You certainly do not know, but some people suffer from trimethylamury, a rare disease also called “fish smell syndrome”. This genetic pathology affects the urine, breath or sweat of patients and causes the exhalation of an unpleasant odor of “rotten fish”, as reported by Live Science magazine. If it does not have other symptoms, this disease may have a strong psychosocial impact for people who suffer from it, sometimes pushing them to isolation.
Trimethylaminury generally manifests towards the start of puberty, between 8 and 14 years old, when hormones get to work. But it can also appear from birth. The affection causes the patients a body odor similar to that of a fish, sometimes permanently, if not intermittent. Its effects can be aggravated in particular by food or stress, the odor being mainly conveyed by sweat.
This extremely disabling symptom comes from an accumulation in the body of trimethylamine, a chemical substance produced by intestinal bacteria. The latter is generated in particular when we eat foods such as eggs, liver, legumes or certain seafood.
People who do not suffer from Trimethylaminuuria metabolize this substance thanks to an enzyme produced by the FMO3 gene, which transforms it into trimethylamine n-oxide, its odorless version. It is this gene that lacks patients with trimethylamury. Genetic disease often results from a mutation of this famous FMO3, but can also, more rarely, be the consequence of hepatic insufficiency or excessive consumption of foods generating the production of trimethylamine.
Isn’t it fresh my fish?
Although the disease is listed quite ultimately, it remains extremely rare. Live Science reports that it would concern between one person in 200,000 and one in one million.
Today, unfortunately there is no remedy. To alleviate the symptoms, doctors generally recommend a diet aimed at limiting the production of trimethylamine. It is also sometimes advisable to use slightly acidic soaps and shampoos and avoid practicing too intense physical activities that would promote sweating.
Indeed, the Triméthylaminuria is not deadly. However, she greatly impacts the lives of affected people, especially in their social relations. On the psychological level, the disease can create isolation, depressive, anxious symptoms, and even cause suicidal thoughts.
