I have had this problem for about 2 years now. It started when I was around 54. It comes and goes. I smell smoke on the metro, at work, at home, in the car. Smells like burning wood. My eyes burn and water. Had a brain scan to check for a tumor, came back negative. Had lots of other tests, all negative. Went away when I was laid off and moved from MD to SC about a year ago. Recently started to smell smoke again. I am a caregiver for my aunt, who is confined to bed. I think it is a symptom of stress for me.

This is 2009 and I am experiencing all the same stuff as above. It is so strong I can't taste my food or smell anything else. It wakes me up. This is scary...

These posts are all 4 years old. Any new information to share? It just started for me a week or so ago. What have people found out from their doctors?

I just went to the Dr. yesterday. He checked the inside of my nose and said it looked perfect. I'm a little suspicious about him using the term "perfect" given I have extreme allergies, sneeze constantly, have sinusitis, nose bleeds when I blow my nose, sleep apnea and a constant tickle in my throat from post-nasal drip. The next step is an MRI to rule out a brain tumor, early on-set Alzheimers or epilepsy. My husband and I have been married for 20 years and dated/lived together for 2 1/2 before and he claims to have never seen my have a seizure, and nor has my family. I don't have headaches or migranes so no pressure that way. I taste fine and am eating well. I will be having the MRI sometime this month (waiting for the Dr.'s office to contact me with the date) and will report back to everyone on what they find.

I noticed that I get the smell when its hot, lack of sleep, or if I drink too much soda.

My mom also has dozens of those annoying air fresheners that pretty much destroy my nose. I dont know when the smell started because my whole life ive been living with my dad who is a heavy smoker, everytime I smelled it I thought he was at fault. Recently my parents divorced and my mom took custody of the children. The smell of smoke has disappeared but sometimes comes and goes. Someone really needs to do some research on what the cause is exactly because many people are reporting no sinus problems or brain tumors. I find it very annoying to say "do you smell smoke" and have the response "no, you're just crazy" told to me over and over. I have also had allergies my entire life maybe that has something to do with it. =|

wow, I'm glad to see that I am not crazy like my wife says I am I smell smoke a few times a year on and off. I just ignore it because everyone thinks I'm crazy. I have no other physical or mental ailments. I'm pretty healthy otherwise. I just smell smoke for no darn reason at all! I'm posting this because I did a google search because I am smelling smoke right now It usually passes after a couple of days.

I've been on augmention for a week after a severe sinus infection. I smelled smoke before and I'm still smelling it. I hope someone has some answers.

I am also smelling smoke. However, different to the rest of you - I have NO sinus infection, cold or anything like that.
The smell is strong and feels almost like it is also in the back of my throat. It is a smell of old, stale cigarettes. Eeeuw I am a non smoker, so the is causing me to feel quite nauseous. It has been driving me crazy, so jumped onto the net to see what it could be, and found this site....any Doctors out there???

Last night, for the first time, I "smelled" cigarette smoke for a few minutes, then coffee for just a few minutes. Earlier this week, I "smelled" a strong soap smell. All happened as I was going to bed. I checked with my husband, and he smelled nothing! I wonder about aspartame . . . this past week I drank diet cola each day, which I rarely do? I also wonder about fertilizer remnants; our new condo is in and by a corn field, which is treated with chemicals? This is NEW to me, but a relief to find that I am not alone and that I probably don't have a brain-something-or-other.

About two weeks ago I started smelling smoke....sort of like having a fireplace that leaks smoke into the room. At times I could feel it in my eyes, too. I finally googled "I always smell smoke" and found this and other forums.

I was amazed to find so many people experiencing something I had never heard of before. Certainly there was comfort in that, although I was feeling scared, defeated and depressed.

I went to a physician in my area (Fairfax, Va) who is an MD and practices many "alternative" techniques. Based on the results of the extensive muscle-testing she did on me, she put me on a pro-biotic and 4 homeopathic solutions. I started this regimen on Fri July 10, and the last week has been very encouraging. I have entire days of little-to-no smoke smell. Even when I have some smoki-ness it seems to fade after a while...especially if I go outside.

I can't say for certain that the medical intervention is what has caused the smell to diminish. Maybe it would have faded if I had done nothing. After all, it just started with no precipitating event or trauma (that I know of).
What I do know is that I am grateful that I'm not smelling smoke with every breath like I was there for a while!

I started smelling smoke around 5 weeks ago...at that time I started taking generic paxil on a Friday and a new multi-vitamin the next day and the smoke smell started that Monday...I also have been exposed to mold and have sinus infections....I wonder which one caused it...will update!

have smelled smoke like cigarette or cigar, off and on for about 8 months. i am a migraine sufferer and have many allergies as well. finally called dr. find out results of mri tomorrow am. he said if mri shows nothing that it could be an olfactory precurser to migraine like some people have visual auras. of course, that is a symptom of classic migraine and i was diagnosed years ago with common mirgraine so will need to know if one can have both. we are not crazy. Something is causing this!

Keep us posted on MRI results!!!

I would suggest that anyone with respiratory complaints or symptoms as described here gets a Lung Function Test (especially if you are a smoker or ex-smoker and/or have had problems with bronchitis/asthma). Early onset Emphysema and COPD are on the increase (probably due to increasing pollution levels in general) and people working in these fields all agree that if budget and time permitted, everyone should be having these tests. If you are unlucky enough to develop emphysema or COPD especially when young, the best defence against this is diagnosis. The sooner this is diagnosed, the better your chances and prognosis. Ask your doctor for a Lung Function Test. If this turns out to be normal, it is still very useful because if your symptoms every worsen or return, you can have another test and this can be COMPARED to the first test. The tests are comparative and any decline will be able to be ascertained straight away.

I would suggest that anyone with respiratory complaints or symptoms as described here gets a Lung Function Test (especially if you are a smoker or ex-smoker and/or have had problems with bronchitis/asthma). Early onset Emphysema and COPD are on the increase (probably due to increasing pollution levels in general) and people working in these fields all agree that if budget and time permitted, everyone should be having these tests. If you are unlucky enough to develop emphysema or COPD especially when young, the best defence against this is diagnosis. The sooner this is diagnosed, the better your chances and prognosis. Ask your doctor for a Lung Function Test. If this turns out to be normal, it is still very useful because if your symptoms every worsen or return, you can have another test and this can be COMPARED to the first test. The tests are comparative and any decline will be able to be ascertained straight away.

Hi, I have been smelling what smells like burnt toast or fire for years. I have gotten up in the night thinking something was burning or on fire. We have an expensive fire alarm system built into our security alarm, so I know it's not real. I still find myself asking my children or husband if they smell it. ( they remind me that it's a symptom. )

I have neurological damage, and found out it is a symptom of neuro damage. and is something i will deal with forever.

I have essential tremors, hereditary tremor disorders, cervical dystonia and torticollis.
My disorders aren't fatal, but will get worse with age.
When I'm too hot, too cold, stressed, too tired or in pain, my tremors are worse. that's usually when the smell is more often and stronger.

This disorder of smelling fire or burning things is related to the head. It can be a number of many things, so see a Neurologist.

I hope this helps.. Kathy

I was on Nasonex for over 5 years. When my [former] doctor recommend I stop, I did. THAT is when my smoke smell started. My ears also massively filled with fluid -I was deathly afraid I was going deaf. As a singer, it was quite traumatic. After 6 weeks (and I am a vocal music teacher), my new doctor relieved the pain and hearing loss in less than one day with prednisone.
I will see the specialist again soon, and discuss this smoke smell. Can it possibly be related to the nasonex?

No more antibiotics for me!! Too many sinus infections in my life... I have candida in my throat everywhere, and have for years. I am on an inhalor for asthma.
Anyway, sick of smelling SMOKE SMOKE SMOKE. Like a crowded bar!!
Mystery Diagnosis here we come.

Forgot to add other symptoms. Sore throat, burning eyes, little snotty haha. Itchy ears all the time, some days sinus pressure, other days fine. Off allergy meds for now.

I moved to the desert from the city. Every since I moved to the desert I have been experiencing allergies and sinus infections and smelling cigarette smoke and burning coffee smell. Maybe it is the area we live in that causes these symptoms. I've never experienced these symptoms living in the city.