Does sinusitis cause foul-smelling nasal discharge?
Disease description:
This morning, while helping my child with morning hygiene, I noticed a foul odor coming from their nose. My husband suggested it might be sinusitis—could sinusitis cause a foul-smelling nose?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Xu Gang
Yes, this is common. When the symptoms of the aforementioned conditions become severe, purulent secretions may fail to drain properly, leading to a foul odor from the nose. These conditions can also be complicated by fungal infection; fungal sinusitis typically presents with nasal congestion, purulent discharge, rhinorrhea, and a foul odor. Therefore, if nasal malodor is present, prompt medical evaluation and treatment are essential. Nasal endoscopy and sinus CT imaging are required for diagnosis. Timely administration of antibiotics is necessary to control inflammation, and surgical intervention may be indicated.
