I found the source of the cigarette smoke smell!

It's actual cigarette smoke!

My next door neighbor smokes on his deck stairs and I am downwind of him. I smelled the smoke and was able to catch him smoking. So much for buying a house to avoid the second hand smoke I had been breathing while renting an apartment. It comes in through the windows and French doors.

My theory is that many of us have hypersensitive noses and are able to smell cigarette smoke when others are unable to smell it. We're not crazy. We're just sensitive. We think we're crazy because nobody else smells what we do and we can't always find the source of the cigarette smoke.

It is still important to rule out medical causes such as sinus infections, allergies, etc.

My case is solved. I wish you all luck figuring out what is going on in each of your individual cases.

Best wishes,
Vomer

i have been smelling cigarette smoke on and off for a couple of weeks. and once last year for 2 days in a row. i do have asthma and allergies...and take meds for those but that's all.

my sinuses have been bothering me a lot lately and i now have a bad chest cold. but i haven't smelled it since the coughing started.

the smell for me is very strong...like someone is around me close smoking a cigarette. i smell it inside the house but not always in the same place. i smelled it so badly the other night that it made my eyes burn and my throat burn and i felt like i was choking.

i'm never around cigarette smoke unless it's in passing outside. i have smelled it once in church but mostly it is in my home. and at times is so bad i can't get the smell out of my nose. my husband never ever smells it.

HI I a 49 and live in Oklahoma...have been here for 2 yrs. was in upstate NY for the 8 yrs prior and that is where this all started...I also have been smelling cigarette smoke for about 5 yrs now off and on...nothing follows like migraine or anything but I have to breathe very shallow when I am smelling it because if I take a deep breath if feels like the smoke is filling my lungs and I cant breathe and it makes me cough. I am overweight but am not on any meds at all and my Dr. says all my tests are good so NO high blood pressure, no hi cholesterol, no diabetes no health problems at all...I do take Aleve for arthritis but just recently started taking it this year so thats out. I can be doing anything anywhere when I smell it so it's not where I am or what I am doing that triggers it. I don't smoke and neither does anyone in my house. I DID grow up in a houseful of smokers though. IF anyone has any more to say that might help figure this out I am willing to read. I have read all of the other comments and have read them on other sites and haven't figured it out yet.
Write me if you know anything that might help.

Hi again.

I first posted back in June.

I still smell smoke. It's not half as bad as before and it comes and goes. Also, I think I could just be getting used to it. I traveled to the UK for 5 weeks and the problem came with me so I'm now pretty sure it isn't anything to do with allergies or anything in my home or garden. BUT.....Here's what I honestly believe it is with me. It's stress and anxiety. I read another post, maybe on this forum or possibly another one with a similar topic, about a person who suffers from this worked out that as they got stressed the smoke smell would come. If they stopped, thought about the source of the stress and basically 'calmed' themselves down the smell would go away. It works for me. It might not be exactly obvious that I'm getting wound up about something but if I start smelling smoke I take a second to consider what I'm doing or thinking. If it's something stressful (without necessarily knowing it!) I re-assess, change my thoughts or feelings, calm myself and the smell subsides. I urge you to try it to see what happens. It's kind of a mind over matter thing. Stress is something that you don't always want to admit you are feeling but quietly accepting that you are worried or getting anxious about something and then taking steps to alleviate the worry might just work.

Same as everyone else. It has been going on for maybe 1.5 - 2 months. At first it was every once in a while, and for the past few days it has been all day long. My physician said she had only seen one other case like mine, and it went away on its on for that lucky person. She suggested I follow-up with a neurologist, so I did. He did all of his tests that one typically gets in the office - the walking a straight line, reflexes, etc, and concluded I had no obvious neurological issues, but wanted me to have an MRI just in case. I have the MRI scheduled for next week. I just tried "Simply Saline" but it seems that one application does not do the trick, but it seems like most ENT's have suggested to do this twice a day, so I guess I will start a twice daily routine.

One thing I've noticed that I dont know if I've seen in many other posts, but I notice the smoke only in the absence of any other smell. Even the faintest smell seems to overwhelm the smoke smell.

- Age: 29
- Non-smoker
- No drugs
- No current medications, however I did notice that this issue started when I started taking Skelaxin, but I have not taken it for several weeks, and the smoke sensation persists.
- Some allergies but they have never been a very big issue for me
- No known thyroid issues
- I get an average of 6.5 hours of sleep each night, which is not enough
- I had a sore on the inside of my nose, toward the end of the nostril, that persisted for some time. I'm wondering if this caused any damage, but I'm not sure if there are any nerve endings in that area of the nose

Thats about all I can think of that would have anything to do with the smoke issue.

I'm hoping the MRI comes clean, and if it does, I think I am going to deal with it, as it is not really driving me crazy. I grew up with two parents that smoke, and although I'm not "used" to it, I can deal with it.

I smell smoke everywhere I go and I've read all your articles. I went to doctor she said perhaps its from lack of sleep as I've been working long hours. So I'm to rest for six days and if after that time it doesn't improve return and have CT. I'm concerned as the smell is getting unbearable and I'm sooooo nauseous all the time. I'm truly not sure what to do at this point. I have had head injury a long time ago and am on medications for sympathetic nerve system. I'm wondering if people who've had head/brain injury are more likely to have this happen to them. If anyone can give me some advice I'd truly appreciate it.

It's 5:20 am, I can't sleep. I smelled this smoke again ( I randomly smell it) and I just want it to go away. I have bad sinus problems and I can't afford sinus infection treatment so I've probably had over a dozen over then in the last 3 years. I don't take meds. I'm only 18. I hope we figure this out...

I've been smelling cig smoke for the past three weeks. The first time it happened was back in May of 2008. Then it went away and now I smell it again. It's driving me insane. I'm so happy I found a forum and other people that are experiencing the same thing as me.

I dont smell smoke, but an iron almost blood-ish smell. It's horrible and I don't know what it's from, anyone else know?

I am having this musty smell problem in my nose and am finding on the internet that it is linked to ingesting too much aspartame (aka nutrasweet) found in diet soft drinks, etc.

Well, well, well ... I thought I was crazy and it seems I am not, at least not about smelling smoke, coffee and old fireplace smells.

Mine starts when the furnace goes on in the fall. I keep thinking it is bringing in outside smells like someone smoking a cigar or making coffee. I even thought someone was living in my attic, smoking and making coffee. I wake up at 5:15 most mornings to the smell of coffee brewing. I have gone outside to sniff, into the basement, looked for cars parked or lights on at neighbors --- nothing.

As for my health and an MRI - my brain scan showed some atrophy but not uncommon for an older person and no anomalies. I have high BP and high Cholesterol. I take no medications what-so-ever. I use a netti pot to clean sinuses and use Vicks in my nose at night to breathe. I have some disc degeneration in my neck which bothers at times. I do Yoga. I drink coffee. I do not drink or smoke. I am allergic to milk AND lactose intolerant - two different things. I have been avoiding all milk items: cheese, yogurt, casein,
milk, cream sauces, etc., for about 2 weeks and my joints have stopped swelling and are less painful. I am also allergic to yellow dye which is what they inject to take MRI's. I had to have mine without contrast (dye). There is also yellow dye in some vitamins - especially B vitamins. I am allergic to MSG, also, and Morphine.

I awoke again this morning at 5:15 a.m. smelling someone making coffee. I had no luck finding the source, as usual. I sometimes have had the furnace guy and the fireplace guy here to check for smoke odors - no luck. I have even had Consumers here to check. I hope this info gives someone a clue.

I've smelled smoke for several years now. It comes and goes. Sometimes staying only a few hours and sometimes it sticks around for several months. I did have a spell where it disappeared for what seemed like a year or so. It's never the same. It usually smells like cigarettes and being an ex-smoker (clean for about 14 years now) it reminds me of an ashtray odor. If I am around people that are smoking or in places that have heavy smoke, it almost always triggers it. I also smell something that smells like wood burning. The smells trade off. I've been watching this forum for a few years now and trying to gather info. It would be nice for everyone to take a quick quiz about what brings it on, how it reacts to different situations, what there medical history could have to do with it, etc. I have had numerous problems. Sinusitis, severe allergies, migranes, cancer, fibro-myalgia, thyroid problems, etc. I also have diabetes! (lucky me) I read someone talking about the soda possibly causing it..... I don't drink soda (only ocassionally), so I don't think that would trigger it. I have major problems with my ears. They itch all the time. It feels like I have a bug in my ear most of the time. A lot of times, when it feels "buggy" is when I start smelling the smoke. I think whatever is causing it has to do with ENT, but that is only my best guess. I've also had a concussion (sp), but that was years ago, and several years before the smoke.

With that said...... I'm 53 now. I remember as a child, I would smell strange odors that were triggered by certains foods. I.E. They use to have these root beer candies that were barrel shaped. After I would eat one, I would have an odd odor in my head......sometimes for hours, sometimes for days. Some of you have just started smelling smoke, I'm guessing it's been going on with me for at least 8 - 10 years. Prior to that were other smells. It's something I don't mention to too many people, as you probably know, they think you're crazy. lol Well, I may me crazy, but I'm also smelling smoke!!!

As I said, it would be interesting to be able to compile some information and compare how it affects and when it affects everyone. With that info and a doctor that is willing to participate, maybe we could get to the bottom of things.....

Please take note: Even though you smell smoke and it isn't there, you should always check it out to make sure. (I've been smelling smoke for a couple of weeks straight now) 3 days ago, I was in the kitchen and my husband brought something up from the basement. It smelled BAD, but not like the smoke that I had been smelling. I kept telling him to get it out....it smelled more like a chemical smell. I ran upstairs to grab a coat, and the smell was there, too! I went back in the kitchen and the found that the stove had been bumped and leaked gas all through the house. I was about 1 minute from starting to cook dinner. I started to blow it off and thought I was imagining it again, and then saw the handle turned. I almost blew us up!!! So, be careful. It is funny sometimes, but can be very dangerous, as well. Okay, I'll shut up now.

I am 39 and have been having the cigarette smoke issue for several years...it comes and goes...I will smell a burning cig every few minutes for several weeks and then it will just go away for several months...SO WEIRD! (I an a non-smoker)...glad I am not just imagining this! I was worried for a long time but now it is "normal" for me

i have been reading all these posts. i too have this problem it was a year in july. i'm 50 in menopause everything started when i stopped smoking after 30 years it will be 2 yrs in feb since i quit. when that happened i went into perimenopause have hypothyroidism. i too thought at first it was a smoke smell. its more musty smelling very hard to explain very bad here in jersey when autumn comes also when a/c is running if i'm outside and then come in i get it, when heat comes on i get it. i too have the coffee smell. i've like ya all have been tested and nothing but what i can tell you is when i'm at the computer alot it comes also my nose inside will get very wet and start to run sometimes my face gets very flushed and the smell comes i do take meds for thyroid have aciphex for stomach and also benadryl for allergies and once in a while i do a puffer and that seems to help it sometimes it interferes with my breathing so when i do the puffer it helps a little i don't wake up with it usually and of course it will go away fro 2 days and then come back for 2 days i do think its some sensitivity to certain things gas heat and a/c forced hot air. chemicals computer. they say body changes every 7 yrs and i think when i reached 49 and went into perimenopause also this started. i am very disgusted like you all are. i forbid them from putting on the oven in my house and also when anything is being fried in oil forget it i lock myself in my room till the air clears it bothers me immensley.i wish a dr would help us all. there is definetley something going on here and we all have a form of it any fumes of wood burning toaster oven regular oven barbecue stuff like that car a/c its very bad for me i hope someone helps us its interfearing with our everyday lives sorry this was so long

I also have another suggestion. i have been watching dr. oz on his show and he really seems to be a very smart and caring dr. maybe if we all write to him he mite take notice and help us all. it's worth a shot

Well, I thought I was going nuts.....I have had this problem twice now. Once last fall, started in October and lasted until April or May of the following year. I have it again this fall...It is so annoying. I found the clinical term for it " phantosmia ". Check out the Mayo Clinic website..There is info there for you....

Well, I am another smoke smeller although for me the smell is more like soot after a fire has been put out, or even that old fashioned sweet smelling pipe tobacco our grandfathers used. I don't get any of the other symptoms mentioned but am going to make an appointment to see my Dr tomorrow as my husband thinks I should get a brain scan!! It's been going on for months and months now. I don't really find it distressing just irritating especially as no one else in the house can smell it. Oh, by the way, earlier this year I had a really bad sore throat and cough which my Dr put down to allergic rhinitis.

How many of you have been exposed to mold? There might be a connection with that. I recently lived somewhere that had a serious mold problem and it was causing constant sinus problems. Smokers moved in below me and then all hell broke loose. The symptoms were blown up dramatically after they moved in. I think the mold combined with the second hand cigarette smoke seeping into my apartment did me in. i was extremely ill, shortness of breath, rapid heartbeat, itchy throat, stinging eyes, sometimes headaches. I moved. My new place has no mold. I cleaned EVERYTHING I own to get rid of any smoke smell. It's been nice so far. I have still had a slight sense of smelling smoke when I'm at home but I don't smell it anywhere else. Recently though I've been smelling it more strongly so I don't know if there's someone smoking in the building or not. That could be it but I'm not sure. Right now I can smell a slight cigarette smell and my eyes and throat burn but my friend said he smells nothing. Whatever the hell this is I think it started with the mold and the secondhand cigarette smoke made it way worse and now the smoke smell won't go away. That, or I have smoking neighbors again and that's why i smell it now. I don't know. I'll have to report back if I notice anything else.

OK. Second post>

I saw a doctor today and explained everything to him. He said he thinks I have a mold allergy and wants to start with the easy stuff first. I was told to take Claritin and see if it helps and we'd go from there. I mentioned the smelling smoke thing but I don't think he really clicked with that. He was more concerned with the fact that I was constantly breathing black mold and cigarette smoke in my old apartment.

Next thing. A friend comes over to my new place and I swear I can smell cigarettes. Not strongly but it's there. I smell it. He's a non smoker as well. I ask him and he smells nothing. When I'm outside I don't smell anything. I get into my car and I smell it again. I have to drive with the windows down. NOBODY smokes in my car. My clothes don't smell like cigarettes either so where is this coming from?

Well today I made a very odd discovery after I had come back from my doctor. My hands were clean and smelled only like skin. I was outside and the air smelled perfectly fine. However my throat was scratchy and my nose was slightly burning like I had been recently exposed to secondhand cigarette smoke. I took a deep breath and cupped my hands over my face and deeply exhaled. Guess what?.....
I'M EXHALING CIGARETTE SMOKE!!!
Of course I smell it and no on else does! Of course my throat and nose hurt! I'm expelling cigarette smoke particles every time I exhale! It's not super strong but it's there and it's unmistakable. This explains everything as to why I keep smelling it and why my nose and throat hurt even though I'm not around cigarette smoke anymore.

A little background again:
Two weeks ago I moved away from an old apartment that was being flooded with cigarette smoke from the people who had just moved in downstairs. That apartment was also filled with black mold and I didn't know it. It was everywhere! I always had either a stuffed up or runny nose for years and I now know that it was because I was breathing in tons of black mold. On top of that the last few months I lived there I was breathing in ridiculous amounts of cigarette smoke. I moved and since then I can't shake the cigarette smell because I'm still exhaling that nasty crap. I do know that our lungs have the ability to clean themselves and that the irritants we breathe are pushed back up out of the lungs to be expelled through coughing or just into to the throat to be swallowed. I have a feeling the reason some of us smell cigarette smoke is because we were exposed to a great deal of it at one point and our lungs have been unable to get rid of it entirely. Why that is I don't know but I'm willing to bet breathing mold spores into the lungs plays a major part in why that is happening. If the lungs are under attack from a fungus infection it is probably hampering the ability to get the cigarette smoke particles out. This is my guess. I can't say that for sure but it does make a lot of sense when you look at my situation.

So the question is this?
How many of you have also been exposed to mold? Look around your house, everywhere. If you see any black mold growing then you ARE breathing in mold spores guaranteed. This is incredibly BAD news for you. Look on window sills, baseboards, and everywhere else. It can even be in your carpet where it might be harder to see. Breathing this stuff in is bad and I think that combined with breathing in someone's cigarette smoke at some point is what is causing this problem, at least for some of us. Others may have a different problem.

I'm not sure how Claritin will help. If it just treats mold allergy symptoms that may not be enough I'd think. If mold spores are present in my lungs wouldn't I need something to kill that? And if I can get rid of the mold spores will the cigarette smoke particles finally clear out of me?

This was a long post but I hope it helps some of us because I think there are at least a few others here who will realize they are in the same situation I'm in. I know I'm not the first one to mention the connection to black mold.

I'll report back again after I see my doctor again.

Once again, do the test I mentioned above and see if YOU are exhaling cigarette smoke smells. You might be surprised. If possible find someone who will let you breathe in their face. The reason you're smelling this and your throat and nose hurt could be because your exhaling it.

i can't believe that i found this forum! i felt so alone and haven't been able to find the source of smoke that i smell the majority of the day and night wherever i am. i've never been a smoker, usually never around any types of smoke and right now, my throat and nasal passages are scratchy just from this smell. with a little research, it's called phantosmia and it's causes can vary. one thing that i caught in my research is that soy can be a cause in which i have been drinking so much soy in the last 3 months. i will be curious to see what happens when i eliminate soy from my diet. good luck to everyone out there and continue to research. also, be careful as i have read that there can be other causes which can involve the brain.