Common Causes
What Causes a Metallic Taste in My Mouth?
- Medications. Impaired taste is a common side effect of certain medications.
- Chemotherapy and radiation. ...
- Sinus issues. ...
- Central nervous system (CNS) disorders. ...
- Pregnancy. ...
- Food allergies. ...
- Middle ear and ear tube surgery. ...
- Poor oral health. ...
- When to see a healthcare professional. ...
- Ways to prevent a metallic taste. ...
Related Conditions
When the metallic taste is paired with coughing, the culprit is likely an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold. Repeatedly coughing up phlegm often brings small amounts of blood into the mouth and onto the taste buds, leading to a distinct metallic taste in your mouth.
What causes a metallic taste in my mouth and what can I do about it?
The taste of iron in the mouth when coughing can appear in such diseases:
- Bronchial asthma. Chronic disease of the respiratory system, which is characterized by a narrowing of the lumen of the bronchi, as well as a violation of the ratio of different ...
- Sinusitis. You can feel the "bloody breath" in the genyantrites, frontitis, etmoiditis. ...
- Bronchoectatic disease, emphysema. ...
- Tuberculosis. ...
- Oncology. ...
Why do you get a metallic taste when you cough?
The taste can be very unpleasant. The metallic taste is due to the minute traces of blood in your phlegm, that is coughed out from your respiratory tract. The level of blood in the phlegm [3] can vary and will result in causing a distinct metallic taste.
What causes a metallic taste when I cough?
What causes a metallic taste cough?
When should I be concerned about a metallic taste in my mouth?
Most of the time, a metallic taste in your mouth is temporary and harmless. But it can be a symptom of a more serious health condition, so it's a good idea to talk with your healthcare provider if the metallic taste persists or is associated with other symptoms such as allergy symptoms, pain, or any signs of infection.
What is a metallic taste a symptom of?
Indigestion. Heartburn, acid reflux, and indigestion could be responsible for a metallic taste. Other symptoms you get with these conditions are bloating and a burning feeling in your chest after eating. To treat the underlying problem, avoid rich foods, eat dinner earlier, and take antacids.
What is the weird taste when coughing?
A metallic taste when coughing might occur as a result of certain medical treatments or an underlying condition, such as gum disease. The metallic taste might also occur at other times, such as while eating or drinking. The taste can be unpleasant and make it difficult to eat or drink.
Can pneumonia cause metallic taste?
Metallic taste with thick saliva or mucous can be seen in pneumonia or bronchitis in the setting of cough with scant blood or with certain antibiotics.
What cancers cause a metallic taste in your mouth?
Metallic Taste (Dysgeusia), including bitter or sour taste, is a common side effect of lung cancers, medications, and chemotherapy treatments. People who experience xerostomia (dry mouth) often also suffer from dysgeusia.
How do I get rid of the metallic taste in my mouth?
Here are some ways you may reduce or temporarily eliminate taste distortion:Chew sugar-free gum or sugar-free mints.Brush your teeth after meals.Experiment with different foods, spices, and seasonings.Use nonmetallic dishes, utensils, and cookware.Stay hydrated.Avoid smoking cigarettes.
When I cough I taste an infection?
Respiratory infections that cause cough can cause an altered sense of taste or interfere with your sense of smell. Examples can include bronchitis or viral sore throat. It is also possible for alterations in smell or taste to be caused by a side effect or reaction to a medication you may be taking.
What is bronchitis cough?
Bronchitis is an infection of the main airways of the lungs (bronchi), causing them to become irritated and inflamed. The main symptom is a cough, which may bring up yellow-grey mucus (phlegm). Bronchitis may also cause a sore throat and wheezing.
How long does an upper respiratory infection last?
How long are people contagious? Acute viral URI last on average 7 to 11 days but may last up to 14 days. However, the most contagious period is during the first 2 or 3 days that a person has symptoms, and rarely after 1 week.
What does a pneumonia cough sound like?
Dr. Casciari added that pneumonia coughs tend to sound "deeper" than regular coughs. As far as what you actually cough up with pneumonia, that can depend on what type of pneumonia you have and what stage it's in. With early-stage viral pneumonia, you may not cough up anything.
What does infected phlegm taste like?
Non-Oral Infections Phlegm and the related coughing of a respiratory infection can cause an off or metallic taste in your mouth. This can happen during or immediately after a cold.
Can you taste pneumonia when you cough?
An infection can cause this cluster of symptoms. This includes sinus infections, dental infections, throat infections, and lung infections (either pneumonia or bronchitis). Seasonal allergies can also cause these symptoms.
Why have I got a weird taste in my mouth?
The most common reasons for a bad taste in your mouth have to do with dental hygiene. Not flossing and brushing regularly can cause gingivitis, which can cause a bad taste in your mouth. Dental problems, such as infections, abscesses, and even wisdom teeth coming in, can also cause a bad taste.
Does COVID give you a weird taste in your mouth?
“About 5.6% of people who took Paxlovid in a study reported dysgeusia, which is a change in the taste in your mouth,” says Shivanjali Shankaran, MD, an infectious disease specialist at RUSH.
Can anxiety cause a metallic taste in mouth?
Anxiety can cause a wide range of physiological symptoms, including a bitter or metallic taste in your mouth. Research has shown that there's a strong connection between taste changes and stress — perhaps because of the chemicals that are released in your body as part of the fight-or-flight response.
Can liver problems cause metallic taste in mouth?
You have liver or kidney disease Although rare, liver or kidney disease could cause a metallic taste in your mouth, too. According to Dr. Lewis, that's because these conditions create a buildup of chemicals in the body. “These chemicals are released into the saliva, causing a metallic taste,” she says.
Why does my cough taste metallic?
A metallic taste when coughing can be a symptom of a condition that requires medical attention. For example, co-occurring fever-like symptoms could indicate an infection that is treatable with prescription medications. Most people do not require medical attention for mild conditions, such as a cold.
What does it mean when you have a cold?
Most people with a cold experience mild symptoms that include a sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, and a cough. Some people also experience a fever. A cold can affect sense of smell, which then affects the sense of taste, potentially causing a metallic taste in the mouth. Learn more about colds here.
How to get rid of metallic taste when coughing?
Gum disease is usually treatable with good oral hygiene measures. These include brushing properly each day, flossing, and using mouthwash as necessary .
What causes a lack of taste in the mouth?
Sinus infection. Sinus infections can cause a loss of smell, which can cause a lack of flavor to food and a metallic taste in the mouth. The sinuses are empty spaces behind the cheeks and forehead that connect to the nose. A sinus infection, or sinusitis, can cause inflammation in the sinuses.
How does cancer affect the taste of saliva?
Cancer treatments can affect how the senses function and change the normal flow of saliva. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can produce a metallic taste in the mouth.
How to tell if you have a sinus infection?
Other symptoms of sinus infections include: 1 a green, runny substance coming from the nose 2 a stuffy nose 3 a cough 4 tiredness 5 a fever 6 a sore throat 7 bad breath 8 teeth pain 9 headaches
What is the term for a group of symptoms that affect the gastrointestinal system, including the airways, stomach,?
Indigestion refers to a group of symptoms that affect the gastrointestinal system, including the airways, stomach, and intestines. Indigestion can cause:
Why does my mouth taste like metal?
A metallic taste can indicate a serious illness, such as kidney or liver problems, undiagnosed diabetes or certain cancers. But these reasons are uncommon and typically accompanied by other symptoms.
How to get rid of metallic taste in mouth?
Rinse your mouth before you eat, using a solution of baking soda and warm water. It can regulate the pH balance of your mouth and help to neutralize acid — including that gross metallic taste.
How to keep your mouth healthy?
Maintain good oral hygiene, including regular brushing, flossing and tongue-scraping, to keep your mouth healthy.
Why does dementia affect taste buds?
Everyone’s taste buds diminish with age, but for people with dementia, those changes may be expedited as a result of changes in the brain. Sometimes food starts tasting different than it used to, which doctors call “taste abnormalities.”
What happens if you don't brush your teeth?
If you don’t brush and floss regularly, the result can be teeth and gum problems such as gingivitis, periodontitis and tooth infection . These infections can be cleared up with a prescription from your dentist.
What is lithium used for?
Lithium, which is used to treat certain psychiatric conditions.
Does your mouth taste like old pennies?
Does your mouth taste like old pennies? Dysgeusia, a change in your sense of taste, can be a side effect of a variety of medical issues. And “metal mouth,” a common manifestation of dysgeusia, is more common than you might think.
How to get rid of metallic taste in mouth?
This can prevent tooth decay and mouth infections. Drink water and chew sugar-free gum to keep away oral infections that could cause a metallic taste in the mouth. Before meals, rinse your mouth with a combination of a 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon ...
What to do if you have metallic taste?
If the metallic taste bothers you, talk to your doctor, but don't stop taking your medication without their approval.
Why does my mouth taste metallic?
There are lots of reasons you may have a lingering metallic taste in your mouth, from medication to poor tooth brushing habits. Once you figure out why it's happening, there are often easy steps you can take to get rid of the problem.
How to stop bad taste in mouth?
You might need to step up your dental hygiene. Brush and floss regularly to avoid problems with your teeth and gums, like gingivitis, periodontitis, and tooth infections. Those conditions can all put a bad taste in your mouth.
Why does my mouth taste like it's under the weather?
Have you been feeling under the weather? Colds, sinus infections, and upper respiratory infections can change the taste in your mouth. If this is the cause, you'll also have symptoms like a runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and cough.
Why does my chest feel metallic?
Heartburn, acid reflux, and indigestion could be responsible for a metallic taste. Other symptoms you get with these conditions are bloating and a burning feeling in your chest after eating. To treat the underlying problem, avoid rich foods, eat dinner earlier, and take antacids.
What causes a taste distortion?
You may also need medications from doctors. CNS Disorders. Sometimes a central nervous system (CNS) disorder can cause you to have a taste distortion or make things taste different than usual.
Why Do You Have Persistent Cough With Metallic Taste?
The fact that you do not see blood when you cough is assuring, because this makes it not likely that you have a serious infection or other source of bleeding in your chest or lungs . There are several conditions that can cause bleeding with cough, such as a tumor in the lungs or a tuberculosis infection; however, typically in these conditions the amount of blood that is produced suffices that it is apparent with coughing.
Why does my cough taste metallic?
Bronchitis. Bronchitis, an inflammation of the bronchial tubes, causes cough, dark or yellow mucus, chest pain and more. Asthma ( child) Asthma is a chronic condition that causes swelling and narrowing in the air passages, triggering cough and more.
What causes a cold and a runny nose?
Viral pharyngitis is an aching throat triggered by an infection, and triggers throat pain and cold-like symptoms. Dust direct exposure. Dust exposure can cause blockage, runny nose, cough, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and more. Antibiotic usage.
What causes shortness of breath, coughing, and chest pain?
Direct exposure to smoke can cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, chest pain, and more. Poisoning can cause nausea, vomiting, drooling, dry mouth, changes in pupil size, and more. Emphysema is a chronic lung condition that causes shortness of breath, a chronic cough, wheezing, and more.
What are the side effects of asthma?
Medication response or side-effect. Medication side effects consist of queasiness, vomiting, indigestion, weak point, lightheadedness, seizures, and more. Viral pharyngitis.
Can you taste blood when you cough?
There are several conditions that can cause bleeding with cough, such as a tumor in the lungs or a tuberculosis infection; however, typically in these conditions the amount of blood that is produced suffices that it is apparent with coughing. Nevertheless, it is still possible to ‘taste’ blood with cough associated to a number of other conditions.
Can antibiotics cause nausea?
Antibiotics can trigger stomach pain, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, itching, rashes and dizziness. A goiter is a bigger thyroid gland, triggering a lump in the throat below the Adam’s apple. Direct exposure to smoke can cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, chest pain, and more.
Why do I have a metallic taste in my mouth?
People experience a metallic taste for a variety of reasons, from sinus infections to chemotherapy.
Why does my mouth taste metallic?
The most common cause of a metallic taste in the mouth is medications . Antibiotics, antihistamines, over-the-counter supplements, and blood pressure medications are all known for causing this taste side effect.
What is the effect of mercury poisoning?
One side effect of mercury poisoning is a metallic taste in your mouth, according to Dr. Okeke-Igbokwe.
How long does it take for a metallic taste to go away?
If the metallic taste in your mouth doesn't go away after a day or two , it's time to call your doctor.
Why do I have taste buds when I'm pregnant?
Nesochi Okeke-Igbokwe, MD, a physician and health and wellness expert in New York, says that these changes to your taste buds may be due to some of the hormonal changes that occur during pregnancy. This usually happens during the first trimester and typically subsides in the second.
What is the name of the disease that causes taste changes?
In a case study of a man with a rare disease called facial onset sensory and motor neuronopathy (FOSMN), a change in taste was one of the patient's first symptoms, according to a report in the journal BMC Neurology.
What is the cause of taste loss?
Dysgeusia, which is an abnormal or impaired sense of taste, could be caused by an excess or lack of zinc, says Kristin Koskinen, a dietitian nutritionist in Richland, Washington.
How long does coughing last?
When the cough comes it lasts for a couple days to a few weeks. Sometimes there’s mucus and sometimes there’s this weird taste. It’s weird and the closest thing to the taste is the way paper smells when it’s wet. And sometimes it’s a weird metallic taste.
Why does my cough look green?
During cold and flu season, you may find yourself coughing up phlegm, and it may look yellow or green. That’s your body’s way of dealing with an infection. But you may have a virus that will go away on its own or you may have a bacterial infection that needs medication.
What is the infection of the lungs caused by?
Bacterial pneumonia. Bacterial pneumonia is an infection of the lungs caused by one of several different bacteria, often Streptococcus pneumoniae. Pneumonia is often contracted in hospitals or nursing homes. Symptoms include fatigue, fever, chills, painful and difficult breathing, and cough that brings up mucus.
What is the name of the disease that causes mucus to build up in the airways?
Bronchiectasis. Bronchiectasis is destruction and widening of the large airways. Mucus builds up in these airways and can get infected, causing a pneumonia. Top Symptoms: cough, shortness of breath, wheezing, runny nose, mucous dripping in the back of the throat.
How do you know if you have an abscess?
Symptoms vary depending on whether the abscess is acute or chronic. They may include fever, night sweats, fatigue, weight loss, a cough with mucus or blood, and chest pain when breathing.
What is the treatment for bacterial pneumonia?
With bacterial pneumonia, the treatment is antibiotics. Be sure to finish all the medication, even if you start to feel better. Hospitalization may be necessary for higher-risk cases.
How to keep your immune system healthy?
Keep the immune system healthy through good diet and sleep habits, not smoking, and frequent handwashing. Rarity: Common. Top Symptoms: fatigue, cough, headache, loss of appetite, shortness of breath. Symptoms that always occur with bacterial pneumonia: cough.
Why does my mouth taste like iron?
The taste of metal in the mouth is associated in most people with blood. This is the case: the first of the causes of this symptom is anemia with a deficiency of vitamin B12 or folic acid.
Can you taste iron in your throat?
In the throat, you can feel the taste of iron in diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, pancreas, especially if it is accompanied by an acidic aftertaste.
