Smelling Car Exhaust Fumes That Aren't There!

Guest over a year ago

I just find it extremely odd that just certain people like us smell it. Wondering if it's something our body is emitting or if it's in our mind. If it is in our mind, its in my eyes too. I've had this on and off for several years, and still no answers. I suppose we just have to put up with it, until it goes away :-(

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Guest over a year ago

Mine has always been triggered after using some type of aerosol can like paint or a lot of bug spray. Have you ever considered that? Since it's not all the time, there has to be something that you're using or around when the episode happens. Start keeping a log on the days that it starts.

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Guest over a year ago

This is crazy as it started a couple months ago for me but last two days it's really strong and yes it's annoying as heck, has anyone figured out for sure what it is? Noticed a lot of these post are from a year ago. If so please come back and help the rest of us..

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Guest over a year ago

I have put my 2 cents in several times about something used in aerosol cans being the trigger for my issues. I kept using Simply Saline each time.

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Guest over a year ago

Hello ,
I just read what you said about spraying with insect repellent.8 days ago I saw a large spider crawl across my curtain and instead of hitting it I ran and got the bug spray. I had to move everything cauze I couldn't find it and started spraying everywhere like a mad woman.The next morning it started.A strong smell like car exhaust.I thought it was in my apartment but I'm on the top floor and nobody exhaust is anywhere near my place.Its extremely strong smelling.There are times it almost makes me nauseated.I also have sinus problems do to allergies and polyps and havnt been able to smell or taste for years but I can differentiate between sweet and salty foods just no taste.I have never had this before .It's very easy to inhaul things you shouldn't when your unable to smell.This worries me greatly because I'm wondering if you and I have been poisoned from our defense bug sprays and there's detrimental damage done.If you see this message and your well now please let me know how longit lasted for you or If you still have it .I wish it would go away cause it's really driving me crazy. Thank-you.
Or If anyone else has done this I would like to hear about it.

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Guest over a year ago

Good morning, I've used bug spray forever, but there was one time when I saw something go under the recliner I use all the time and didn't know where it went so I sprayed all around and under A LOT. I buy the unscented bug spray so the smell of THAT was not bothering me.....just wanted to kill the bug. But the next morning is when I woke up with the exhaust fumes AGAIN. I had it happen in the past 2 other times after I had used an aerosol paint can on furniture, and I realized back then after the 2nd time, that it was that spraying that caused the exhaust smell. It dawned on me after the bug spray that it was not the "paint" but whatever chemical they use in the aerosol cans themselves. Each time it has lasted a couple of weeks. I started using that Simply Saline a lot during that time and I don't know if that helped or not but it's all I could think of to do. Now I just avoid using ANY KIND of aerosol cans for any length of time. I don't see a problem if I just use it to spray 1 bug, or a quick use of hair spray, but I certainly wouldn't do any extensive spraying. I hope that helps. I know it is horrible because you just can't get away from that smell. I use to look forward to going to bed. I seem to remember mine got a little lighter before going away completely. Hope it goes away fast for you!

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wishthiswouldstop over a year ago

I have been experiencing this for 3 months now. No one else smells the fumes. I can't believe I actually looked this up on line and found other people with the same symptoms. I thought at first it was the air condition/heating system filters at the office that haven't been changed in awhile. But I smell it at home and everywhere, even outdoors. Hard to sleep, eat or anything. I am treated for high blood pressure, but have never experienced this before in my life, unless I was at a gas station. I simply don't know what to do and it's scary.

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Guest over a year ago

Hi, I'm sorry, I didn't see you had followed up on what I had written. Mine probably lasted about 2 weeks. I'll be anxious to hear if yours has gone away yet. I think it happened twice with the paint spray and once with the bug spray and it was about the same length of time before it went away. But at first I just thought that it was only from paint spray so have never done it again. But the last time I realized I had used A LOT of bug spray and therefore realized it is something in the spray containers. I wish more people that are having the problem would read this so that they could avoid using these products or at least think back to see if that may have been what triggered theirs. Especially those that may use that stuff all the time and therefore are not getting rid of the constant smell of fumes. I know it's horrible, and I hope yours has gone away by now. I'm pretty sure the only thing I used was the Simply Saline. But you might also try one of those inhalers (like Vicks) that is used for plugged up sinus issues. Please let me know how you are.

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Guest over a year ago

I just posted another reply to someone else. If you can't find it on here, let me know and I will send the response I posted to you also.

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Guest over a year ago

I also started smelling exhaust several weeks ago, thought I had a problem with furnace at home but then started smelling fumes at work. Sometimes goes away and other times stronger. I am a Dentist and around chemicals and strong smells, maybe this is cause. I will start taking a B complex and see if that helps. Other causes may be lack of sleep and stress in my life lately, who knows.

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Guest over a year ago

I've been smelling exhaust for several months and also thought it was the HVAC system in my office, so I gave up my office and set up shop in the main part of our building, but the problem still exists. Sometimes I'm clear for a few days, but the smell of exhaust comes back and lingers for a few days. It doesn't matter where I am... work, home, car, outdoors... it's there.
My doctor has ordered an MRI to see if I might have a tumor (wish I could remember everything he said so I could offer it up here. I'll ask him and follow up with you all when I get a chance). Anyway, the MRI will be done after the first week of July. He mentioned the same word that I saw someone on the first or second page of this topic use... "olfactory". I'm gonna research this.
I am otherwise healthy; quit smoking 15 years ago; am not exposed to aerosol sprays of any sort, including insect killer; and I don't work near chemicals or any type of manufacturing environment.

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Guest over a year ago

Tagging on to my post above, I found these articles on this site. They deal with Phantosmia, which was another word the person who mentioned "olfactory" used.

https://www.steadyhealth.com/medical-answers/a-distorted-sense-of-smell

https://www.steadyhealth.com/articles/phantosmia-when-your-nose-plays-tricks-on-you

(You'll need to copy and paste if the articles don't automatically turn into links after I post).

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Guest over a year ago

I've had this phantom smell of exhaust for 6 or 8 yrs and I have stage 4 copd, I was born with asthma, I'm 52 and I'm not crazy!
You are not alone.....

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Guest over a year ago

Thank God i thought i was losing my mind this is real I have been getting headaches back pain and a lot of anxiety are all they connect

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Dave over a year ago

Wow I smell fumes too, but just diesil not petrol. Glad to hear I am not alone. I am not too concerned about it as I have lots of quirks.

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