I Can Smell Smoke All the Time

I just came back from the neurologist after having an MRI and testing to see if it was seizures in the past... The neuro guy basically told me that my nerves are damaged... nothing we can do but try to mask the smell with other things. He did say there was medication I could try but I'd rather not. I started smelling the smoke after I had bronchitis so I guess something happened at that time to damage my nerves!

I can't believe I've just read this......... I started smelling smoke a few days ago and it has driven me nuts. I too started taking Phentermine a few days ago. At least I know I've not got a brain tumour! Thanks for this x

I am having the same issue with the smoke thing, everyone thought i was crazy...it is annoying, i cant sleep at night without putting vicks under my nose cause i cant stand the smell and it makes it hard to breathe...i wish i new what this was. I cant really afford to go to the doctor but i know i need to find out what is going on because it affects my sleeping and therefore affects the rest of my day.

Went through this for months with my wife- turned out to be a quite serious sinus infection (but she was tested for more serious problems)- Do see a sdoctor to get the proper meds.

I am also experiencing smelling smoke all the time. I had serious sinus problems in the past, had major sinus surgery in Dec. 2009. I was on 4000mg of antibiotics per day and high doses of steroids for two months. My doctor cleared out the infection everywhere in my sinus and fungus...yes fungus growing in my sinus cavity, which is very dangerous if not treated. I have an appointment with my specialist Monday morning and hope all goes well.

This is weird. I am not on any meds, never have been, I don't smoke and I smell it in the house, outside, in the car.. almost everywhere. I have eliminated all possible reasons. I have been smelling it for about a month now and it comes and goes.. At first I thought it was a spirit lingering around me.. as silly as it sounds but I really have no idea what it is. I know it drives me crazy. I am going to look into this further.

Okay, so I went to see my specialist this morning (Ear, Nose & Throat Doctor). Told him about smelling smoke when no smoke is around and told him I have been experiencing a sore throat, chronic coughing or clearing of my throat, flet like a knot/lump in my throat. He said often times when people smell smokey scent it is a sign of an infection or other problem. He inserted a scope high into both sides of my sinus cavity and all looked clear very healthy, then ran the scope through my nose down my throat...YUK! He discovered that I have lots of damage to my throat and esphogus due to acid reflux (similar to heartburn, but not heartburn-I have never had heart burn). he said that this can actually cause a person to smell smoke and can cause bad breath, and if untreated cause severe damage to the throat. So, he gave me a perscirption and I am suppose to see him again in 6 weeks to see if the acid reflux is diminishing and healing can begin. This may or may not be why you are smelling "the smoke", but its a place to start. So far, this doctor has been right on in his diagnosis of me, so hopefully that is what it is and I can take my meds and stop smelling the mistery smoke.

I am almost in tears right now! I have been having this smoke smell for several weeks now. First I thought it was the people around me, because i dont smoke and i cant stand to be around it. But i was smelling all the time, even in the shower.  No one around me can smell it and i dont be around people who actually smoke.  I searched it on google and i found these post. Thanks for sharing. but i now know im not going nuts.  Here's my situation:  In 2007 I went to an ENT because i slight snore when i slept. I was very busy alot and was always exhausted so i snored (slightly). I originally wanted something like breathe right to use but the ENT sent me for a sleep study which showed no sleep apnea, i had several test that all came back fine. But the dr said it was my tonsils, etc that was making me snore. Me thinking it was a medical issue i was unaware of, i agreed to the dr's course of treatment and he performed surgery.  He took out my tonsils, adnoids, uvula, straightened a deviated septum (so he said), and trimmed turbinates (or something like that)....long story short, he performed unnecessary surgery and really messed me up. Since then, iv had nothing but problems, asthma, i stay sick all the time, sinus infections and i have gone almost a year with no sense of smell.  When i started realizing this dr has done this to other people as well, i switched drs and they immediately put me on a blast of prednisone and other meds.  I did get my sense of smell back for about a month or so, and on occassion, but my quality of life is really effected right now.  What should i do? Is it too late to sue this dr? i am so upset, i have tears flowing as i write this, because i was always very healthy. I never had asthma, sinus problems, soar throats or anything. i may have gotten sick once or twice a year with a bad cold, but that was it. and now, i stay sick all the time.  what should i do????  I am 34 years old.

I had the same problem, and it started when my wife bought me these little clip on air Deodorizers for my car. They clip right on to the A/C vents. Within two weeks I started smelling smoke all the time. I took the Deodorizers out of my car, but it didn't help. My nose or sinuses are Fed up.

I've been smelling cigarette smoke for quite some time now, although I've never smoked a cigarette in my entire 60 years.  But I do drink a lot of coffee.  I read a post somewhere on this problem where a person said that drinking coffee triggers this awful smell.  Since then, I have been tapering off coffee.  The first day that I did not drink any, I did not smell any cigarette smoke.  After I got a splitting migraine and Advil didn't stop it, I drank a cup of coffee, thinking it was withdrawal from caffeine that caused the headache.  It was.  And shortly after drinking that cup, the cigarette smoke smell came back in full force. For me, and maybe for you, too, it's the coffee.  Molecules of it float up your throat as its being digested and the smell gets into your nose.  Give up coffee and report back whether this stops the odor.  Yes, the withdrawal is tough, but being "smoke" free is worth it. 

Okay, I'm glad I'm not alone. I just started smelling smoke a day ago and it won't go away. I haven't had any sinus problems so I am not sure if it is a sign of a sinus infection coming on, or if there is something else going on. UGH!  I guess I have to call my doctor.

I've had this smoke smell for over 12 years. I went thru sunus sugery a few years ago and still had the same problem. My ent then prescribed Previcid for acid reflux. After being on that for a few weeks, it was gone!!. I would say that most of you with this probelm have gerd. I had an endoscopy done and and found out I have a hiatal hernia and lower phincter valve problem and will be going to haver surgery for it. The doctor said I have a high senstivity to stomach acid and thats why the smell.

Holy Smoke! I quit smoking 14 months ago and last weekend I was absolutely overcome with the smell of fresh cigarette smoke. I mean as if someone were standing next to me smoking and letting the smoke drift into my face. This is not a longing, or a desire. The first time it hit me I almost became ill. Then, highly concerned, as no one in my home smokes and we live on acres in the middle of nowhere. This smell has come and gone over the last several days and is more prevalent at night while I am TRYING to sleep. It is not my clothing, car, furnishings, a ghost or residual odor from previous owner/tenant/visitor. I rewashed everything in my home using only unscented detergent and borax to strip any previous odor from laundry. This helped some but I will continue to seek answers and ideas from the general population as I called my doctor and he simply chalked it up to cravings. Whatever........

Ever since being awaken in the wee morning hours by some mysterious strong smell of fire smoke wafting past my nostrils and there was no fire smoke in my room (I know I didn't dream this), I've been feeling like I've got my head stuck in an incinerator breathing this dirty ash smell, somewhat like a dirty barbecue grill when it's smoldering, or behind some filthy diesel truck that's giving off dirty exhaust. I'm wondering if there's any substance that people can maliciously expose someone to which would wipe out their sense of smell and cause them to only smell smoke constantly, because I'm beginning to think there was some prowler outside pulling some criminal action against me for being an environmentalist and speaking out about airborne pollutions and harsh smells of synthetic perfumes!

Try fragrance free fabric softener and detergent. Sensitivity to commercial fragrances is the most common cause of these smoke smells, especially Downy fabric softener.  The smell gets on your clothes, that is why it seems to follow you.  I personally, have a sensitivity to Bounce Outdoor Fresh fabric softener.  My wife thinks it smells very fresh, to me it smells like acrid wood smoke.  Rewash clothes fragrance free and there is a fair hance smell will go away.