A lot of people are experiencing this. I am now convinced it's a conspiracy--the tobacco companies (or extraterrestrials) are behind it. If you get your blood gases tested, you'll find nicotine in your system, most likely. Where it's coming from is another matter... Maybe cigarette-sniffing bloodhounds are the only way to trace the culprits who are poisoning us slowly, daily...

is smoking in a room with the doors closed as harmful as second hand smoke. like if I'm down stairs in a room with the doors does it effect u like sitting next to the person

Mine started 3 weeks ago. It all sounds familiar. Cigarette smoke, except when I put my hands over my nose. I also have a swollen lymph node and a cyst on my thyroid doctors have been watching. I also have motion sickness for many years. I am goint to schedule w/ a different ENT I think because the other one is a "wait and seee kinda guy"

I smell cigarette smoke (I've never smoked, no sinus infection) on and off for weeks at a time. It just started happening over the past year and it can feel so strong, I'll actually choke or have a hard time breathing.

From the 3 or so times it has happened over the past year, I think it could be related to particularly stressful times. I'll be overloaded with work, run down, and not getting enough sleep when the problem resurfaces.

I haven't been to the doctor yet (I honestly feel like my doc will think I'm nuts - which I'm beginning to think would be right, given this issue!), so this is just a self-diagnosis. I'm throwing it out there to see if anyone else has noticed that stress brings this on.

Good luck to everyone suffering from this. It's very frustrating.

I also smell smoke--off and on for a couple of weeks. I think it must be a sinus issue, as this has coincided with spring allergy symptoms for me. The psychological portion of it must kick in when I actually feel like I'm having trouble drawing a deep breath because of the phantom smoke. Too weird. Please let me know if you find a solution to this problem. It's more inconvenient than frightening, but it makes me feel uneasy!

i think you might have something there....lack of enough sleep and stress may be the reason.......

I dont smell smoke at the mo but who knows what the future will bring. I have the smell of gear oil, petrochemical & mud at different times. I untill 1995 was an auto mechanic. I believe it is one of two things. having been suffering previously to currently of nasal polyps so big as to completely block my nasal passages, which through nutritional investigation & treatment are now deminishing to near nil, are allowing my sinus's to function where they are now releasing what was previously trapped slowly. Or my liver is in need of detoxification which i have started an olive leaf extract & apple cider vinegar formular ( caution ), where after a period of 4 days the smells & tastes are reducing & at times gone from my senses!
Maybe everyone should try a health improving liver & kidney detox program of some sort with the advice of a health adviser for guidance!
good luck

The other night I was having that sensation of smelling smoke, and I used a saline nasal spray. It helped immediately, and I didn't notice the smell of smoke for the next 12 hours or so. Since then, I've just used the saline spray whenever the problem recurs--and I'm having to do it less and less often. This clinches for me the theory that it has something to do with my sinuses.

i rember years ago, before i got so sick that i used to get the smell of smoke, i urge every one to research a liver detox diet or regime because i believe its your body telling you there is a overload about to take place, its giving you a warning. The detox doesnt hurt, its a simple diet procedure that at worst will help you be intouch with your body, at best could save you thousands of dollars & countless hours of discomfort & life upheaval through sickness.
Hope i can be of help!
God bless all.

I too have been smelling cigarette smoke for the past month now. I too have asked people around me if they smell it and they say no, im not around any smokers but i do realize its in the air we breathe but i should still smell all times of the day...Im reading some of you are saying your dr's are saying it a sinus infection i my self has never had sinus problems....I think this is sooo weird but its good to know im not alone, becuz i was starting to think i was going crazy....so today i decided to google my symptoms and i found this blog....what can be done?

The first time I started experiencing this, it was a few months ago.I thought I had burned a hole through my nose because I (stupidly I admit) was using bleach to clean in a confined space.Afterwords, my nose felt realllly weird and it seemed like I was smelling cigarette smoke (I HATE the smell..always have)nobody here smokes either and when I am around people who do, the smell doesn't come on.

Now, it has come back again and seems like it is burning my nose a bit.Its more irritating than anything.The thing is, I haven't used bleach in a while so I have no clue if it could be that..possibly mold...I have no clue.

I haven't had any illnesses...i dont have congestion or sinus pressure..i just have no clue.

i really hope it is curable and not serious.I do have anxiety disorder but don't think it has to do with that (hope not)

Don't even try this to stop the smell of smoke. The liver has nothing to do with sinuses and there is absolutely no proof that it "detoxifies" a liver or kidney. Pretty soon people will be telling everyone to do a colon cleanse also. Just more hocus pocus

Had same problem and at last concluded mine caused by chemicals--eye drops entering my nostrils. Cured it 2 days ago by taking a nasal decongestant (made by Equate, $3), spraying in both nostrils. During evening it cleaned my nasal cavity--indeed so strongly that it felt raw and I took ibuprofen for pain. Next day, smell of smoke was gone. Hallelujah!

I am so happy to find this - I have been smelling smoke on and off for 6 months. I have never had sinus infections but right now, am fighting off a beginning cold, and the smoke smell is very strong. So there is something there...I searched WEB MD and other doctor sites and found nothing as useful as this.

I began to smell smoke about 3 weeks ago, after about 3 days of this I went to the hospital and they told me I had an upper respitory infection,after a chest x-ray, I was put on steroids, and given an inhaler and pain meds, because my chest ached. The smell of smoke continued and the chest ache got worse, I went back to the ER and given another chest x-ray,and was then diagnosed w/bronchitis-pneumonia was put on higher doses of steriods,and nebulizer treatments, and given antibiotics, and more pain meds. Three days later I was still not better, and went back to the ER, a CAT scan of my lungs showed nothing, the bronchitis/pneumonia was disputed. I had blood drawn and it was discovered I needed a blood transfusion and an iron infusion. I was admitted into the hospital, recvd the transfusion/infusion and didnt smell the smoke anymore. Now, 1 week after being discharged, I am beginning to smell the smoke again. One thing that I have noticed is that is starts after being around a fog machine for several hours. I sing in a a choir and we use a fog machine for during our services. This is what I believe triggered the first episode. I have been singing in this choir for almost a year, and have attended this church for 8 years, so there isnt anything different, I am wondering why now this will trigger it? Also, the smell has come from being around other people who have been smoking or are smoking, and the smell just wont go away, even days later Also, physician's diagnosed me with sarcoidoses,lofgren's syndrome in 2004, I have had no symptoms/or minimal symptoms of sarcoidosis since diagnosed. Anyone have any advice?

Hahaha I thought I had a smoking ghost. I lived in an old church about eight years ago when I started smelling the smoke. Hahahah Darn, it's just a sinus infection. All this time I've been telling that "ghost" to stop smoking, it's not good for his health.

I've sometimes had this porblem myself, and it's always this smell of burning wood like someone else said. I had this problem from a few months ago while I was doing advanced college level classes and had a lack of sleep. I found the smoke smelling to go away after I dropped the classes and started getting more than five hours of sleep a day. Now, about 6 months later, the weird sensation has returned, but not as strong. I've been getting an ample amount of sleep except for a few nights in the last week. Is a lack of sleep a cause of this smoke smelling thing? Or is this just me?

I have had the smoke smell now for a month off and on and the last 3 days constantly. I went to a ENT today who did a CT Scan and said there is nothing there whatsoever and had not a clue what to do. This smell is so awful and makes my eyes water. My boyfriend has said my breath smells funny which is a bit embarrassing and unsettling. The doctor suggested trying medication for epilepsy but did confirm it is very expensive and I decided I didn't want to be out a ton of money on what seemed to be a clueless guess with absolutely no reasoning. So he then decided I should try some steroids for 6 days. Today is the first day..we'll see what happens. Please if anyone knows anything whatsoever post it on this site !!

I too have this problem. I smell smoke although my breath doesn't smell and my throat is rough (like what I imagine a first time smoker's throat would feel like - I've never smoked.)
I've had it once before. I thought my house was going to burn down or something and stayed in until the smell stopped to make sure it didn't. It disappeared after about 4 days. This was about 2 months ago. I got it again 3 days ago and researched on the internet. I came out thinking I had epilepsy or a brain tumor (now I know why you have to train to be a doc!!!) The more plausible solution is the infected sinus one.
Looking back at the first time I could smell smoke, it was the day I returned home from staying in a holiday cottage opposite a "Smoke House" (where they smoked bacon etc). At the beginning of this week I went on a old fashioned steam train. Is it a coincidence that this problem occurs after I've been in contact with smoke? Also, I note both times I've suffered from it I have been stressed - the first time I had a deadline looming for coursework, and now I have a few family problems. In addition and perhaps in connection with this stress, I have felt very tired both times.
I think I'm going to try to tackle this through catching up on sleep and using a nasal spray. Will update if sucessful.

I had the same symptoms and was told it was acid reflux. The acid goes back up and can give you a sore throat, burning nose and eyes. You need to ask your doctor about this.