > Garlic, now that I could explain… > > Corr ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 2:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/10 "2012-08-02T14:02:07Z")
It’s been ten years, you’re a little late with your advice. ---
**Author:** ![Sicks\_Ate](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@Sicks\_Ate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sicks_Ate)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/11 "2012-08-02T14:04:12Z")
The smell of garlic does not repel zombies. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/12 "2012-08-02T14:12:26Z")
If garlic is smelling your fingers, you need to burn it and bury the ashes in concrete, then dump it in the ocean. Once garlic develops a nose, there’s no telling what it’s going to do next. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/13 "2012-08-02T14:47:19Z")
Also, your relationships with female vampires may be short-lived. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/14 "2012-08-02T15:57:44Z")
zombie or no. he’s dead, Jim. ---
**Author:** ![2gigch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2gigch1/32/3313_2.png) [@2gigch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2gigch1)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/15 "2012-08-02T16:21:21Z")
Since the OP last posted at the end of March, 2003, whatever it was got him. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 4:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/16 "2012-08-02T16:30:37Z")
I LOLed. My money is on Lupus. ---
**Author:** ![Lsura](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7993a0/32.png) [@Lsura](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lsura)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/17 "2012-08-02T16:52:57Z")
> [@billfish678](#): > > My money is on Lupus. It’s never Lupus. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/18 "2012-08-02T17:29:45Z")
> [@oink](#): > > Well, on the note of Garlic, you should perhaps have a specialist Doctor do some prostate checks. > > However, that said and, especially after reading your comments regarding the almond “peanut butter” smell, I would suggest that you make an appointment with an expert Toxologist IMMEDIATELY! > > 1. Mustard Gas smells like Garlic! > 2. The Almond smell is also related to poisoning, of which has been in popular use by Stassi (Soviets in Germany). > > Both poisoning methods are still popular today, around the World. > > GET TO A DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY! > DO NOT DELAY! > > :eek: WTF? If your hands smell of peanuts, why would you be worried about some form of poisoning that smells of almonds (which I guess is cyanide)? Peanut butter does not even smell of almonds. ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/19 "2012-08-02T17:40:40Z")
If your hands smell of peanuts… leave Snoopy alone, you sick pervert. ---
**Author:** ![Jake](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jake](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jake)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2012, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-garlic-smelling-fingers-a-sign-of-something-bigger/123892/20 "2012-08-02T18:12:50Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > The smell of garlic does not repel zombies. Also, the sign of the cross does not repel atheist zombies!