Bad Smell in Nose

[Dave L]

Every so often, usually after a sneeze or a sniff, I get a foul smell in my nose that only I can smell. It's hard to describe. It's a combination of many bad smells put together. It makes me not want to eat, because it's not even worth eating anything for the enjoyment of food. (It would probably be good for someone trying to lose weight). :-) I tried to pinpoint the cause, but I haven't been successful. It's usually gone after a night's sleep. A nap doesn't always do the trick. Note that this is a smell that only I can smell. My wife tells me that she cannot smell anything in my breath. I've seen other posts where folks say that their mucous has an odor, but this is not the case with my condition. It's not associated with any infection, such as a cold viurs. Does anyone have this condition or something similar?

[ChennaiTN]

Same problem. I had undergone nasal surgeries thrice, SMR but still living with same condition now at 40. My problem aggravate during winter season. Finally quit seeking medical intervention after a renowned ENT specialist in my City referred me to a psychiatrist insulting me in front of my friend. This chronic problem slowly transformed me into a introvert.

[Omega29]

your problem could be trigger by food, if you have heartburns and others digestive symptoms then the problem could be Acid reflux. I had the same issue and kept thinking that it was my sinuses or throat but in my case it was due to acid reflux. the moment I stopped drinking coffee and milk I was fixed. I am ordering a cookbook for low acidic meals. I got rid off all the foods that are high in acid and can't believe the smell is gone! I had it for years, I noticed that it got worse depending on what I ate. to stop drinking coffee was the biggest challenge since I love it, but knowing that it was the biggest contributor to the problem helped. I am into tea now - the ones that are good for digestion and so for.

[Sverige76]

Has anybody found any cure yet?  I am struggling with the foul odor in my sinuses and constantly worried if people around me can smell it.  I am 40 yrs old and had this for about 3 years now.  I am scared to ask people if they could smell anything.  I am also not in a financial position to pay for expensive medical care.  It's soul crushing and with times just want to not live anymore.  I am becoming a recluse.  It's killing me.  

[Niada7]

Sverige, I'm so sorry to read that Ur sinus issue is causing U to even entertain the thought of Not wanting to live @ times. I don't know what state Ur in, but in Calif it's now law that everyone has to have medical ins. I too have bn having a similar sinus issue like Urs. Only I smelling this horrindous odor. I've asked & bn told it's not my breath like when U have a bad tooth, or a stomach/intestinal problem that can cause bad breath & stinky odors. Along w/it I have a 'glow in the dark color' green drainage that always only comes fr Rt.nostril. No warning, I just bend @ the waist & here comes this sticky drainage. The bad smell recently started, the drainage I get off & on has bn happening for about 2yrs/so now. I've read many stories fr ppl c/o same symptoms we're having.2diff ppl a man & a woman found out that they had brain tumor(s)/cyst(s). The man @ the cerebellum (bk of head) the woman on the frontal lobe of the brain. The latter seemed to be the most difficult of the 2. I've not read any f/u fr either. I've decided to c a Dr. Having worked in the medical field for so long, I have enough experience to determine what I have & not worry. Or just enough to worry me into cn a Dr. Sometimes those who work/worked in the medical field mk the Worst pts,& that's me. Not proud of it, just calling a spade a spade. I hope by the time U read this. U will have had the issue 'fixed'& now look 4ward to ea & every 2morrow w/a smile on Ur face & peace & happiness in Ur Life! GOD BLESS YOU! D in Calif.  :^)

[Ben80907]

The smell is caused by bacteria. There are lots of places for bacteria to hide like the sinuses and Eustachian tube. If your lucky to find the right doctor and antibiotic the bacteria and smell will go away at the same time. And I know it's difficult but keep your fingers and sleeves away from your nostrils. That's probably how the bacteria got there in the first place.

[ChristinaBash]

This has nothing to do with bacteria. I wish it did but its completely neurological and my doctor diagnosed me with partial seizures and no medicine has help so far.

[gotfunk]

If ever there is an answer, I'd love to know :(  I too have been to ENT's, pricing CT scans, nasal swabs (testing for molds) antibiotics....  The "funk" is what I call it.  Present with sneezing, blowing nose, laughing loud... Nobody else smells it.  I've had it for 8 months, it's making me crazy!

[ChristinaBash]

My neurologist has diagnosed me with partial seizures, I would definitely check out a neurologist if I were you. The medicine hasn't been helping but an organic, gluten free, dairy free, sugar free, carb free diet has helped me feel better. I went 3 months without an episode (seizure) as soon as I stopped it all came back so going back to eating natural and clean. I also drank over 2 liters of water a day.

[ChristinaBash]

I have had this condition for a year now. Started out of the blue and had gotten so much more frequent. I was afraid to tell anyone because I thought they would think I'm crazy. My family can't smell the awful "burning moldy" smell that I get from laughing, sneezing, blowing my nose, etc. On occasion smells trigger it, like cooking smells. I am 21 years old and freaking out after reading this entire blog since 2008. I've been to my family doctor 4 times, two neurologists, and I am currently seeing another neurologist at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. I've gotten MRI's, EEG's, and you name it. I am on migraine and seizure medicine because after the "episodes", as I call them, got worse, I started getting awful migraines. The medicine isn't helping the episodes and my neurologist is still doing testing. Naps and sleep seem to be the only thing to get the smell to go away but after reading everyone's post I guess that won't last long. My next step is Washington DC but I don't even know what to expect. It's a bittersweet moment not to be the only one, at least we're not all crazy right? Hoping for a miracle for everyone!

[runlibrarun]

Hi there:  I have read through the comments and must makes some comments myself.  Rsur910:  As a graduate from med school, you need to learn to think about what you have read.  Most people have had diagnostics done, with no polyps etc. detected.  I’m pretty sure drinking more water is not the answer.  Personally, I have suffered from this condition for over 25 years.  It first happened when I was in my mid twenties, and like Dave L, it seemed to become more frequent as I aged.  I used to be able to have a nap and it would go away.  Now, it usually goes away after I go to bed and wake up, but sometimes it doesn’t.  Like many of you, I asked people see if they could smell something on my breath or when I breathed out my nose, but nothing was ever detected.  About six years ago, it went away for about half a year, but I’m not sure why.  For me, it’s changed my life and I’m pretty sure not for the better.  I avoid many things in life that I know I would not otherwise.  Apart from not enjoying food, I avoid contact with people as my ‘triggers’ seem to be anything that gets me excited like laughing.  But I could be sitting reading a book and it will occur.  Generally, I am not a happy person and I feel fairly helpless because my friends and family don’t understand.  Also, smell is so a part of our lives.  Someone might say, ‘Oh doesn’t that smell wonderful!”  And I can’t be bothered anymore saying that ‘No, it smells horrible!”.  Partly b/c I don’t want to destroy their moment of pleasure.  For me, I think it is some sort of sulfur smell that gets mixed with all the smells of the day.  A bad day for me is if I can’t even drink my cup of coffee in the morning.  If the condition is there, it makes coffee disgusting.  And if it hits me in the morning, as it usually does now, I have to endure the rest of the day…. And hope tomorrow is better.  

[runlibrarun]

PS:  Who have I seen medically?  I have been to three ENT doctors, one neurosurgeon and countless visits to my family doctor.  I have had an endoscope placed down my nose, CT scans and MRI’s.   I have been prescribed antibiotics, antiseizure drugs and antidepressants.