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why do I have a constant dust or smoke smell in nasal passages

I have noticed over the past 2 weeks that I have a constant dust or smoke smell in my nasal passages. No one smokes in my home and I have cleaned my house from top to bottom to rid it of any dust. I am just concerned that there might be some underlying problem. The smell can get quite bothersome at times.Please give me any suggestions.
Kindest Regards,
Jackie Brienza
14 Responses
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Avatar universal
Iv had a cold for over a week now and been to doc. Sinuses are infected and have a nasal drip which means mucus drips down the back of my throat from my sinuses and nose. The smell apparently is from my sinuses.  I was advised to sick on menthol cough sweets to help keep the sinuses and nostrils clear. Today is my first day and so far it's cleared a little.  Fingers crossed.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I have the same problem as mentioned above. Mine is usually after I blow my nose, no matter the situation, I smell a dusty smell. I know when I'm in the shower and I blow my nose I am not smelling dust, and I work in a clean office and have a clean house with no animals so there isnt any way I'm actually smelling dust.
Its driving me crazy because I just had a bite of lunch and smelled the dust smell again.
Food is being ruined by this !
HELP
I am planning an appointment to a ENT specialist asap.
Perhaps I can shed some light soon for you all.
THanks
Craig T.
Erie, PA
Helpful - 1
2 Comments
I am so glad to see others having the same problem...I thought I was going crazy!  Mine isnt like cigarette smoke...just a dusty Smoke but it feels like I need to open all the windows but that doesnt help at all!
How did you make out with the ENT? Was it helpful?
Avatar universal
I suspected a fungal sinus infection so I flushed my nasal passages with a 1/16 solution of boric acid and distilled water yesterday afternoon. Smoke symptom disappeared and normal olifactory function restored. Nose is now working normally for the last 17 hours. Next time, I'll use a respirator when blowing leaves and mushrooms off my lawn.  --Len
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Avatar universal
I am wondering the same thing.Seems to be worst when the electric furnace is on and heating. I've been recently diagnosed with COPD and heart failure whatever, I'm on a lot of medication and was thinking the medication may have something to do with it. Please help if you know of anything. The ENT doctor I saw twice doesn't help. don_nickleride***@****
Thanks
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I am surprised and relieved too to find so many people having the same problem as mine. I do not smoke myself but, last month when some friends came over to my house, they smoked. Though they had been in my house only for an evening, I cannot get rid of this smoke smell everywhere around myself. At first I thought something was burning or somebody smoking in the neighbourhood, but after I found nothing of the sort, I understood that this smoke and burning smell is only within my respiratory tract. Whats the solution? Its killing me!!
Helpful - 1
1 Comments
I have started smelling dust as well. For the last five days it's been driving me nuts.  My house is extremely clean. I even rewashed my bedding and vacuumed the floors. I'm going to try to flush my sinuses tomorrow and see if it improves. I did recently stop taking an anti-depressant and an anti anxiety medication.  I'm wondering if this is a symptom of withdrawal.
Avatar universal
I too have for the past month smell cigarette smoke all day and night, it's very annoying since I have never smoke and can't stand the smell and do everything possible to stay away from it. I continuely ask everyone around me if they smell cigarette smoke, they are annoyed that I keep asking. I work in a hospital setting so I know there is no smoking inside the building and co-workers around me do not smoke. HELP I HATE THE SMELL.
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
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},viral infections and disorders in the smell perception centres.

In my opinion,a consultation of an ENT specialist or an allergist will be the best.

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

Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
I occasionally have this issue of smelling dust or smoke regardless of where I am. Literally I can be in a wide variety of locations from my home (very clean), to on an airplane, to driving in another state, to being in the wide open areas of a national park.  

However I can induce the sensation by drinking water with MiO in it for a few days in a row.  So I'm thinking it's something being eaten that causes the sensation.  My guess is an artificial sweetener. MiO uses three: Ace-K, Sucralose, and Stevia that is supposed to be a "natural sweetener".  I am going buy a MiO with each identified separately and see if one or more in particular creates the sensation.

If I can remember how to get back to this page, I'll be happy to report my findings.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I and my sister both have this sensation at times in our adult lives and we both figured it out independently, both coming to the same solution (we didn't know the other was experiencing until years later). For both of us it began when we were going through an incredibly stressful time in our adult lives. My sister would go as far as rewashing clothes that came directly out of the dryer even though nobody else could smell the smoke. We both determined that it is mental - when we get really stressed, we start "smelling" the smoke smell again. It's clear that it's all in our heads, so my theory is actually that it's not a smell, but rather a sensation that we are relating to the smell of smoke. I believe the sensation is caused by airways being restricted due to the stress (when you smell smoke you instinctively restrict air intake - so it's a similar 'sensation'). Now when I start smelling smoke, I focus on relaxing and the smell goes away. Hopefully this helps someone!
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Avatar universal
I think it’s s real particle that has a chemical on it that you inhaled into your nasal passages. Meanwhile, instead of lasting a day or 2 you may be constantly RE-exposing yourself to these particles by accident. A chemical bottle could be leaking in your basement or your attic at home or at work or across the street, etc. Consider relocating; air purifier; and a personal over-nose-mouth humidifier to wet particles down.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Has anyone found a solution to this annoying constant smell of smoke and dust in the nose?  It has been going on for a couple of months now.
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I too have found that I constantly smell dust or smoke. Did anyone have a solution?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
This happened to me about 6 mths ago when a tupperware melted on my stove it lasted about a month. Now I just burnt a grilled cheese sandwich 2 days ago and it's going on again...mine must be smoke caught I my sinuses or nose hairs.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have had the exact same thing for the past, maybe, 6 months.  I also have never smoked and work in a smoke free environment.  I started asking people at work if they smelled smoke, called the property manager, as I was suspicious that people were smoking on another floor (illegally), and everyone humored me for awhile, then told me they didn't smell it.  I smell it at home, in the car, and off and on all day.  If I push my nose up, it goes away, so I am thinking it must have something to do with my own nose.   I just googled it, and found this site.  So, an ENT may be the right person to see?   I feel ridiculous, but this is sooo annoying!  
Helpful - 0
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