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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Phantom Smell Of Cigarettes?

I ve had a phantom smell of cigarettes for the last 10 days. Nobody in our house smokes and I smell it pretty much 24 hrs a day. I started to use nasal rinses x 3 days now with no relief. I don t have any sinuse complaints, no teeth complaints. I have made an appointment with my ENT, but can t see him for 2 weeks.
Mon, 15 Jun 2015
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi

Welcome to HCM.
Understanding your concern.

Brief answer - Olfactory hallucination

Detailed answer - As per your query you have symptoms of phantom smell of cigarettes while you don't smoke and no one else nearby you smokes is mainly because of damage to the olfactory nerve by chemicals, or infection with a virus or bacteria, or trauma. At times it could be associated with medical conditions such as temporal lobe seizures, inflamed sinuses, brain tumors and Parkinson's disease.

Well need not to worry about anything.If this sensation comes and go then its a matter you should not panic about. If its is permanent then you should visit ENT specialist or neurologist. treatment depends on cause.

If it is sinus related then antibacterial medications such as Amoxicillin are best treatment line. If it is nervous related then go for smell test and CAT scan. Further treatment can be started depending on reports of these tests.

Hope your concern has been resolved.

Get Well Soon.

Best Wishes,
Dr. Harry Maheshwari
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What Causes Phantom Smell Of Cigarettes?

Hi Welcome to HCM. Understanding your concern. Brief answer - Olfactory hallucination Detailed answer - As per your query you have symptoms of phantom smell of cigarettes while you don t smoke and no one else nearby you smokes is mainly because of damage to the olfactory nerve by chemicals, or infection with a virus or bacteria, or trauma. At times it could be associated with medical conditions such as temporal lobe seizures, inflamed sinuses, brain tumors and Parkinson s disease. Well need not to worry about anything.If this sensation comes and go then its a matter you should not panic about. If its is permanent then you should visit ENT specialist or neurologist. treatment depends on cause. If it is sinus related then antibacterial medications such as Amoxicillin are best treatment line. If it is nervous related then go for smell test and CAT scan. Further treatment can be started depending on reports of these tests. Hope your concern has been resolved. Get Well Soon. Best Wishes, Dr. Harry Maheshwari