# Why do I smell like iron?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-smell-like-iron/194996>\
**Category:** In My Humble Opinion\
**Created:** [August 13, 2003, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-smell-like-iron/194996 "2003-08-13T19:56:16Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![sidle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ee59a6/32.png) [@sidle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sidle)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-smell-like-iron/194996/1 "2003-08-13T19:56:16Z")

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I’m serious. For the past 3 days I’ve gotten occasionally whiffs of this iron-y scent coming off of me.

When I was in labor back in February, I was hooked up to an IV of magnesium and a very very distinct  
smell of magnesium emanated from me during and for days afterwards regardless of how many showers I took.

Now, that same exact smell is back.

What the hell?

😕

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**Author:** ![dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dorkusmalorkusmafia/32/7266_2.png) [@dorkusmalorkusmafia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dorkusmalorkusmafia)\
**Post date:** [August 13, 2003, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-smell-like-iron/194996/2 "2003-08-13T20:11:56Z")

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Maybe it’s because you aren’t bathing. 😉 Seriously now. There could be several causes. Is there rust in your shower pipes? Ie, sometimes the water comes out orangish? Maybe you have some nasty cut that you can’t see and you’re bleeding from it. Hmmm, doubt you would be posting if that was the case. If you are as susceptible to smell like metals (ie, the magnesium drip) maybe iron is rubbing off from your skillets and you are getting a gigantic dose, coupled with a lot of red meat and vitamin supplements?

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**Author:** ![if6was9](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/e47c2d/32.png) [@if6was9](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/if6was9)\
**Post date:** [August 14, 2003, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-do-i-smell-like-iron/194996/3 "2003-08-14T01:42:46Z")

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Could be lettuce, or spinach, or really iron-filled foods (veggies.)