Good evening

[Rhiacat]

Am I going nuts or has anyone else noticed their sense of smell going haywire? I smell things that aren't there like burning paper or petrol and things that I hated the smell of now smell nice. I'm wondering if this is all in my head

[madonbrew]

I’ve not ever noticed that happening but maybe it can ! 😊

[Caspiana]

No Rhiacat. Not in your head. It is a medical condition. Phantosmia is also called a phantom smell or an olfactory hallucination. It's usually burnt something, like burning wood, or toast it's very unpleasant.

People with sinusitis , or people who have migraine headache, in more severe cases conditions of the nervous system can cause it. In very, very rare cases it is caused by a brain tumor. If you can it's best to talk to your doctor about it. I have had it for three years and only have it in winter. Cold, dry weather seems to trigger mine. So I use a nasal rinse and keep my nose well lubricated. It helps a lot.

It can be very annoying. 😞

Cas xx 🙋

[Rhiacat in reply to Caspiana]

Oh wow thanks Caspiana. I'll contact my GP I have mentioned it but just got a. " oh really" type of response. I've had it since this breathing problem and thought it might be due to it. I will have a go at nasal rinse. You are star thank you.. I'm not going mad!

[Caspiana in reply to Rhiacat]

No you are perfectly sane!! 😊

[Angelagone in reply to Rhiacat]

Sterimar is very good though a bit pricey. I believe you can make your own salt water solution but I'm far too lazy.

[Patk1 in reply to Angelagone]

I've got chronic rhinosinusitis.ive b reading bout sinus rinses to help ease congestion+pain so i tried it with boiled cool water.its certainly improved airflow thro nose

[Hidden]

With me it's the smell of burning wood. It has been happening on and off since the mid 90s.

[Mary-Jo1]

Hi Rhiacat, I'm sure you've checked it's not Covid, given that a change to your sense of smell can be one of the symptoms. It must be extremely annoying for you - sorry

[Lynneypin]

I get this sometimes but I have sinusitis and that can cause it. Usually lasts a couple of weeks. If it persists then raise it with your GP again.

[Shirleyj]

I'm having this at the moment, I'm smelling petrol or something burning. I had covid in October, my sense of smell and taste went completely , they are back now but not 100%. I put it down to that.Take care x

[Tryfan]

Wow. You've answered something that both myself and partner occasionally notice. Never at the same time. It effects My wife more than me. She takes comfort in thinking it's her Dad coming to say hello. Who's to say!

[watergazer]

I sometimes get this too. Thanks for asking. I do suffer with sinus problems x

[Jaybird19]

I am haunted by the smell of cigarette smoke.

[O2Trees]

I did actually think the bedroom was on fire somewhere, which I couldnt trace, when I entered the room a couple of nights ago. I was panicked that there was a hidden fire developing caused by an electrical fault. We were still alive and intact in the morning though.

[Gladwyn in reply to O2Trees]

Thankfully! 😂🙏

[Maximonkey]

Hi, I too have had this problem for the last 20 yrs. All to do with my sinuses I believe. Take care, Maximonkey