Here's my situation. I'm 28. Haven't really had problems with sinus or allergies. About 2 weeks ago I started smelling cigarette smoke all the time. I first noticed it at work when I was around a co-worker who smokes so I thought that's what I was smelling. But I haven't stopped smelling it yet. I smell it everywhere...work, home, car. As if the smell is inside my nose. I've noticed that my nose is a little stuffy but only late at night and my throat is dry. I do have migraines, but that's nothing new. My husband was worried it was a symptom of a brain tumor so I Googled it and wound up here.

I forgot to mention that I don't usually smell the cigarette smoke smell when I'm outside...usually it only occurs when I'm in a closed space (i.e. home, work, car, etc.). At first I thought my downstairs neighbors were smoking and it was wafting up through their ceiling to our floor but I actually went and asked them and they said they didn't smoke and I've never seen them do so. I did have a serious sinus infection several months ago (6 maybe) and took a Z-Pack to treat it. But this smoke smell didn't begin until 2 weeks ago. I smell it now. It doesn't trigger my migraines and my eyes don't burn but it does make my throat really dry. I've noticed to most everybody on here mentioned sinus infections and Z-Pack.

... me too

INTERESTINGLY, i have the worst time with this, right here, right now sitting in the den right next to my laptop!! i'm going to do some experiments in this regard. don't forget wall mount or other types of LCD TVs you might have.

I posted on the other thread http://ehealthforum.com/health/viewtopic.p hp?t=30007&postdays=0&postorder=as c&start=120&sid=adc495598856d13f22 fb7c5f890a4fbd

but thought I would post here. I have smelled smoke for a over a month and after finding this forum I went to an ENT today. He put a scope up my nose and said I have nasal polyps in both sides! He said what I have is parosmia and it's not uncommon but occurs when there is disease or injury to the upper olfactory area - whether it's allergies, infection, tumors or polyps etc. I'm now on Nasonex 2x a day then I go back in 3 weeks. I'm also getting a CT scan next week I'll report back.

You most likely have something treatable so definitely go see a ENT not a general physician!!

This is weird. I guess you really can find anything on the internet! I have had this cigarette smell issue on and off for a few months. One thing I noticed I have in common with a few other is I take Atenenol for blood pressure. I saw that at least 2 others take this. I don't have sinus infections, headaches or any of that. Just every once in a while this strong cigarette smell like someone near me is smoking. It doesn't seem related to where I am and no one else smells it. I also take lipitor and supplements of red yeast and COQ10. I'm not sure how widely used Atenenol is. It could be just a co-incidence.

I also have developed this weird disorder but i'm just putting it on the list of all my other weird medical problems. I also had severe sinus problems and bronchitis. The treatment for the sinuses was massive doses of Levaquin Adviitar. My immune system is probably totally screwed up and the smoke smelling thing is a side effect. I also just smell it indoors. I haven't mentioned it to anyone because if I say i have one more thing the matter with me my family will freak. The sinuses and bronchitis were following foot surgery and two torn miniscus. No I was not playing football, I wish I could. I'll come back to this site to see if anyone finds a solution to the smoke smelling "thing."

check out this page found on Google Books:
http://books.google.com/books?id=CvtD_yHcz 0cC&pg=PA54&lpg=PA54&dq=sinus smell burning&source=web&ots=7-zlA UV3XT&sig=ZCag9UA5r4zLfAqI14NV-IZ9o1Y# PPA54,M1
take a look at page 54

It sounds exactly like what I've been experiencing myself. I've had 3 years chronic sinusitis now, and am still getting through almost a third consecutive month of very bad allergies and infections. My doctor's put me on a rigorous antibiotic plan, and I will get a CT scan next month. I'd suggest you all find a doctor who will do the same.

Also, it might be worth mentioning that most of these posts seem to be happening during the fall season. I wouldn't be surprised if this phenomenon is related to seasonal allergies.

I am a 35 year old mother of 4 and I have had this problem for a year or more.. I am a Singer and I have Nodules on my Vocal cords and I am wondering if that could be an issue. No one in my house smokes,But growing up I lived with a mom that smoked about 3 or 4 packs a day So I just assumed maybe it was that and the Smell I am smelling is cigarettes ,after living with a mom that smoked and died of lung cancer I would no that smell from anywhere and as I am reading I am seeing alot of this problem is from people who have sinus issues.So I guess mine could probably be from the Nodules,But in any case I do feel better that I am not going crazy and this is not in my head.. *Blessing and Love*

to heavy cigarette smoke at a chain restaurant recently. Noticed it immediately and have had issues ever since. Time passed after my dining experience with no immediate smelling issue. However later that day and definitely the next day I kept smelling smoke. Then I remember how severe the smoke was when I visited my favorite nationwide chain for the seafood lover in me. However each day passes and I have since developed flu like symptoms and this chronic smell of smoke. I can still smell other things when they are close by or I put my nose up to them. I have not had any sinus issues. I had a dry scratchy throat the day I dined. It was sandy dry and I would have to take a drink of liquids to relieve it.
I feel like my impaired immunities or dry sinuses etc... might have been further aggitated (my nasal cilia) . I think somehow those darn smoke toxins have adhered somehow into my sinuses. I have never had such a distaste for second hand smoke as I did on that particular day. It seemed exaggerated. My sinuses must have been hypersensitive for some reason.
I do use an LCD screen, but gosh I have had this for years now. Since they first came on the market. My flu has come and gone but the smoke stays. I tried the saline bit with no luck. I might try a neti pot. And a z pack. This is freaking ridiculous and I believe it is linked to allergies associated with coming in contact with second hand smoke. I can normally pass smoke or smokers and never develop this symptom. However, now it is a definite issue. Odd how I developed this as I was unknowingly becoming ill too.
I hate the smell of smoke. I have always been sensitive to it. But it was normal because a lot of people get that same smoke headache. Or that heavy perfume headache.
Anyhow.... I thought I was definitely not experiencing something that was unheard of. It seemed to coincidental. So google away and here I am.
Makes me think of a tobacco or chain restaurant lawsuit.
And another thing. That was about my 3'rd or 4'th visit to that particular location to dine and I had realized in the past that their so called smoking section did not seem well ventilated or far enough away.
What do ya'll think?

It started about 5 months ago. I only smelled the smoke after dinner when I sat to watch the evening news--and that would be it. Now, for the past 2 weeks, I smell smoke all the time--occasionally it stops; but returns with a vengence. I do know that if I am near a smoker or where there was smoking going on--I would then get very sensitive to this and could not shake the smell for a long time. I've hardly ever had sinus problems and only take Clonazapan (generic--its a mild relaxer). I am 47 years old and in good shape; I do get migranes but maybe 2 or 3 a year; regular headaches I get are maybe 3-4 a week; but they are mild and don't last very long ( I don't take med for the headaches beacause they don't last long) I am hoping someone posts a success story soon.

I just posted a message; and while going over some other comments--I realized that as irrational at it sounds--I bought a new laptop about 7 months ago; and I use it almost every evening after getting home from work--and only about 6 months ago I was smelling smoke only in the evenings--my problem is that (in the last 2 or 3 weeks) I smell smoke now all the time. I know it doesn't make sense about the laptop--but I figure I throw it out there--who knows.

Smoke smell is only alleviated by sneezing and having a bit of sinus congestion. OR by the smell of something else in the air. Like dinner cooking or a candle etc...... Occasionally when the smoke smell is overwhelming me I will intentionally put my nose to my shirt so I can smell my perfume or my fabric softener. I have noticed that the smoke smell makes me feel a bit uneasy or aggitated at times because I get the sensation to suddenly roll down the car window. SUBCONSCIOUSLY
BUT THEN...... I realize it is ONLY ME in the car that is smelling the smoke.
So no need to roll down the window.

Additionally the climate here where I live has been very unseasonably warm and we were still in the high 80's until mid Oct. We now have a somewhat feel of Fall , but not really.

I know cigarette smoke emits particals into the air that are not present by other normal scents we smell on a day to day basis. I believe I have some sort of tar smoke nicotine type air molecules that have adhered somehow to the cilia and found themselves in the membranes.
The sensation of smelling cigarette smoke is so darn annoying. I would rather be stuck smelling some sort of other smell rather than this irritating one. Even when I mouth breathe I am still fooled by the smell up inside my nose. It is fooling my brain into thinking that I am inhaling a lot of smoke. And I am not sure how the long term effects of that are going to playout with day to day health. This cannot be a PHANTOM smell because if that were the case then we would all be smelling a variation of OTHER TYPES OF SMELLS.

Sure is a COINCIDENCE that we are ALL SMELLING SMOKE.
Why keep trying to blame it on other things? I honestly believe this is some sort of unknown affect and direct result of second hand smoke.

Other smells don't really aggravate or irritate like SMOKE does.
Yesterday there was a man smoking on a corner while I was walking down the street and the smell hit me from 40 feet away. I could smell it drifting.
I got annoyed and held my breath until I could get into my car and shut the car door before I took another breath.

YES I AM THAT FREAKED OUT OF COMING IN CONTACT with ANYMORE SECOND HAND SMOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've got the same probelm. Sometimes, like for the past couple of weeks, it's cigarette smoke. Other times it's like burning wood like that of a camp fire.

I am not exposed to cigarette smoke at all. I live and work in a smoke free environment. I don't go to clubs and restaurants and such where there is smoke.

I did used to use menthol 4-Way each night before I went to bed because sometimes I'd wake up in the middle of the night with a little bit of a stuffy nose. But aside from that I've never had any allergies, sinus problems, I couldn't tell you the last time I had any sort of headache, or any other health problems.

I also noticed over the weekend that I can no longer smell a citrus candle, but if I use a cinnamon one, I can smell it fine.

I live on the Texas Gulf Coast so there is a lot of humidity. Although the past couple of weeks it has been very pleasantly cool with hardly any humidity.

I have been suffering from this problem for the past 4-5 years, intermittently. Recently, my symptoms have become more regular - every day. I used to think someone was smoking in the building where I worked. My co-workers thought I was nuts, although sometimes, just to humor me, one or two would actually say they smelt it, too. 2 years ago I changed jobs and I now have the problem even more prevalently.

At first I was afraid to seek professional help, thinking any physician would think me crazy. In fact, a year ago, I broke down and saw an ENT specialist. He did allergy tests but did not find anything significant. I have also suffered from sinus headaches, and thought I had some sort of infection. That route did not provide any results.

I saw a neurologist approximately 2 months ago. She thought I was wise to seek her help. I had an MRI and a sleep deprived EEG to test for brain tumors and/or epilepsy. Fortunately, the tests were negative, although epilepsy is not ruled out. She has opted to treat me for Migraines using anti-depressants. This hasn't worked. The reason for the migrain treatment is because I generally develop a long term headache along with the burning smells, as well as burning eyes and throat, which leads to chronic coughing. My neurologist believes the burning smells are olfactory hallucinations pre-migraine, as opposed to a visual hallucinations or light sensitivity. I don't believe I have migraines either, as my understanding of migraines, people don't have them day after day after day.

Sometimes, I will wear a face mask which helps, for whatever reason. It's like the smell is outside my body, in the air and if I can block it, by covering my nose and mouth, I am okay. Only thing is, no one else can smell it! I don't get it!

I would really love to find a "cure" for this as it affecting my life in a major way. I am in my early fifties now and have wondered if my symptoms aren't related to menopause, although reading some of these posts, I find my situation is not limited to females.

Odd it has started to dissipate. But for a brief moment last night I thought it was back.
Darn I quit using splenda which was the only thing I had started new right before the smoke smell.

Any relation to the symptoms. I dunno. I can't say for sure. Do I miss my splenda tea. Ya But I was using the POWDER form and it did irritate my nose a few times when the particles from the powder flew into the air.

other than that.........
Previously I could pass by a smoker and probably not become as conscious of it as I am if it is heavy smoke. So I was basically not fully aware of who was smoking and where.
People SMOKE EVERYWHERE.
Except NOT IN a desiginated non smoking area.

Whatever caused that smoke smell is strange because if it were a supposed phantom smell then why is our noses choosing to smell smoke only?
I don't see posts of anyone wanting to know why they are the only one smelling musty mildew, a skunk, sewage, etc..... Those a strong sickening odors.
Are we to believe the population under these so called phantom smells are incapable of creating another scent to hallucinate about. LOL
fool Dr.s

We NOW know that we have pesticides in our blood stream and teflon and antibacterial cleaners etc...... There has been tons of reports that show how many chemicals are in our body today from household things that we use in our day to day lives. It was on the news, and the paper etc.....

Do we know the long term effects of all of this? NO
How do we know for sure what can and cannot affect us!!! Our immune system and our environment and how germs enter the body etc... are all the time being understood by scientist.
For pete sakes they just discovered another huge never before seen species of a dinosaur. HUGE

And those drug companies and tobacco companies just want to sell us anything to keep a profit and deny everything.
Dr.s need to prescribe more tests in order to make more money.

There IS something really wrong with the fact that this is a REAL CONDITION and still not diagnosable.
I love chocolate and fresh scents. Why didn't I create an imaginary one of those.
Hmmmm because my nostrils decided for me to only smell smoke.. right?
LOL
WRONG
It is an irritant that somehow affected the oleofactory.
I don't have any tumor.
Those people have numerous phantom smells. Not just smoke.
My Dad was a heavy smoker.
I have been exposed to smoke on and off throughout my life.
But this is a new recent problem.
And odd.
But I am odd... I also have a geographic tongue. Which it to changes with different chemical and hormonal fluctuations of the body, but to this day no scientist can tell you how or why and nobody seems to really care either. LOL
The dentist knows what it is when he sees someone with a geographic tongue. The spots on the tongue and texture changes and is always evolving. One day smooth and other days your tongue looks like a real map.
My fifth child now has a geographic tongue. The other 4 do not.
Nobody else in my family has one or aunts or grandparents etc.... But someone somewhere on somebodies side of the family had it. LOL

I have always been one of those people too that can smell something before most people.

Splenda connection... well I can't say for sure.
Seems sort of weird.

One person mentioned using CIPRO and zithromyocin. CIPRO works much more differently than z packs. So it would make sense that cipro worked.

If mine comes back then I am going to use inhousepharmacy to get some cipro.

I have never had a problem with this particular company.
And I don't have to run to the Dr. for a Rx each time.

I have been using them since 1999.

Ciao for now

This was interesting to find. I am smelling smoke frequently. Started about 6 weeks ago. It's too the point where I will be speaking and actually gag due to the smell. There is clearly no one smoking around. Happens no matter where I am so that rules out environmental factors. Just wanted to share.

No smokers here either, but was told by my ear, nose and throat DR, this was the first sign of a sinus infection????????????? Now I can't believe this because I am not having any problems with my sinuses...................anyone else have an answer????? HELP.................

I have been smelling smoke for the past 2 weeks. I live alone and am a non smoker. I have had an 3 MRI's in the past 2 years and they found brain abnormalities. Demyelination (T2). They did not associate the smelling smoke with the abnormalities.
I have a total electric home with nothing gas. I can not imagine why this is happening. The closest thing to sinus problems I have had was a stuffy nose I corrected with Flonaise.
Like the rest of you I am at a loss as to what is causing the problem.

Well I can't believe I found People who have the same problem!. I thought I was losing my mind. My husband never smells anything. I was reading the previous post and made a connection.
I have MRI's every 2 years, for MS, for the past 10 years, I also have brain tumor which was diagnosed a year ago. I have been smelling, gaging, runny stinging eyes for the last 4 years on this mysterious smoke smell. I do not know if there is any connection, but it is something I will be talking with my neurologist about.

For me it comes and goes. May last a few days to months. I as just thinking about it the other day, I hadn't smelled it in over 2 months, Bam! it's back.
My throat actually gets sore and raspy sounding. No one smokes around me, not around smoke at all, my house is the only place I smell it. I have an all electric house, doesn't matter if it is summer or winter.

I wonder if this has anything to do with the Weather Modification

Are you aware that the U.S. Air Force is continuously spraying aluminum and barium particles into North America's skies in an attempt to prevent global warming? Aluminum causes Alzheimer’s, which is rapidly increasing in incidence, and barium is a cumulative poison!

Since chemtrails are commonly spread over populated areas where temperature differentials are greatest and solar shading most needed, it is probable that particulate-laden plumes are precipitating airborne viruses, bacteria and fungi down into human lungs and respiratory systems unable to recognize or resist the alien invaders.
Many observers have become ill within four to 48 hours of watching chemtrails form. A metallic, oily, or corrosive smell and taste has also been widely reported in the wake of chemtrails.

Some health effects of chemtrails are pneumonia, chronic bronchitis, and/or increased frequency and duration of asthma attacks; these severe "flu-like" symptoms linger for months. Other symptoms associated with heavy spraying include disorientation, depression, inexplicable anxiety, and an inability to concentrate.

U.S. Code Title 50, Section 1520 states that the Secretary of Defense may conduct tests or experiments "involving the use of a chemical agent or biological agent on a civilian population" - if they are related to research activity.