Constant smell of cigarette smell in my nasel passage

[MishieB]

For 8 days now I have had this constant smell of cigarette smoke in my nasel passage.  I went out last Sat. night with some girlfriends & they were all smoking (at her house,  &in her truck)  I do not smoke nor does anyone in my family)  Since then I can not get this smell out of my noise.  I have read some other people's messages & I can not believe other people have experienced the same thing.  I do beleive it could have something to do with stress/ anxiety.  My Dad died suddendly in May & my world has been very stressful with other 'stuff happening as well this year.  Any suggestions on how I can get this smell out of my nose????

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,

Without examination it is very difficult to confirm a diagnosis, but the symptoms are suggestive of allergies to smoke or air borne allergies.Other possibilities may be recent sinusitis,nasopharyngeal problems, olfactory hallucination {(phantosmia)you detect smells that are not really present in your environment}and disorders in the smell perception centres.

In my opinion,a consultation of an ENT specialist or an allergist will be the best.People who are allergic to smoke can smell it even if a little smoke is present in their surroundings..

Hope it helps.Take care and pls do keep me posted on how you are doing or if you have any additional doubts.

[tampadanny]

I used a zinc based nasal decongestant called Zicam and burned the inside of my nose. Shortly thereafter I started to smell cigarette smoke and confronted my new neighbor in the condo next door. He doesn't smoke. I thought I was all alone until I found this thread.
Tampadanny