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?

[CDPL]

I am very happy to have found this page.  I've always thought that I am the only one who have that strange disease.  
I had it for decades now, and nobody can smell that foul odor in my nose except me.
Every times I took antibiotics, the smell stopped for a few month and came back again.  But I don't want to take antibiotics forever so I went to the ENT.  He ordered a CT scan of my nose and said that my sinus was blocked.  He cleaned my sinuses, but the smell persisted (even stronger and more often than before).
The other day I had allergy and my nose ran, so the doctor gave me FLUTICASONE.  It stopped my nose from running, but also stopped the smell.  Unfortunately, when I stopped spraying it, the smell comes back a few day later.  I sprayed again and the smell went away again.  But because it's a corticosteroid, I have to ask the ENT if it has any long term side effect.

[Dave L]

Hello,

There is one thing that is very different between what you describe and my symptons. The odor that I smell when I get hit with this "condition" (as I like to call it) is that the odor cannot be detected by anyone else around me. At least, I don't think it can. My wife never mentioned to me that my breath had an unusual odor when I had the conditions. Since I first posted about this on this website, I've never been able to determine a cause. It seems to be extremely random. The only change that I noticed over the years is that in the past, a nap usually made the bad smell go away. Over the past year or so, I noticed that a nap does not help me at all. The bad smell usually disappears overnight but sometimes it lingers the next day, but to a lesser degree. Anyway, good luck and thanks for posting. Maybe someday, we will get answers.

Dave

[melrreed]

Hi guys! I hope you are all still around.

I am so thankful to have found this web page. This terrible affliction started almost a year ago - around the time I graduated from college. When I came home last summer(May), the smell was non-stop. There is good information here and I will just jot down some notes about my personal experience with "it."

-It took me many months to realize what caused it...laughing and deep breaths in/out. Sometimes bending down or turning my head too fast will cause it as well.

-I cannot describe the smell. It is simply "annoying." It doesn't smell like anything I've ever smelled on this earth. I am 90% sure most people can smell it. I am too afraid to ask someone for that last 10% of certainty. My brother says he smells s*** whenever I smell "it." So, I know it must smells bad. It doesn't smell like feces to me but I cannot trust my own sense of smell when this is happening. I am unsure if people can smell it before I do or after I think its gone.

-The smell can fill a whole room very quickly. I can leave and walk back in and its there still. I make a trail of it wherever I go.

-I can trigger the smell at any moment I choose(I usually do not do this for the heck of it) just by blowing my nose or taking a deep breath in through my nose. It lingers for hours! I can smell it every single second until I am unconscious in sleep. I don't smell it in the morning upon waking. After brushing my teeth though, I usually have to blow my nose...before I knew this was a trigger, I blew my nose every morning after brushing my teeth and thats how I'd be stuck with it ALL DAY, EVERY SINGLE DAY.

-Unlike most of you, my sense of taste isn't so different when I am smelling "it." However, I do notice that since this has started, I have lost some sensitivity in my ability to smell smells. Also, when I smell "it," the smell will come out from my mouth as well...and most times I can taste a hint of it. It doesn't overpower the taste of my food, but if I am not eating...it's a pretty disgusting taste in my mouth. Nothing, that will ruin my appetite or cravings though.

-My solution(temporary solution) every day, is to use a neti pot. After brushing my teeth and washing my face I really need to clear my nose. I have always been this way. Usage of a neti pot allows me to blow my nose, clearing the drainage, and wash away the smell at the same time. Sometimes the smell will come back...and I just use the neti pot again. Sadly, I cant take the neti pot with me everywhere I go...but this is a big improvement in my condition day to day.

****My last bit of personal info will seem a bit strange...but this is something I have noticed for several months now. The smell also comes when I am with certain people. My aunt, my brother, and my dad. I live with my mom only...I have a sister who doesnt bring this on but I rarley see her. Now, when I am with my aunt, bro, and dad I laugh...alot. My breathing isnt calm because I am usually enjoying myself with them. But it is strange because at work I can laugh and breath according to my mood and excitement...and no smell comes.
*Once my dad came to my job...unexpected. I didnt have the smell all day...until the moment he walked into the pharmacy. I get the smell when I go to his house and when he rides in my car...pretty much anytime we are together.
*Two weeks ago, I went to pick my brother up from college. After a 4-hour ride not having the smell...it came as soon as my brother sat in my car to drive closer to his dorm building. He was home for 10 days for spring break. I had the smell everyday... I also had to bear his "you stink, you smell like s***, did you fart/soil yourself?" remarks.
*Every time I go to my aunts house, the smell comes. It's like clockwork in this case. After about 20-30min, there it is.

Well, I know this was long but thanks for reading. I have been suffering for a long time now and wish I could be treated for this. I even get envious that people around me can blow their nose, laugh loudly, and sigh through their nose with no worries of a terrible odor escaping from their nostrils. I am a 23 year old woman and afraid to get up close and personal with anyone. I feel cursed.

[Sverige76]

melrreed have you found any cure yet?  I am struggling with exactly the same thing for about three years now.  I am 40 yrs old and becoming a recluse This it's soul crushing so don't feel alone.  I just wish I can get rid of it.

[Joliemcshane]

Tami -Thank you for sharing, which homeopathic remedies were used?  Our practitioner is a Homeopathic MD.

[Sam0025]

I called the clinic - tasteandsmell.com. They seem to be the real deal. They ask questions over the phone that none of my ENT doctors have asked. But they're expensive - $4100 and they don't take insurance. For that kind of money they should offer a guarantee, but they don't.

[Sam0025]

I called the clinic. They seem like they know more than any of the ENT docs I've seen. But they charge $4100 and don't accept insurance. For that kind of money, they should guarantee a cure. But they don't.