I was amazed to find such a group as this. Did the Google search for "I smell cigarette smoke all the time" on a feeling I had. Can't believe that others are experiencing this too. Mine started last fall, I think. I was diagnosed with Sarcoidosis, whose side-effects include chronic fatigue, depression, and low thyroid. I have no idea what the connection would be. I take Paxil and Test Booster, as well as Levothyroxin. That's it. Don't smoke. Don't drink. No drugs. 38 y/o male, good health, a little overweight. Live in Boston, MA. Symptoms: smell cigarette smoke all the time, and it's getting worse. I have ocular migraines, which is nothing new, though. I have many instances of just pure nausea, and until coming to this forum, I didn't think about if nausea and this cigarette smell was related. But, I think they started at the same time. My stomach hurt, and I had a CT scan. The scan came back negative, but they found nodules in my lymph system along my lungs, which led to a diagnosis of sarcoidosis. I also drink a ton of coffee, so I will quit that, I think...over time. I have a feeling that hyperbaric oxygen therapy (hbot) will be my next step, since I work at a hyperbaric clinic...write me if you live in MA and want to discuss.

Like everyone else, I decided on a whim to search "i smell cigarrettes" and ended up here... amazed to see so many others with the same symptoms. I see lots of common threads... I too am on atenolol, suffer from sinus infections... I think I'll also print these threads and bring them to my doc.

I brought it up to my Lung doctor in Nashoba Medical Center. He bookmarked this site during the visit. He said that the reason for the smelling sensation we all have is due to nerve damage in the local area in the nasal passage or the nose. He said the nerve endings are damaged, and they then interpret smell in this way - so we smell smoke similar to when if you lost your arm, your nerve endings might tell you that your fingers are tingling. Does this make sense? I, for one, have a deviated septum, have had many concussions, and Sarcoidosis affects many disparate organs, including the eyes (don't know about nose); but, I know that I have had trauma to my nose thanks to a severe case of police brutality by a bully Boston cop - but, hey, that's another story. I'm looking into using HBOT right now as I think if it's nerve damage, HBOT (hyperbaric oxygen therapy) would be extremely beneficial, as its benefits include rapid tissue healing. Will keep a log.

I have been smelling cigerette smoke for the last couple of weeks, my eyes and throat sting slightly as if I have been around smokers, but I'm not. It happens on and off thoughout the day. I am so thankful I am not alone, although I would not wish this on anyone as it drives me nuts as I HATE cigarette smoke. Help!

I recently had a serious sinus infection and cold, am still sort of getting over it and I began smelling cigarette smoke. My wife smelled it once when I moved towards her. I was taking alot of vitamin C, zinc, and multivitamins, to help boost my immune system. Now I smell the cigarette smoke smell, usually while laying down in bed. It isn't terrible but I notice it because I hate the smell. I think it is very interesting that other people have this same condition. I think it is related to the sinus infections or possibly from medicine. I took quite a bit of tylenol and otc meds to get through the sickness. Good luck to all of you and hopefully we can figure out what it is.

im 18, and dont smoke i think its disgusting. but every so often i go through a period of a couple week where i smell smoke everywhere, and yes like all of you there is NO smoker around, or source of smoke.

It feels like the smoke is in my lungs though, and it makes me feel sick to my stomach. It is almost as if the air isnt clean its just pure dirt. I feel as if im not getting proper air supply due to the smoke/ cigaret feelings in my lungs. Oh and i am not over weight, and am fairly heathy.

you might want to pay attention to see if this "smelling smoke" business is due to panic attacks, i seem to notice the cigaret smell more when im going through time of stress.

i dont know what this is! there must be answer.

if i find anything out i will let you know.


best of luck to all of you !

I too have been having the constant smell of cigarette smoke at home, work, car, etc.. and no one else can smell it except me. I too just got over a bad sinus infection and was on Azithromycin for 7 days. I noticed that in alot of these posts, everyone who is smelling cigarette smoke has just gotten over a sinus infection or an allergy of some type.
This is definately strange. I have had other sinus infections and have Asthma and I have never in my life smelled so much cigarette smoke where there is none. The post about the brain tumor is scary! If this doesn't go away, I will have to go back to my doctor.

I smell smoke as well only when I put my hands to my nose though. Sometimes, I smell blood even though there's no blood when I blow my nose. Also I asked a close friend if she smelled anything and she said it smelled like stinky breath. I've had a CT scan and it showed my sinus was clear. I do feel difficulty in breathing sometimes (at first I thought it was bcus I sleep on my chest) .. I'm guessing it's a respiratory infection. Will confirm in probably 2 weeks. I'm wondering if this sounds like bronchitis? I developed the seasonal pollen allergy about 1.5 yrs ago & that's when I also developed this smell.

It's not a nerve problem it's your body telling you you need a detox maybe your liver is in a fatty state or your immune system is underactive, go look for my posts around this site, asthma, cfs , depression , allergies & some others you will find info that will direct you to gain knowlege to self treat & advice on how to contact me if you require me to help, no fees i just want to help people with what i have experienced, learned & applied to the improvement of my life after being a cronic sufferer of a lot of health issues that people on this forum experience.

The smell of cigarette smoke in my new apartment, when none of us smoke became so annoying that I decided to 'google it'. I found these threads. So if I understand correctly there could be a number of causes, from sinus / fungal infection, growths in your nose, prescription drugs, neorological disease or brain tumor. Sounds like the ENTs of this world don't take it seriously but I will discuss with my doctor and let you know what I find out.

This is my story. Been allergic to dust, house dust mite and most furry animals to include my favorite the horse which can send me into such an allergic frenzy that I have to go to hospital.

Husband's Grandfather's house around 50 years old was recently gutted, to make way for improvements. We visited the place and I noticed really thick dust in the kichen - in a section behind the wall. Both the visual and actual dust / dust mite sent me into a massive allergic frenzy which got gradually worse week by week. I have been taking Singulair and Clarytin for about 4 years - in an effort to control my allergic asthma - which worked fine all this time I rarely needed my emergency inhaler (Ventolin or Albutorol). During the 6 weeks when my allergies got worse and worse we did have alot of tree pollen where I live, I visited the Bronx Zoo and we also moved into a new apartment. The combination of these events caused me to become hypersensitive until I was taken benedryl morning and night, in addition to my Singualair and Clarytin. Everynight I would sneeze so much and my eyes would become so swollen that I looked like I had gone 3 rounds with Mike Tyson. As anyone knows, who has allergies, once you start rubbing your nose and eyes there is no turning back and the allergies very rarely ware off.

So my repeated calls to the doctor ended up in them prescribing Allegra, which I take now - in addition to the Singulair - Daily. They also gave me 6 days of steroids. Which really got things undercontrol, although the side effects such as dizzyness, tiredness and generally feeling crazy aren't great. I am day 3 without steroids and I can feel myself getting more allergic, although it's definately manageable. Now the smoke smell has come on, around the same time as I started the steroids. I have never experienced this before. I used to smoke years ago, more of a social smoker really and I could take it or leave it. My husband and I quit smoking altogether 3 years ago, so the smell of smoke is somewhat bothersome. Also smoke can trigger my allergies - so it's important for me to know whether I am actually smelling real smoke or something else.

As I said before I will be contacting my doctor and will let you know what they do. Here's hoping it's not something too serious.

Good luck everyone!

I have read all of the posts and I still don't know anything. Has anyone who was referred for a CAT scan have it and what were the results. My doctors say that it may be a hormonal imbalance. I too smell the smoke and many doctors and specialists have pretty much laughed me off. The nurses have no idea what I am talking about and I find that I am teaching a class to them while they take my blood pressure because I have done the research and actually know more about it than they do! Somebody, please post your CAT scan or MRI results! I would love to know. Maybe someone needs to do some kind of thesis or doctoral research study on all of us...because it sounds like we could all end up in blazing the trails on this issue.
Janice, Hampton, VA

I have had this experience of smelling "cigarettes" a couple of times. You won't get the answer I am about to give at any doctor's office. I am a holistic practitioner and when I have experienced the sensation it has come after I have experienced a deep energy healing session. It has to do with a past life pattern that needs to be cleared. I am currently learning more about it. This is not anything you want to make "go away" with meds or medical tests as it won't ever get to the root cause...

I've been smelling smoke off and on for about 3 months. My Neurologist said it could be a frontal lobe tumor or depression. I saw a psyciatrist and was prescribed an anti depressant...and ta da the smoke smell went away. Fast forward a month....the smoke smell is back. I had an MRI on Friday and will report back once I get more info. I also understand from some others that it could be sinus related...don't have any sinus problems...but you never know. Best of luck to all.

Old factory smell. Caused by damaged to the brain from toxins that builds up as you walk along the streets picking up old factories expelling toxic waste and polluting the air you breath in. You may experience it more when you stay up late or have little sleep. Also you may experience a tinge of headache. To prevent further damage try and get at least 7 hours of sleep each day, avoid cigarettes or smokers and old factories.

I have been smelling smoke on and off for about a week now. It is irregular and not annoying, but it is there. I hope the symptoms don't get any worse as some of you seem to be badly effected. I have chronic Rhinitis from a dust allergy and am permanently on Citirizine Hydrochloride.

For about two weeks I too have been smelling cigarette smoke everywhere I go all the time. No one else smells it. Im not a smoker nor is anyone in my immediate family. The smell is so strong and so sickening I can barely eat. The good news is that Ive lost 10lbs without even trying the bad news is I hate this smell and have no idea how to get rid of it. At least Im not the only one, I suppose there is some comfort in that.

I smell a toxic gas sometimes when I wake up!
Sometimes a wake up and I smell something toxic. I have never smelled that before at any other time. It has happened at least 4 times now. I am not dreaming when I wake up to the smell. It lingers for about 15 seconds. Once I went out of the bedroom to check in the kitchen. I didnt' smell anything there. The smell always goes away after about 15 seconds. I don't know what it is, but it scares me. My son was murdered a year and a half ago and I am very stressed and on paxil. I also have high blood pressure and acid reflux desease. I live alone.

I just read another forum and I'm posting here too.

I read this.........



To all of those who suffer from "smelling" cigarette smoke that is not present:



I believe I have figured out what might be going on, from personal experience coupled with deep knowledge of medical science. First, I believe only individuals hypersensistive to mold spores will experience this, and the anecdote that follows provides the rationale. I became quite ill, as others have reported, including the mother of all sinus infections, where I completely lost my senses of taste of smell for more than one month. This was merely a coincidence, as many others who report these phantom odors or olfactory hallucinations, as I like to refer to them, were not previously ill. At around the same time, my dehumidifier in the basement was failing, which I eventually replaced. This odor of cigarette smoke just would not go away. It seemed to be worse in the rooms of the house that were located in the rear portion, but that said, the odor would follow me everywhere I went - in the car, the gym, even outside, although to a much lesser extent. I did, however, notice that it was absolutely worse in my home. I also went the route everyone else did - set up an appointment with the ENT guy, who, of course, immediately moves to rule out a brain tumor and orders an MRI. He looked up in the sinus cavity, and saw that there was some mild inflammation, but needed the MRI. A few days later, the ENT guy calls me up on the phone, and says the good news is that there is no brain tumor, but the bad news is that he has no clue what to do to alleviate the phantom odor. Aaaahhhhh...the science of modern medicine. We might as well be back in Hippocrates times...at least they would have attempted trephination or something. Anyway, I'm downstairs in the basement last night finishing up some laundry, and I just happened to look up in a corner (in the REAR of the basement), and low and behold, there was a fairly significant patch of mold growth on the wall adjacent to a bend in the clothes dryer vent pipe. I bleached the crap out of it, cleaned it up, and the next morning (today), I no longer "smelled" cigarette smoke anywhere in the house.



OK - so here's the theory: The mold spores spewing forth from this undetected patch of mold in the basement, to which I am hypersensitive already, was causing my olfactory epithelium, as well as the remainder of my sinuses, to become inflamed and irritated. This irritation of the olfactory epithelium (which is at the very top of the sinus cavity) was simply being interpreted by the brain as cigarette smoke, since smoke is an irritant to this epithelium, and I am also hypersensitive to cigarette smoke in particular. The watering eyes and irritated throat are also the result of irritation of these mucous membranes by the allergen. The reason the phantom odor travels with you wherever you go is because these mucous membranes have become chronically irritated and inflamed over time, and that does not subside in a matter of a few hours while temporarily away from the source. Now, not everyone experiencing these phantom odors and irritation will be due to mold spores, but I guarantee you that it is due to something in your home or work space to which you are hypersensitive. You must find the source, remove it, and you will be cured.



AND MY POST IS THIS>>>>>>





Hello. Like almost everyone here I'm surprised and relieved to know I'm not alone. I googled 'smelling cigarette smoke' 'altered sense' and couldn't believe how many websites and forums there are. Of course I'm EXTREMELY disappointed not to read of a solution to the problem. I started smelling smoke 4 days ago. I had just laid a lot of 'mulch' outside in my garden and though I must be smelling that. Then I decide it was definitely cigarette smoke and went outside to see if it was coming form my neighbor's. It wasn't and my husband couldn't smell any smoke at all. It's been driving me crazy and I actually got a bit upset and cried today. I have a 5 month old baby and I feel as if her room smells of smoke. It's awful. I've got myself all worried about it being something wrong with my brain as I had a sharp pain on the front right side of my head yesterday. Please, I'd love to hear more stories of people with this problem going for scans and getting the 'all-clear'. I've made an appointment with an ENT specialist for next week. I will definitely post the results here as I know that answers are really important to people like me searching with this strange condition. I saw a lot of posts with people saying they would report back but didn't. I'm hoping it's for a 'good' reason because the problem just went away and they forgot about it....

Anyway, I'm slightly intrigued by the last post about the mould!! It certainly has a connection to me now I think about it and as soon as I finish typing I'm off to deal with what I think may by my source. I've been going crazy lately with my towels never smelling clean no matter how many times I wash them and dry them, as soon as they become wet after one use they have an awful 'damp' smell. I googled the problem yesterday and found the reason is bacteria that regular detergent can't remove and it was suggested to use white vinegar in the wash. It also said to clean the washing machine and look under the rubber boot in the door for mould. (I have a front loader) I looked last night and it needed cleaning....meant to do it today but I forgot (too bust worrying about why I'm smelling cigarette smoke all day). Point is I've been jamming my nose into and inhaling deeply my towels regularly to see if they still smell and I'm wondering now because of the last post if I've inhaled some kind of mould bacteria and that has cause this 'smoke smelling problem'??? I'm excited to go and clean my washing machine with bleach to see if it helps.... By the way, washing towels in vinegar certainly worked, if you're having the problem!! So, it's trying to find a link here for everyone suffering this....I'm clutching at straws because I SO DON'T want to believe there's anything wrong with my brain.....Do your towels have a weird 'damp' smell??? I know it's a common problem......other things that are a bit out of the ordinary for me to see if anyone finds a link are:


* I'm breastfeeding.


* I'm on a very restricted diet because my baby has 'sensitivities' No wheat and no dairy for the last four months.


* I've recently laid a LOT of mulch in the garden.


* I'm tired becasue of not getting enough sleep.


* I don't have allergies that I'm aware of.


* I consider myself to be a bit of an anxious type, I'm claustrophobic.


I can't think of anything else worth mentioning but if I do I'll certainly be back.


I'd love to hear if anyone else has 'musty' smelling towels though....wouldn't it be fantastic if THAT was the problem......

Ok.

I posted a couple of days ago. I have an MRI appointment tomorrow.

In the meantime I've been reading more and I'm convinced this isn't anything to do with the brain although now I'm worried so I'm going ahead with the MRI to rule it out.....

I just bought a neti pot to try as a few people seemed to have had success...I've used one before many years ago so I'm not new to it and I know how to do it. I can NOT get the water to come out of my other nostril!!! I've tried many different head angles and even just watched a 'how to' video on youtube. I'm relaxed, I'm not afraid (as I said, I've done it before) I'm doing it RIGHT and the water will not come. All I'm getting is a pain in my forehead.

Is it possible to have blocked sinuses without even knowing it??? I can breathe fine.....

Yes, I am too smelling the smoke. For about 5 years now on and off and now after yet another spiritual healing episode I smell it constantly. I smell it everywhere and i am sure there are no mold patches on the beach. I am healthy, eating good, mostly organic food. I take no medicine, I have no allergy, no respiratory or sinus problems.

I am surprised that almost nobody has mentioned spiritual and psychic episodes in this forum. There is literature on it in that context. In Ancient Egypt and in Mayan and Aztec cultures there was a custom of removing part of the bony skull on shamans and high priests who experienced expansion in the brain.

I am a nurse/midwife/yoga teacher and I love and respect science. In the old days science and spirituality used to go hand in hand. I believe that the common denominator in all our stories is some type of pressure on nerves in and around the brain. Sometimes it has a physiological cause (tumors, inflammation, other things causing swelling) and sometimes it is just an expansion of the brain due to energetic events. I feel these expensions, as if my brain were breathing and I feel energy moving in and out on the top of my head (a common experience during meditation). I also have the pressure, burning and sensitivity of the eyes.

The pitiutary gland is still an enigma to doctors, the one part of the human body that is still not understood. I have no question in my mind that my case is connected to spiritual healing but I am concerned because the literature on this in this context speaks of demonology and exorcism. I feel no evil force in me at all but as we know demons love possessing the "goodest" people. I respect the medical approach in this forum but if anyone has comments and experience on this, please share. The smell is reminiscent of cigarettes and must and I hate it. I don't want it to be part of my life