smelling like smoke

[ubuntus]

From childhood my daughter smells of some phantom smoke(like cigarette).When she is  stressed this smell comes very often.now she notices that upper lid of her left eye starts twitching all the time when she is emotionally not okay.is she sick?

[nursegirl6572]

Are you saying SHE smells like smoke (as in others can smell smoke around HER) or she smells smoke when upset?

The second could be much easier to explain than the first.  Can you share anymore info about her?  Does she have any diagnosed medical or psychiatric illnesses?  Take any medication?  Any other pertinent info?  Could you describe the smell?  When it occurs, and with what frequency?

Hope to be able to help!

[TheLightSeeker]

Hi ubuntus.

What your daughter has,  is called phantosmia, parosmia or cacosmia (from greek meaning "bad odor"-I'm of Greek origin and have a degree also in Greco-Roman linguistic studies, was top in my class in medical terminology lol! which really helps !)

There are two distinct possibilities.
1. A traumatic event in the past got associated strongly with the smell of smoke (being part of the traumatic experience)
Any emotional states resembling the  emotions during the original event, act as triggers.
The traumatic event need not be a devastating event indeed, but according to your daughter's perception at the time, it was experienced by her as such! So please do not try to apply your logic to this.
Also, physical articles, food items etc resembling items from the original scene could also trigger emotions, resembling the original emotions.

2. Physical damage to the Olfactory Receptor Neurons from an injury, or an infection or condition that could cause neuronal damage to the odor processing center  of the brain, or even sustained exposure to fumes, gas,
smoke or other harmful substances could result in ORN damage.
Did she ever have any exposure to any toxic or dangerous substances, or seizures, or physical trauma or serious infectious conditions in the past?

There are no known medical cures for this, however, in possibility #1,
I may have a suggested treatment, that you can look into. And # could be improved, depending the cause. It could be a treatable underlying cause.

Can you post again with some more details, like her age,any other symptoms, anything that might have to do with this issue?
It will be helpful. Oh, and where do you live ?

Please note that this is not intended as a substitute for medical advice.

Wishing you and your daughter well.
Niko