Those are two interesting descriptions — and honestly, pretty creative ones! The "Cheerios" smell (slightly sweet or grainy) could point to elevated sugar in the urine. For people with lupus, this can sometimes be linked to high blood sugar levels, which is worth flagging with a doctor.
Watch out for these accompanying Show Full Answer
Those are two interesting descriptions — and honestly, pretty creative ones! The "Cheerios" smell (slightly sweet or grainy) could point to elevated sugar in the urine. For people with lupus, this can sometimes be linked to high blood sugar levels, which is worth flagging with a doctor.
Watch out for these accompanying symptoms that would need urgent attention:
- Extreme thirst
- Urinating much more frequently than usual
- Fatigue
- Fruity-smelling breath
- Abdominal pain or vomiting
- Confusion or difficulty breathing
If any of those are present alongside the sweet smell, seek medical attention right away. The "chemical plant" smell sounds like it could be a strong ammonia-like odor. This is commonly caused by dehydration, but with lupus it can also be a sign that the kidneys aren't filtering properly — something seen in lupus nephritis.
Other possible causes include:
- Dehydration — urine becomes more concentrated and pungent
- Lupus nephritis — damaged kidneys may produce more ammonia-heavy urine
- A urinary tract infection (UTI), which is a common lupus comorbidity
If the chemical smell comes with flank or abdominal pain, reduced urination, or blood in urine, it's important to contact a doctor soon. Either way, both smells are worth mentioning at the next appointment.
October 4
Join
Your Privacy Choices
