I Can Smell Smoke All the Time

I went to the doctor with this problem. He took a look into my nose and said I was a little inflamed. He asked me if I had allergies, I said no. He said well you may have developed them. He asked me to try allergy medicine for a while to see if that helped. It did. I also noticed that since I have been taking allergy medicine I don't have to clear my throat as much either. So apparently I had allergies and didn't even know and that is what was causing my problem.

This problem is on and off for me. I never paid attention when I was taking my allergy medicine. I will do that now to see if there is a difference. Thanks for sharing.

Over a year ago I started smelling smoke, my dr thought it might be acute sinusitus..NOT. I went to my DDS as I had a root left in my gum from a tooth that had broken off..NOT. I went to the ENT dr, had a sinus and brain scan, again...NOT. Finally ended up at a neurologists. Had an EEG and an MRI, they showed nothing. My symptoms are that I smell smoke "about" once a month from anywhere of 3-8 days. The neuro said that people who smell different smells, not always smoke are having seizures...not the type that are noticeable but an overactive part of the brain that causes people to smell things that aren't there at different times. I was put on a generic Keppra for seizures...after 4 months or so still smelling smoke so dr is going to try another seizure medicine Oxterra XR, very expensive, to see if that helps. If not then done type of extended EEG will be done....sounds like it may have to be done while I am actually smelling the smoke, didn't fully understand that or go into it with the dr yet....dr also said this type of thing could go away or it could go into normal seizures at some time...so I am going day by day since I have no symptoms at all but the smoke smell. It is just very frustrating to not really know if I am having seizures or not and only going by what the neuro says he thinks it is...

I'm in the same situation. Wanted to know if u have are okay? What did the tests show?

I too had bronchitis, actually acute bronchitis and was on symbicort for about 4=5 days.[quit because of side effects] also anti-biotic. I have smoke smell in nostrils and from throat passage as well. Dr. said if it doesn't go away to come back to see her. Very annoying smell.

Has anyone tried N-Acetyl Cysteine (NAC)???  I had this problem a couple of years ago (it was severe!) and my naturopath suggested 500-1000mg daily with 1000mg Vitamin C (with food).  It took about two weeks and it compleytely went away.  It has to do with liver toxicity in the body and a lack of antioxidants (because a toxic liver can't produce the right antioxidants effectively).  So the comments people are making about reducing/eliminating drugs, eating healthy, getting fresh air, sleep etc are correct - we need to reduce our overall toxic load.  Hope this helps some of you!

I brought up a similar situation to my allergist and he laughed and said "that is weird!" "Haven't heard that one before." Certain things that I smell (mostly stinky stuff), smells the same. I agree, its weird. Now lately, I have been experiencing new things that maybe are all related, but idk. Lately, I have been getting a lot of migraines, my blood pressure is up and I can feel the pressure in my sinuses. I just took 10 days of antibiotics and felt great, now the high blood pressure is back and I had another migraine this past Saturday. Now I am thinking maybe the foul smells are all related to the new symptoms. Maybe blocked sinus's???? Very frustrating......

Yahoo has a good group on this disorder. You have Phantosomia (Phantom smells). I went to 2 ENTs a few years ago for this problem. Neither could tell me what I have, I actually had to research it on the internet. I have had a cat scan and a camera up my nose, but nothing. I have seen studies indicating this problem is from brain damage, seizures, or some type of damage to the olfactory nerves from a virus. It is very frustrating...I know. I am currently experiencing a cold or sinus infection, so the phantom smells are sticking around all day, with no relief. I learned a good method to cope with the disorder...it involves using a saline spray. I use either Neilmed or the arm and Hammer brand. They are big metal cans, rather then the little plastic bottles. This is my routine, and it usually will keep the smells away anywhere from an hour to a whole day. First, hang your head upside down and tuck it as far as it can go into your chest. Then, spray the saline spray into each nostril and hold that position for 30 seconds. Liquid will most likely run from your nose once you are in an upright position again. You may have to repeat. Good luck with finding a cure, or at least some relief. It is incredibly difficult to have a disorder no one can understand or relate to. People do not realize how precious their sense of smell is.

I smell smoke all the time. I just found out that I have a tumor on the right temporal. I have seen a neurologist and now have to see a neurosurgeon on 5-22-14. I pray all turns out well.

I have been experiencing this for about 3 weeks now. i suffered from the same thing last year at around the same time. It went away so it was not a tumour. I suspect it may be tree pollen, pollution or a virus.

I can't believe I'm not the only one! I've been smelling the phantom cigarrette smoke for the last month.  It started with a couple timea a day and now I smell it constantly.  I have difficulties breathing because of it.  It triggers an allergic reaction, such as runny nose and dry eyes.   I thought someone at work is sneaking cigarrettes and so I complained to our facilities to investigate.  It's that strong!  Then I learned I smell it at home, in my car, Yoga class, etc. I read posts from people having these symptoms for years and I don't think I could handle it!  I will call my physician, but i'm shocked to see I'm not the only one!

This can be indoor home sickness created either by third hand smoke (someone lived in the house before that used to smoke -even if smoked outside lungs are like sponges that keep leaking tar with many toxins that stick in the walls and between walls-). It happens to me in my office, people go out to smoke before and after luch and I get dizzy, headeakes and some times shortness of breath. I am sensitive because my parents used to smoke 2 packs a day inside my home. You get second hand smoke from other units in muliunit buildings, 35% of the air in one unit comes form other units (research done tracking radiocative isothopes).  My used car was from a smoker, gets more smell in warm and humid days, even today (I have had the car for 3 years). Cigarrette smoke and many building materials have formaldehyde, which is an irritant that can cause cancer in the long run. New buildings have a lot, used buildings where smokers lived have too. Solution: 1) live in a house that has been build with low voc components (paint -harmony by sherwin williams, drywalls -airrenew by certainteed-, formaldehyde free isolation, and an energy recovery ventilator (to get rid of polluted air and bring in fresh air without loosing energy). 2) do not buy used cars unless one onwner only and poved to be a non smoker (if smokes outside the car, the car will smell anyway). EPA is regulating now the construction materials to reduce formaldehyde exposure (see also CDC for more information) If someone need cientific information just post here and I can send information (I am an university professor).

sounds like formaldehyde reaction, it can also be cigarrette smell from previous people living in your house or persons from other units smoking inside or outside and coming back fast. see my post at the end

due to what you mention I ended developing asthma and my life has not been the same after that. Now I am smelling cigarrette in my office. Just see my post bellow. Formaldehyde, third hand smoke or second coming from other units.

office reason: coworkers smoke outside, come inside and bring the smell with them in their lungs. home reason: if new house (formaldehyde), if used (previous owners where smokers), unit in a building (second hand smoke from other units since 35% of the air comes form them)