What causes a metallic taste in your mouth when you cough
Lily Fisher
Published Mar 20, 2026
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.
When should I be concerned about a metallic taste in my mouth?
A metallic taste in your mouth will often go away once the underlying cause has been treated, especially if the cause is temporary. You should contact your doctor if the bad taste persists. Your doctor will often refer you to an otolaryngologist, also known as an ear, nose, and throat doctor.
What are you lacking when you have a metallic taste in your mouth?
A vitamin B-12 deficiency may cause fatigue as it can impair a person’s ability to produce red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout the body. Severe deficiency may begin affecting the nerves, which may result in a metallic taste in the mouth.
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.
Does Covid give you a strange taste in your mouth?
8, 2021 (HealthDay News) — A lost or altered sense of taste, dry mouth and sores are common among COVID-19 patients and those symptoms may last long after others disappear, Brazilian researchers report.
Can vitamin D deficiency cause metallic taste in mouth?
Vitamin D: However, some of the population is at risk for a vitamin D deficiency, and can supplement this with vitamin D pills. If you develop metallic taste after taking vitamin D supplements, this may be an indication of an overdose of vitamin D.
What cancers cause a metallic taste?
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.
What medications cause a metallic taste in the mouth?
Metallic taste: Penicillin, amoxicillin, Augmentin, and cephalosporins (Ancef, Keflex) are commonly prescribed for acute sore throat, and ear and sinus infections, and they may lead to a metallic taste in your mouth.
What are signs that your liver is not functioning properly?
- Skin and eyes that appear yellowish (jaundice)
- Abdominal pain and swelling.
- Swelling in the legs and ankles.
- Itchy skin.
- Dark urine color.
- Pale stool color.
- Chronic fatigue.
- Nausea or vomiting.
Why do I have 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.
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Can dehydration cause metallic taste?
Common conditions that can cause a metallic taste A metallic or altered sense of taste can be due to the following conditions: Aging. Breathing through your mouth, which leads to a dry mouth. Dehydration.
What are the first few symptoms of Covid?
- Cough.
- Fever or chills.
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing.
- Muscle or body aches.
- Sore throat.
- New loss of taste or smell.
- Diarrhea.
- Headache.
Can diabetes cause a metallic taste in your mouth?
Some people with diabetes may also develop a metallic taste in their mouth. The reasons for taste disturbance vary, but might include medication or poor oral hygiene. Sometimes, a metallic taste in the mouth is also an early sign of diabetes.
What does it mean when u can taste metal?
CauseWhat you can doIndigestionthe taste should go away after treating indigestionBeing pregnantthe taste is usually temporary and clears up by itself
Does zinc deficiency cause metallic taste?
Changes in Your Taste Zinc is important for your sense of taste. In fact, zinc deficiency can result in a condition called hypogeusia, a dysfunction in your ability to taste ( 1 ). Interestingly, zinc in excess of the recommended levels may also cause taste alterations, including a bad or metallic taste in your mouth.
What part of the body itches with liver problems?
Itching associated with liver disease tends to be worse in the late evening and during the night. Some people may itch in one area, such as a limb, the soles of their feet, or the palms of their hands, while others experience an all-over itch.
What does stool look like with liver problems?
Your liver is the reason that healthy poop looks brown. The brown color comes from bile salts made by your liver. If your liver doesn’t make bile normally or if the flow from the liver is blocked, your poop will look pale like the color of clay. Pale poop often happens along with yellow skin (jaundice).
Does lemon water detox your liver?
Lemon water by itself is not a detox. Lemon water aids our bodies in the process of flushing the toxins out and restoring the liver. But to flush your system you will also need fiber, because let’s face it lemons while high in Vitamin C are not high in fiber.
What does a metallic taste in your mouth taste like?
Metallic taste is a taste disorder medically known as dysgeusia. It is an abnormal or impaired sense of taste, or an unpleasant alteration of taste sensation. It is usually described as persistent metallic, sour, bitter or other unusual or bad taste in the mouth.
When I cough I taste an infection?
An upper respiratory infection is a viral infection that passes from one person to another, irritating the nose, throat, and lungs. It often comes with congestion and a nagging cough. The phlegm, mucus, and discharge from the infection can have a metallic taste that enters your mouth when you cough.
When do COVID-19 symptoms start appearing?
Symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure to the virus. Anyone can have mild to severe symptoms. People with these symptoms may have COVID-19: Fever or chills.
How long after exposure to Covid are you contagious?
We know that a person with COVID-19 may be contagious 48 hours before starting to experience symptoms. People may actually be most likely to spread the virus to others during the 48 hours before they start to experience symptoms.
How is Covid cough?
This is usually a dry (unproductive) cough, unless you have an underlying lung condition that normally makes you cough up phlegm or mucus. However, if you have COVID-19 and start coughing up yellow or green phlegm (‘gunk’) then this may be a sign of an additional bacterial infection in the lungs that needs treatment.
How do you feel when your sugar is too high?
- Increased thirst.
- Frequent urination.
- Fatigue.
- Nausea and vomiting.
- Shortness of breath.
- Stomach pain.
- Fruity breath odor.
- A very dry mouth.
Why do I smell metal in my nose?
Some people can detect a metallic smell or other odors that can’t be smelled by anyone else around them because the smells aren’t real. This condition is called phantosmia, an olfactory hallucination that’s often triggered by a sinus condition. Other causes include: allergies.