Constant smoke smell in nasal passages. - Allergy

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Constant smoke smell in nasal passages.

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vj818

Aug 03, 2010

I have been having "phantom smoke smell for about 8 months now. I am in the medical field and I know nothing is wrong with my nasal passages, etc. I finally went to an experienced psychotherapist and she put me under (hypnosis). Brief history, my mother passed away about five years ago. I have been in a relationship with someone who is bringing up issues my parents have had. Anyway, my mom has been around. Don't know exactly what her message is but right now I feel that I have to work on the same issues they had.

vj818

Aug 05, 2010

BTW, both my parents smoked when I was younger. My father passed away 10 months after my mom.

The smoke I smelled went on for months and it did not matter what I was doing or where I was. The PhD psychologist. I went to also deals with the metaphysical. She first went through the physical and anatomical possibilities before we went into the subconscious. Since I wrote my first entry here, the smoke sensation has been gone. Maybe someone wants you to read this.

Ashdown

Aug 10, 2010

Happy to report that turps / brush cleaner smell and taste has dumbed down quite a lot - though coffee still smells and tastes awful. Maybe it is the nasal spray or maybe I just peaked and now its gradually getting back to what it was. I no longer smell exhaust fumes every time a car goes by - which was a problem as I couldn't have the windows open at work. Appointment in September for ENT - will have to see how things are by then.

Ashdown

Sep 09, 2010

Been to ENT - had camera up my nose. No polyps or anything untoward. Been given further nasal drops to reach right at the top and another appointment in 5 weeks. Was told that it is probably due to viral infection from last cold and condition may be permanent - oh joy!

She wasn't interested in the smoke smell or turps smell so have now resigned myself to this - unless the new drops improve things. Will keep my fingers crossed.

Tuan

Oct 05, 2010

To: All

I am having a similar issue with my sense of smell. No matter where I go, I can smell a faint sigarette odor. It's annoying, especially because I do not smoke. I don't know anyone who smokes. This has been happening for at least a month now. Anyone have any clue as to what's the caused and how to get rid of it? Thanks!

contactlensewearer

Oct 12, 2010

To: contact lense wearers

I also had a terrible problem with persistent cigarette smoke smell. I eventually linked the smell to my change to a new extended wear contact lense--Johnson and Johnson Acuvue Oasys. The problem would arise at the end of the wear cycle, and was exacerbated by dry conditions (i.e. planes). It took about four cycles of using the new lense before a problem arose, and then it would only arise at the end of the wear cycle. But it was terrible!! Once I stopped wearing the lenses for good, the problem stopped (though it took more than 24 hours the last time).

When dealing with your nose, don't forget that your eyes are linked to your nasal passages through your tear ducts.

TooSensitive

Oct 25, 2010

To: All

Regarding the cigarette smell - you may really be smelling the cigarettes and may have been inhaling them so it's in your system. You may live in an apartment or a home but cigarette smoke travels thru anything, anywhere! If you're a non-smoker, you can smell it. Or, another thing I just discovered was that smokers use deodorizers or other scented things like Glade. These cover the smell also and make you sick and is harmful to you. The other thing they use is the deoderizer, called the Smoker's Candles and it has a strange smell - it converts cigarette or marijuana smell into unrecognizable scents - until maybe the wind shifts and you can then smell all the cigarette/pot. The deoderizer really wipes your sense of smell and it is horrible. You cannot smell much yet smell that constant cigarette smell. I am having that problem now and even the Police nor the Fireman cannot smell anything, nor other neighbors unless you are very sensitve and desparate to resolve this nightmare without moving. It irritates your eyes, gags you, affects your breathing and your life. My other neighbor smokes a lot and I live in an apartment. She uses the scented stuff along with the deoderizer so you can't smell it much....all you notice is you continuously smell cigarettes everywhere else. To find out if they are using a deoderizer, try to cover your nose with your t-shirt for about 5 minutes. Then remove and breathe the air - you will notice awful smells all around you but then the deoderizer kicks in and makes your sense of smell disappear. It's awful and I am trying to find the next step, what I can do to resolve this issue!! Who can I call, what am I really breathing in and how to stop all this. Does anyone know? thanks.

coronagrl_77

Oct 26, 2010

To: All

I just went to ENT yesterday and he said that he thinks its OZENA. While he was checking my nose he told me he could smell it also. But he said to him it did not smell like cigarettes but he could see where I would mistake it for cigarettes. I go for a CT scan tomorrow for further research.

Mikki13

Oct 26, 2010

To: TooSensitive and CoronaGrl

I will mention this again in the hopes that it may help you. I just insisted my apartment manager replace my air conditioner/furnace combo. The owners were none too happy about it because it cost them alot of money, but I really don't care. My constant smoke/exhaust smell is now completely gone. It was gone as soon as the old unit was disconnected. Freon was leaking from the A/C lines (coils) and was causing me to have an awful throat burning, nose burning, eyes burning, smokey smell. No one else could smell it. Of course, all the maintenance people were men. If you are women, we are more susceptable to smells than men are...it is a proven fact. I could do the same thing, put my shirt over my nose for a few seconds and then the smell would go away for about three minutes. But then it would always come back. I highly suggest that you somehow get a certified A/C tech in you home/apartment, one with a leak detection meter. My A/C tech's lit up like a Christmas tree when directed towards my A/C coils. This was after over a year of fighting with my manager over this issue...'oh, we don't smell anything'...yea, right. But I did, and that's all that mattered. My husband didn't even smell it. So, after having this horrible experience for a long time, I am a MUCH happier person. I wish you much luck.

I_Smell_Smoke

Oct 31, 2010

I too had the same problem for 6 years and it was the fabric softener. I rewashed everything I have and the problem was gone in 2 days.

doowah

Dec 11, 2010

Yes, I wholeheartedly agree, it's definitely the fabric softeners guys! The dryer sheets especially, which probably leave a higher concentration of chemical on your clothes than the kind you add to the washer. I suffered with bouts of this problem on and off every week or so, where I would feel like I was constantly inside a smoke filled room, to the point where I felt that it was difficult to breath and my eyes would almost burn even! Once it began, this feeling would last for up to a week before finally subsiding, only to return again in another week or so. I also noticed that it seemed to be worse sitting than standing, which I couldn't explain at the time, but now attribute to the fact that when sitting, your arms and legs sort of form a trap which funnels the softener fumes up to your face. Anyway, I suffered with this problem for a couple of years before taking the advice of another contributer to this blog to try stopping the fabric softener. Once I convinced my wife to stop using the dryer sheets on my clothes, the problem quickly subsided, although I had what I would describe as sort of mild flashbacks of the experience, which probably took a month to completely resolve. Also, I now sometimes notice a faint reminder of the experience if I enter the room after my wife has been running the clothes dryer (she still uses the dryer sheets on her clothes).

Meg4kids

Dec 20, 2010

To: smoke smell peeps

OK I have been smelling smoke off and on since May 2010. It doesn't matter where i am in school or in my house and all are smoke free. it lasts about 30 seconds at a time and maybe 8-10 times a day. i went to doc 1st ,then ent ,then got a cat scan, mri ,and eeg... all say I am fine.. well that is great.. but what's with the smell. now thay are thinking of Epilepsy meds??? a little nervous of the side effects! please some feedback!

prairiekid

Dec 28, 2010

After I stopped smoking in 2001 my sense of smell became much more sensitive. I could smell things that other people couldn't. In the summer of 2002 I was at the scene of a house fire. Due to the remote location of the house, the fire department couldn't get their hoses to reach the house so people were making a bucket brigade, of which I was a part. I did not know the people whose home burned and it was not an emotional event for me personally. Smoke literally blanketed the air for hours, making it like being in a fog. After that fire I could smell the smoke in my sinuses for days. Even since then, off and on, I can smell smoke for days, even when I can't see the source of the fire. I think it might be from other people's fire places, like right now. It is cold and calm here, not windy. There is no breeze at all. It also always happens if I've been around a camp fire... I'll smell it for days after. I don't think it is abnormal for me. I just think I have a super refined sense of smell and it's something I must tolerate, because it's not always pleasant.

Researchergal

Mar 27, 2011

I came looking for a solution to my problem and am discouraged. I have been recovering from a head/chest cold for 2 1/2 weeks. Last week I suddently started smelling cigarette smoke (no one here smokes). I looked all over to see if we might have smoke coming from an outlet...I was afraid to go to sleep because I couldn't figure out what it was. I could smell it the next day at work. I was at a motel over the weekend and could smell it there too. I do see some people say it came on after a cold where they had lost their sense of taste. I did have that happen so am bummed by I can't seem to find a solution. I'm sure my doctor will think I'm crazy as will all of my family members...can't blame them...who would believe it?

Mikki13

Mar 28, 2011

To: shelives

If you live anywhere near a street, road, freeway, byway, highway, etc., that may be a reason for your constant smoke smell and taste of gasoline when you burp. I notice it a lot, but to me it smells like exhaust, and I can literally taste the smell (tastes like gasoline), and yes, even when I burp. So, if we can smell it, taste it, and burp it, it is no surprise. We are breathing it, swallowing it, and absorbing it through our pores. Wind inversion causes it to be stronger sometimes, but I always smell the noxious fumes. I bought an air purifier and it helps to a certain degree, but short of moving to the country well away from any traffic, it is an annoyance we may have to become accustomed to. I know this is not exactly what you may want to hear, nor may it be a viable solution. But, I believe this is something with which we have no other choice because we are living in a toxic environment/world. Good luck to you.

lilegg

Mar 31, 2011

To: everyone

hi
my husband thinks im mad cos i smell smoke all the time but no one else can.
the tecnical term for this is "phantosmia" or "olfactory hallucinations".
it can be caused by sinus problems,migrain,parkinsons disease , brian injury, temporal lobe epilepsy, brain tumours and stroke.
anyone who suffers this should ask their gp to be refurred to a neurologist.

heslop01

Apr 03, 2011

To: All

Hi all ... well I get this smell too and I'm epileptic and I was told by epilepsy organisations through reading on their website that this 'smell' is a hint that I'm about to have a seizure ...

Just thought I'd tell people that ... because it's something quite big ...

Not meaning to scare people by the way.

sacha123

Apr 05, 2011

To: everyone

I have been suffering from this for some time now. Cigarette/tobacco/burning smell. Just lately it has got a lot worse, it happens not only in my home but also in other places, so I know it is not just something in my house. I have a lesion in my right nostril, which was cauterised back in Jan 2011, which resulted in me having a very heavy nosebleed a few days later. I went to see my GP yesterday about the smell, but as I have an appointment with the ENT consultant in June, he was reluctant to do anything about it, and advised me to wait. Not sure whether to be worried or not!!

Mom2Son

Apr 07, 2011

To: All

I too have this sickening smell in my nose. I have an ENT appt soon so hope it helps. In the meantime I just wanted to say that this smell is not isolated like some have said. I smell it everywhere - at work, home, different offices, buildings and now out of town. I am sick of this! Being dizzy and nauseated all the time are no fun. I hope all of us find peace soon and something wonderful to smell!

Sweatpants

Apr 18, 2011

To: Researchergal

Im amazed. I thought i was the only one with this problem. I had an electrical problem with an inverter in my truck. It started burning. After about 2 weeks without one i purchased a new one that works fine, but then i started smelling the ashy smell. It smells like a campfire all the time. Something is in my nasal passages that makes my eyes burn too. I figure all that stuff ENT are connected. What is the solution? I have used nasal sprays and that just seems to make me smell it more. Can anyone help?

ladychurch

Apr 22, 2011

I am a smoker, but I've never had a problem with this lingering smoke-type of smell until about 6 months ago. It's intermittent. I'll have it for half a day and then it's gone the next day for a few days or a week, (sometimes longer), and then it comes back for another day. It never lasts for more than a day. I've been taking Optifresh Breath Gels hoping no one else can smell it, because it's pretty rank, but they don't seem to do anything for the smell in my nose. I even put hand sanitzer in my nose hoping to get rid of it, but that doesn't work either. Could it be an infection? I didn't start having any sinus problems until I moved from the Great Lakes to Colorado, so I'm thinking that may be the case.

mya64

May 07, 2011

I have been having phantom smoke smells since attending a music festival back in August called Shambhala. I slept in my van for 3 nights and could have sworn that somebody was blowing smoke into the window. It was stifling and left me gasping at times. Later I continued to experience the same smell only when I looked back at photos of the festival or talked about it. Now...I consider myself a rational minded person so my first thought was that I had somehow affected my brain synapses with experiencing the loud music, intense light show...and yes a wee bit of recreational drugs. I believed that until 6 months later when a friend smelled the smoke smell while we where discussing our plans of attending the festival this year. She was so sure somebody was smoking near us. That was impossible.
I finally had to tell her my experience about the smells AND how they only seem to appear when I thought or mentioned the music fest. Her experience of that smell has caused me to totally change my hypothesis. Soon after the smell became so strong that my chest began to hurt from the pressure. I had no other recourse than to assume that it could be malevolent energy that had followed me. I am not religious but had only that to grasp onto and demand in the name of Christ that whatever was around me leave. It did instantly! I was smoke smell free for 2 months Here's the catch. It has returned even stronger in the past 2 days and nothing I try is working. Has anyone else considered a possible paranormal connection. I am at my wits end. Some other freaky things have happened around this as well that I would not even consider posting here at the risk of sounding like a total flake. I am only on this site at my boyfriends request as even he is concerned. BTW I am 45 years old and consider myself a rational educated strong woman. (not a flake)

AcidGirl

May 14, 2011

To: EVERYONE - SOLUTION!!

I HAD BEEN SMELLING/TASTING THE SMOKY SMELL FOR ABOUT A WEEK - HAVE BEEN DIETING RECENTLY AND HAD A FLARE UP OF ACID REFLUX AS A RESULT. After some research, I developed a theory that the smell was a result of the gases venting from my stomach into my esophagus due to the Acid Reflux. I went to my doctor and she agreed that what I was experiencing was most likely caused by Acid Reflux. She advised me to double up on the over the counter Prevacid (so 30 milograms total). First day of doubling up, smell went from every minute or so, to maybe a dozen incidents all day and very faint smelling. Second day - NO SMOKE SMELL!!!!

Just wanted to point out some things - For those making the antiobiotic connection - Antibiotics can cause/increase acid reflux. For those making the weight loss connection which was where my issue stemmed from, dieting and exercise can cause/increase acid reflux. BTW - you can have Acid Reflux with no symptoms.

This is what I found to be causing my smoky smell issue. From reading everyones posts here and on other simliar sites, here are my theories:

If you are smelling the smell constantly with no difference in sitting or standing and no other symptoms, it may be a deep sinus infection, or acid reflux (EVEN IF YOU DONT HAVE SYMPTOMS OF EITHER) - have your doctor check you out to confirm.

If you are smelling it intermittently, more prominently after meals, when sitting, its most likely acid reflux. Try Prevacid or any other similar med and see if there is an improvement.

I really hope that my personal break through can help people dealing with this as i know it can be really annoying and scary to deal with. BTW, If you dont want to use medication, try changing your diets. Look up Acid Reflux to get an idea of what foods help and what foods to avoid.

Please post and let me know if this helped anyone!

alisha126

May 31, 2011

To: Everyone

I Smoke cigarettes, and two days ago I caught strep throat, I didnt go to the doctor because I had some amoxicillin left over from a previous virus, so I had been taking those, and now this morning I woke up with this smell in my nose and throat and makes me gag! I attempted to smoke a cig, and the smell was so bad I vommited. I have been gaging on and off all morning now, and I couldnt even eat.. its like the smell wraps around the food in my mouth and makes me gag too !!

Laughton

May 31, 2011

To: All

Thank you to whoever first posted this problem.  For over ten years we have been smelling cigarette smoke and though I have never noticed anyone outside smoking, I always thought it had to be a heavy smoker somewhere in this multi-building large apartment complex.

Today the smell is so strong that it caused a very rare headache and a nauseous feeling so I decided to search the web to see if anyone else had this problem.  It was a big surprise to see the thousands of comments about this all over the Internet.

Sometimes the smell has been so strong that it seemed like it was someone smoking right outside our outside door and on worse days inside our apartment.

The tips about the air conditioning are good.  I clean the wall air conditioner filter and coils regularly. However I don't recall whether it reduced the smell.  I'll try again.

I haven't used dryer sheets in years yet do laundry either in the laundry room in the apartment complex or in a public laundromat.  I have heard that dryers get build-up from those sheets so perhaps that's another source.

The computer sometimes seems to emit or be the source of the smell.  I wonder if something inside the laptop is the source.

Mikki13

Jun 01, 2011

To: Laughton

As well as cleaning you A/C filter and coils regularly, you may want to check for leaks, especially around the copper connectors. Mix a small amount of liquid dish soap with a large amount of water (about one tsp soap to a couple of cups of water) and put that in a fine mist spray bottle. Then spray those copper lines and connectors. If you see any fine white bubbles anywhere along that tubing, you have a freon leak. I ended up with a new A/C unit to get rid of the annoying smell of what I thought of as exhaust. On occasion I do still smell exhaust, but that is always when the wind is blowing this direction from the heavy interstate traffic.

Markavian

Jun 05, 2011

To: Everyone

I've just started suffering from this problem this morning - I can smell a constant "burning" wherever I am. I've just had the "sniffles" for a week, which might have been a cold/virus - but I also spent last night in a room with a fairly old AC/Heater unit.

The last time my nose felt anything like this was when I accidentally boiled butter in a pan while making a cake - my sense of smell was destroyed for over a month.

This is a bit different though, I can still smell and taste other things, but there's this constant background smell that I can't ditch. Its very distracting.

Mikki13

Jun 06, 2011

To: Markavian

Since this started this morning, I think you have answered your own question. Older A/C's tend to leak (new ones can also) and also have mold and other nasty stuff. If you are not going to be exposed to this old A/C unit constantly, then I think your 'smoke smell' will go away soon. If you ARE going to be exposed to this unit in the future, I would suggest opening it and cleaning it thoroughly. Then spray some soapy water along the lines to see if little white bubbles indicate a freon leak. Freon smells like car exhaust to me, but it could be described by others as a smoky type smell.

I feel your pain.

Laboots

Jun 20, 2011

To: Everyone

Because of your posts and comments, I finally went to my GP. I have had the smoke smell for almost 2 months. First it started as just the annoying smell, and then the eyes started burning and the nausea. I seemed like someone was just blowing smoke in my face until I wanted to gag. It was in different locations, different times of the day and all in smoke free environments. I even went so far as to check my son’s rooms thinking they were sneaking and smoking in the middle of the night.

My family physician was awesome. Listened to my concerns and discussed some possible causes. He suggested we start with some blood work, and then if the symptoms persisted an MRI. Well, my thyroid count was very low almost non-existent. I started taking 100 mg of Levothyroxine and 2 weeks later, no smoke smell. I will continue to get my blood levels checked.

leslie12

Jul 22, 2011

To: Everyone

My burnt smell problem began last autumn and seems to only occur when I am indoors near vented air (e.g. air conditioning or heating vents). It never happens outdoors. On most days it occurs intermittently when I am near vents (it is never constant). It does, however, lead to slight inflammation of my nasal pasages. My ENT (like most of your ENTs ) didn't have a clue to the problem. He sent me for a Brain MRI and I was fine. Now he thinks I might benefit from going to a center for smell and taste disorders at the University of Pennsylvania. I may do this if my problem ever worsens. My own suspicion is that I have an indoor allergy caused by mold, dust, or something similar. It manifests itself as occasional burnt smell. (I also have polyps in my nose.) If anyone suffers from something similar, and has advice for me, I would much appreciate it. However, please keep in mind my precise symptoms, which may be very different from yours. I wish you all good luck and I hope someday the medical community will catch up with what we have, and stop scaring everyone into thinking they have brain tumors, especially when these smells are intermittent, and caused by specific environmental conditions.

redrose490

Jul 25, 2011

To: Everyone

I started having a persistent yet intermittent smell of cigarette smoke in my apartment a few months ago. I live in a senior property, and it is a no smoking property. Sometimes it is so bad I can barely stand it. Then I realized that I could smell it in some of the stores I frequent and then I started smelling it in my car sometimes. Finally I came to realize that it is a problem with me, since no one who comes to visit me smells it when I do. It seems to come and go, I can have it for several days and then not have it happen for a few weeks. I have been using a cpap machine (breathing machine) for about a year, and I am wondering if it could possibly be related to that. I am going to pursue this with my doctor. I am miserable, it gets so bad I feel like I am choking and gasping for air. I have always hated cigarette smoke and have been extra sensitive to it. I cannot stand to even be in the same area with someone who is smoking and if I am I have to come home, strip off my clothes and wash my hair before I can go to sleep. I do not have A/C, but do have forced air electric, although it is summer and I am not using my heat. I do use my laptop for several hours daily, but find that I can smell it in the evenings while watching television when my laptop is shut down for the night. I am really frustrated over this matter, and in the meantime I will try all suggestions listed above. I am just glad to hear that I am not the only one suffering.

hennis2884

Aug 18, 2011

To: Everyone

I had my first occurrence of the phantom smoke smell over 9 years ago, but it has only happened maybe 5 times, total. I used to think it was dust burning in the ventilation slots of my computer monitor at work but I have realized over time the smell is with me everywhere I go... home, work, gym, stores. It tends to last for a few weeks and then fades away. I currently have it again now. Sometimes it gets so bad I become sick to my stomach. It is NOT caused by an HVAC unit, acid reflux, fabric softener, contact lens solution, or living in a "toxic environment". It is something medical, I am sure of, whether it's sinus or brain-related is yet to be determined. I see my Dr next week and will start the investigation then.

JayeRD

Aug 23, 2011

To: Everyone

I am a retired senior citizen (68) who is home most of the time. I live in a house built in the '60s. My A/C condenser went out, and I couldn't afford to replace it yet, so I've been using window A/C units this summer, but trying to keep the filters clean regularly.

I've been smelling this funky smell off and on for months, wondering what it is. I've even thought my little mini Schnauzer might have a strange smell, but I keep her clean, and she's an indoor dog. Even when I get very close to her, it doesn't seem to be her that is smelling strange.

Today the smell became so bad and constant that I became worried either a fire was smoldering somewhere in the house (attic, perhaps?) and the smell coming through the ceiling vents or there might be sewer gas coming from the drain of the only shower in the house that hasn't been updated.However, if there were a fire, my smoke alarms would have sounded, and they didn't.

It is kind of an acrid smell, not actually like smoke and certainly not like cigarettes (which I would identify easily because cig smoke bothers me tremendously), but similar to a smokey smell, if that makes any sense.

That's the problem. No one else who comes into my house seems to smell it! I've asked my son, who visits frequently, and he doesn't smell anything bad or unusual. Also asked other visitors, who claimed they didn't smell anything.

I walked around the house today sniffing everywhere, trying to find the source of this smell, but couldn't narrow it down to anything but MY NOSE. It is still driving me nutty, but at least I'm not worried about fire any more.

I have suffered from sinusitis in the past, but always have symptoms. No symptoms at this time.

I've read all the posts about phantom smells on this forum, and hope that it is nothing serious affecting me. I fainted without warning about 6 months ago, and had a concussion, but was sent to hospital and had a brain scan that showed nothing wrong. (I still have a sore knot on my head, though!)

I already have an appointment with my GP in two days, so I will tell her about this strange smell. In the meantime, I'm going to get my son to take the fronts off the window A/C units and let me clean and sanitize them thoroughly in case there are mold spores.

I'll check back here after talking to my doctor on Thursday. I hope she has encountered something like this before, or she may think I'm crazy!

freefromsmell29

Sep 27, 2011

To: All

I have found that my constant smelling of smoke was due to my contact lenses. I had read a post suggesting the link. At first I tried a fresh pair. It seemed to help for a short period, then it returned. I have switched to my glasses for the past week or two and it has never returned. Not sure if it builds up in my system, or if I have become allergic to the material in these contacts over time. I just know that I no longer smell it. It's wonderful. So happy that someone posted the initial comment, otherwise I never would have found out what was doing it.

Cooper917

Sep 29, 2011

To: All

I also reported to my doctor that I was having a problem with smelling smoke, I believed that I had a sinus infection so I wanted to know if that was a sign of a really bad infection or what...her response to me was..."Do you smoke?" as if I was stupid enough to not know that if I smoked then I would smell smoke! From what I am reading, it seems that the doctors are either non-responsive, dont care, dont answer, or completely ignore the "smoke" symptom. WHY? Seems like there are enough people on here to validate it. Why dont they believe us? or care?

Jason

Gmolly

Sep 29, 2011

I have been smelling smoke to just after I finished prednisone. I believe it's caused by one of three things if not a combination of all. It's either from a yeast infection from taking prednisone , or coffee or vitamin deficiency .I have stopped drinking coffee and started a multi-vitamin and took something for oral yeast caused from prednisone. For 2 days now the smoke smell is much much lesser !! Praise God !!!!!! I will continue !!!

vegetarainzombie

Oct 12, 2011

im 18 and i keep gettin the smell of smoke its not all the time but like a couple of times a day, im really scared its a tumor, but im going to ask my mom to take me to the doctor... wish me luck !

maesawelon

Oct 15, 2011

To: Anyone

Have been experiencing what i can only describe as musty cigarette smoke constantly in my nose and i'ts driving me crazy as i have never smoked and detest it's smell. The only explaination i have for it is that i have undergone extensive dental work as due to bad infection i had to have bone graft and implants, i had to have numerous injections around my upper teeth and experienced a lot of problems around my nasal area, im now left wondering if this has caused my problem, has anyone else had similar treatment and then had this after effect. Has it been caused by all the chemicals in the injections?

MsB1969

Oct 16, 2011

To: all

I am a 42 year old woman with some health issues. I seem to have only one or two symptoms or common meds with some and not others. My smoke smell, smells like a strong extinguished campfire. It began a month or two ago. Now I do have a LOT of stress.(nothing new) I have been taking Wellbutrin. But the smells started when I began taking the diet pill Adipex. No nasal problems, no colds, no sinus issues. Just the sudden onset of the smell. It is very nauseating and I am tired of it. I am going to try the nasal rinsing first, I guess. I am also going to talk to the Dr that prescribed the Adipex. Any other ideas not mentioned on this forum?

Willgetbacktoyou

Oct 27, 2011

To: All

I've been smelling the smoke smell for about six weeks now, first at work, then at home, which was when I knew it was in my nose! What I'm not seeing anyone else talk about are many other symptoms. Started with obvious dizziness and progressed to muscle aches/tension, especially in shoulders and neck, jaw pain, facial numbness, and headaches. Went to doctor and was put on Z-Pac and Tamiflu; neither helped. Thing that makes most sense to me is yeast, since it is smoky, maybe moldy smell, unlike infection, and mucous is clear and not yellow or green. Also, nose is not really that stuffy, just thick feeling. Plus, some sites about yeast talk about all of these flu-like symptoms it can cause. Going to ENT and will report back.

Di33065

Nov 01, 2011

To: vj818

Finally!! I was sitting here waiting to read something about the Paranormal.I have had encounters with spirits since the age of five.My fiance who died of leukemia a few yrs. ago smoked as did my new Husband's wife who died of cancer.I smell cigerrette smoke(occasionaly) as if someone is blowing it in my face as to say "Hello! I'm here." We do not smoke or live with anyone,our AC is fine,so I'm just saying,keep an open mind.I have also smelled flowers where there were none but for the last year mainly cig. smoke.I am an educated woman,I have a wonderful life and trust in God but somehow,some way these things do happen to some of us.I have to say that I was surprised to hear that other people smell cig. smoke too,but I don't have it constantly or any problems with taste.Thanks for listening...Di

jalo01

Nov 03, 2011

To: willgetbacktoyou

YES! Your symptoms are exactly the symptoms that I am having! I am really, really getting bummed feeling this way. It's sickening and disgusting. I have too many things I need to do, and we are going out of town next weekend as my husband is runnning in a marathon. I sure hope you come back to this site with "THE" solution. I don't have medical insurance, and to be perfectly honest, I seriously don't put my trust in any doctor-- especially after reading that even an ENT can't figure it out. That is really inept as THAT is there field of expertise. You can't convince me that we (discussing this thread) are the only few people who have ever experienced this and a doctor has never heard of this before. Honestly, I put much more stock in "online forums" than I ever would in a "doctor".

jalo01

Nov 03, 2011

To: all

... as I continued reading this topic, but in another thread-- I wanted to add that I seriously feel that this problem began only after I spent about 1 hour on Monday evening in the presence of a "smoker". Gagggg! Ughh! If only a smoker KNEW what they smell like and how their smoking effects others.

smokeybandit

Nov 04, 2011

To: All

I have had this for two years now, I think it started after a severe cough and cold but it started out smelling like parmesan cheese and has now morphed into a strange smoke smell. I am a 47 female, wear glasses, suffer from dry eyes and a nasal drip (Very glam I know!) If I block one nostril up I can't smell it and sometimes don't for days. My doctor says they now think persistant coughs are being linked to acid stomach/reflux and I do get a corker at least once a year. I have now been given Beconase Aqueous nasal spray for the drip and I'm sure it's worse as the smell of lightly toasted toast is horrendous like the house is burning down. So after two years I am still no wiser really but I live in hope, good luck to everyone with it. Keep your peckers up! : )

leafdance

Nov 15, 2011

I live in an apt. with a cigarette smoker below my apt., to the left of my apt. the floor above me and I am a non smoker. I have lived here for over 30 years and this seems like the apt building from smoke hell. I just had the flu and found out I have double pnemonia (pneumonia) and after staying home for 3 weeks can't tell you what the stench of cigarette smoke smells like in my house, that I never really noticed because I work! It is so incredible how selfish people are in polluting our world, homes and lungs! And why do I stay here, because believe it or not there are smokers every where!

Mk91

Nov 22, 2011

To: RHCountess

I have the same problem as you and im glad i am not the only person as the doctors and ENT does not know what it is it's been driving me mad. I smell different stuff like rotting flesh, cigerette smell n gas. If i sniff hard or inhale smoke the smells come, apart from that i have no problems with my health just low vitamin and iron. I had bad sinus infection a year ago which i left untreated fr a bit, aftter i started smelling bad smell i have tried prescribed nasal sprays which didnt work, i had a endoscope and ct scan i was told nothing has been found my sinuses are fine and i will just have to live with it. Its hard living with it not knowing what it is and theres no treatment for it

lakefern

Nov 25, 2011

very interesting...i spent abot 5 mins with a smoker..no ventilation in the room....and had to go out side..the next day i went to the chiropractor and the folowing night the smell started in my nose..it started with the smell of furnace, and then dust and then dirt and earth.. it is now like i have 20 burning cigarettes up my nostrils..it is the most disgusting thing I have ever encountered..and its not getting better its getting worse. the doc said to keep my nose moist...so i am using saline spray and polysporin.....he said my nose has an inflammation and if it doesnt help then to use an antibiotic spray that he gave me the prescription for....i think i will just smoke....and maybe enjoy it...Is that possible? this is really disgusting...

LilRed76058

Nov 30, 2011

My father has been smelling and tasting what he describes as "charcoal" all the time. He has not been able to eat much due to this and has lost too much weight in a short period of time. He also cannot be around people that smoke or that are grilling outside as it flares up this smell and taste. I am worried about him and hoping to find some answers for him. He seems to think that he caught a virus from mice at one of his part-time jobs. He stocks shelves at a small retail store that has cat and dog food that the mice are attracted to... If anyone is having similar symptoms and has some answers please let me know... Thanks

Nursnomore

Dec 01, 2011

I've been reading the posts about smelling an exhaust odor, which I have as well, then started reading the posts about smelling cigarette smoke where no one is smoking, which I was experiencing before it became the exhaust odor. Then I was in a car wreck where the air bags deployed and, after several weeks of noticing no unusual odors, suddenly started smelling car exhaust odors. I also have to say that it is not detectable when I breathe in deeply and swiftly. I honestly thought there was a generator running at the barn down the hill but there is no such thing. No one else in the house smells the odors I do. It seems quite strange to me that so many other people are experiencing this very phenomenon. Anyone into conspiracy theories have a scenario that could explain this seemingly widespread affliction???

Brufti

Dec 01, 2011

To: All writers

It is not cigarette smoke or a burning smell that is my problem.   I 'sense' an
odour which I cannot properly identify.   When at its worst it is akin to
rotting chicken meat combined with stale boiled cabbage.   I experience it
wherever I may be but no-one else around me detects it.   I was concerned
that it may be body odour or a tooth problem but my wife says my body does not give off any unpleasant odour, but exactly the opposite and that my breath too is 'clean'.    I have suffered with bad sinus problems many years ago but with no unpleasant associated smells.   My doctor is as puzzled asI am and is a present looking into my 'cocktail' of medicines for heart problems including recent pacemaker insert to see if any connection.

Cicelysmom

Dec 04, 2011

To: Phantom Cigarette Smoke Sufferers

I 'll add my experiences for research purposes. .
1) The cigarette smoke smell began after my mother died
2) I did experience a nosebleed during her funeral.
3) The house where we were staying had a furnace outage. It was built in the 1930's.
4) When in church this am (sitting over a vent) strong odor once again.
5) Drank a glass of champagne late afternoon and it came back.

ANSWERS12345678

Dec 13, 2011

To: ANSWER

Wanna know what it is? ... goto your car, or manual for your car..  locate the cabin filter...

change it.

Yes.. crazy as it sounds.. I did everything you guys already stated. I in fact smoke.. and have for like 20 years.. never have I ever had smoke smell in my smelling.. yes that sounds odd.. but smoking is a different all together smell.. its unoticable. unless your  directly smelling the lit end directly up your nose.

Most people dont even know theirs a CABIN FILTER in your car.. ok winter heat.. filter.. BUT.. summer air conditioner.. The coils on the airconditioner are moist all summer.. hot, cold, wet dry... constantly.. which causes what?? what??... MOLD. now when the fall weather comes.. its dry, cold weather dry.. and now what?? yep... this mold turns to dust.. and blows in you face.. all winter spring, summer.. fall.. etc.

Seriously for $20-$30.. change the cabin filter.. its a start.   I KNOW! PEOPLE HAVE NO CLUE ABOUT THIS FILTER.  They assume the usual car filter thats near your intake. nope.. CABIN FILTER.

try it.  I looked for mine with this van I bought 2 years ago.. ( same smoke issues during the ownership of this van)... guess what? took the cover off to pull cabin filter out.. and NO FILTER AT ALL.. a piece was broken and I guess the lady pulled the old filter out and could not get the new one in.. and just left it out. Can you say pure road dust, pollen, mold, everything outdoors basically in my vehicles ventalation system

Try this guys.. anything helps for better breathing.

joanie2

Dec 27, 2011

To: vj818

I saw your comment about smelling smoke. I also smell smoke. Did you get the CT scan. It is crazy!

rickmaryland03

Dec 27, 2011

My wife has this. Does anyone have diagnosed Fibromyalgia? My wife has Fibromyalgia rather severely.
She takes Warfarin, Flecinide and Mycardis. She is overweight. Has complained of a longterm headache on and off for several years. Any connections outthere?

crdmkr

Dec 31, 2011

To: all

yes, I have severe fibromyalgia, longterm headaches,Chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, asthma, etc.etc. I have been smelling smoke for 6 months now and it is driving me crazy. It wakes me up out of my sleep choking sometimes. I have hypothyroidism and just notice a small lump on my lymph node on my neck. I am going to the doctors on again on Jan.3 and will finally mention this smoke smell thing as well and see what he has to say, to see if he thinks it is neurological. I have been taking anti-depressants as well as topamax, gabapentin, & I am wondering if they are affecting me as well.

3beauti3

Jan 03, 2012

To: vj818

Hello,

I have been smelling a cigarette smell in my nose for the last 2 years; it also smells like diesel or exhaust at times. My neighbor 50 feet away smokes constantly and I thought it might be that at first, but I later realized I smell it constantly, randomly and anywhere. I am a lifelong non-smoker and non-drug user, into natural, organic foods and yoga and generally very healthy. I had a motorcycle accident at 14, 40 years ago and had many nasal reconstructions and this may be a reason also both my parents smoked during my childhood. I also thought about the paranormal aspect but haven't done anything about that yet. I am so glad I just did a google search about cigarette smell in my nose and found this forum. I do use dryer sheets and re-use them about 7 to 10 times each so this could be a culprit as my towels, clothes and bed linen are all dried with them and I am surrounded by some of those things anywhere I go. Somehow comforting but also disturbing that there are SO many of us with the same symptoms. It would be nice if someone came up with a cure or solution for everyone. Thanks all for sharing.

eltopiafrank

Jan 03, 2012

To: VJ818

The nose, once sensitized, can be a very sensitive detector of chemicals in the air. It may help to know that smoke sometimes collects in pockets indoors, a particular corner of the room etc.

Furthermore, even using the oven, or burning a piece of toast, may put smoke into the house's interior, which may be smelled for days or perhaps weeks. I once was blaming the neighbor for burning his wood-stove, because there was a strong odor of smoke in my house. When I stepped outdoors, however, there was no odor of smoke! It was already in my house and was not leaving very fast.

I have a special air filter, which cleans the air to super-clean standards, and this is in addition to the normal filters that most people have on their AC.

Even so, smoke lingers for a long while once it is in the air, and the smoke odor can be renewed by over-cooking a piece of toast or allowing a single drop of sugar to fall into the bottom of the oven.

bchusie

Jan 04, 2012

To: Gmolly

I started smelling phantom cigarette smoke 6 days ago. I am now in a completely different location and state, not around any smokers, and still smelling the smoke. So I believe it has nothing to do with my environment. I did have eye surgery on December 19 and started taking Prednisone on December 29 due to lingering swelling. I already take a multi vitamin, but will try something for a yeast infection (suggested by GMolly) and Pepcid AC for acid indigestion as suggested by someone else. I will let you know if I notice any improvements. Fingers crossed!!!

bchusie

Jan 09, 2012

To: bchusie

I don't know why, but the smoke smell decreased on day 8 and was gone by day 9. I am now on day 11 and it is still gone. I did take several doses of Pepcid AC, but that was about it. Don't know if the cause was the surgery and swelling, the Prednisone or something else. I am happy to say it is gone and I do wish all the rest of you luck in your results. I agree with 3beauti3 that it is stranglely good and bad to know there are so many others out there with these symptoms. This forum is a good way to share information, though.

eltopiafrank

Jan 10, 2012

To: Everyone

I am beginning to realize that if we all boiled our food rather than cooking it in the oven or on the stove, we would produce a lot less smoke. Once your lungs (and nose) are sensitized to smoke, you will detect it even when the amount present is minute. Even baking a cake produces smoke.

Secondly, our homes are becoming more and more airtight, and modern home construction methods may be to blame for concentrating smoke and pollution indoors; that is something that should be studied. Since my last two homes, both newer construction, I have noticed that a little smoke outdoors usually results in MORE smoke indoors: Smoke seems to penetrate homes concentrate indoors, whereas smoke in the outdoors gets mixed, diluted and swept away by wind.

Pay close attention to small producers of smoke. That may solve the riddle for most though perhaps not all of us.

Dolly186

Jan 11, 2012

To: vj818

Ok, here is the deal regarding Phantom Smoke smell, I promise you, it is not a "medical" problem in the sense there is something medicine can cure... Once you realize it is nothing more than stress the smell will stop. If you are smelling cigarette smoke and you wave your hand in front of your face the smell will stop. I have had people tell me they actually pulled a blanket over their head to stop the smell... If the smell is "phantom" putting a blanket over your head will not help, however, It does help because it is a symptom brought on by stress, even if you do not realize you are stressed. It's just your subconscious tricking you... I,Too, thought it was my dad, who was a smoker, coming back with a message from the great beyond. However, once I realized I could wave the smell away, I realized exactly what was happening... nothing more than my subconscious reacting to stress.Once you realize that is all it is, I promise, you will never smell Phantom Smoke again... I had the problem for 8 months, looked it up on line, figured out what it was... never had the problem again!!!

metroccfd

Jan 22, 2012

To: ALL

FOR 3 YEARS. After extensive MRI's, CAT Scans, sinus surgeries, X-Rays....It turns out to be ALLERGIES! I smelled smoke for 3 years. At first it wasn't odd since I am a fireman. So I discounted it. Up until I transferred to a specialty station that no longer handles structure fires. Maybe the smell was stuck in my turnout gear? Nope, Got new gear issued to me and there it was again. So off to specialists I go. In short, an over the counter allergy medication known as fexofenadine (ALLEGRA) without the pseudoephidrine, solved everything! I just so happened to borrow some from my engineer when I forgot my traditional/antihistamine medication of choice (Claritin & Zyrtec). I tried all other allergy meds in the past and over looked the Allegra stuff due to the cost and the ignorance that "all allergy and sinus meds are the same". Well it took a couple of doses for me to realize that I no longer smelled the smoke. After my second dose, I could almost time it to when the smoke smell would start to come back. In the beginning, I smelled a campfire-like smoke along with the burning eyes. After the fexofenadine, the smoke smell morphed to cigarette-like smell then ultimately to paper or lint-like burning smell. After 6 days of taking the allergy meds, the smell of burning has gone away. I can still sense when the medication is wearing down, when I start to smell a hint of smell like a hot dry summer day. DRINK A BUNCH OF WATER on this stuff. Not saying that this is the cure, since I don't dare discontinue taking the allegra yet. However, it has given me back my sanity. The guys at work razzed me about it for years saying it was my brain cells spontaneously combusting! I hope this info helps someone. I would try each med until I found the one that worked. I imagine that each of us have a different reaction to the various OTC allergy meds, name brand to generic. Give it a shot! I CAN FINALLY SMELL THE ROSES!!!

Ms_Deb

Jan 31, 2012

To: I Smell it too!

I don't smoke and my family and friends don't either. For the last couple months I have been smelling cigarette smoke, on and off. I do have allergies. I have been using a prescribed nasal spray for years & Claritin. I was thought to have Asthma & for years I was on an inhaler. A few years ago, I was told I don't have asthma but the doctor left me on Pro Air. I took myself off ProAir the beginning of 2012, my thought being if I don't have Asthma why am I taking Pro Air? So, the phantom cigarette smoke is allergies. Well, guess I'll make a doctor appointment. P.S. I thought I was nuts, so glad I am not alone.

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