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General health

Burning smell/taste in nose & throat. Phantosmia?

6 replies

CristinaYangsBrain · 29/11/2020 19:12

For about a year on & off I have had a vile burning smell in my nose and occasionally taste it at the back of my throat if that makes sense. It's not all the time, will last for 3-21 days or so and then I won't experience it for a month or two.

It makes me feel physically sick. When it's bad I can't eat because everything just tastes like burnt hair or plastic or cigarette smoke. I don't smoke and never have.

I don't have allergies or a sinus infection. I wasn't ill when it started either. It just seemed to come out of nowhere. I have read that it could be related to dental problems and I have had toothache/gum pain occasionally.

I've booked a dental checkup but it's quite a while away. I'm just wondering if I should see a doctor at this point too? I read that you can have a numbing spray that helps. I'm just desperate for some sort of relief.

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CharlotteRose90 · 30/11/2020 16:33

Have you had any head injuries recently or head trauma? Sounds like an episode of Olfactory hallucinations to me. Have a look and see if it matches any more symptoms.

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CristinaYangsBrain · 30/11/2020 19:58

Yes, that's what phantosmia is. I have no history of head trauma, no sinus infections, no migraines etc. Possibly it could be dental related which is why I booked an appointment.

I just really need some relief from it and I don't know if my GP can do anything to help.

I want to know if anyone else has found anything that works, like the numbing spray. Is that effective? I can get a few minutes free of it if I chew extra strong peppermint gum or brush my teeth but it is literally a couple of minutes.

I've barely slept the past few days, I barely eat because the smell of smoke is overwhelming and I feel so nauseated.

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alexdgr8 · 30/11/2020 20:01

try some different mouthwashes.
you need to see/ speak to a doctor, and see a dentist.
good luck.

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bloodywhitecat · 30/11/2020 20:19

I had this as a result of a tumour (benign) in my sinus, it was about the only symptom apart from the odd gush of clear fluid from my nostril every so often.

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CristinaYangsBrain · 30/11/2020 21:17

@bloodywhitecat was the smell constant for you?

I read that if it were a brain issue (tumor, seizures etc.) then the smell passes after a few minutes but a tumor or other damage to the olfactory nerves typically lasts hours but does pass. Mine is literally 24/7 for days/weeks and then I get a 3-6 weeks respite with perhaps a few random moments where I get a faint whiff of it but they pass very quickly.

I am wondering if it is damage to my nose somehow.

I can't remember if I had a cold around the time it originally started. I don't think so but if I did it was probably mild.

I have a dentist appt booked but it's not until January. I think I will make a GP appt tomorrow.

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CharlotteRose90 · 30/11/2020 21:31

Fingers crossed they can help. I used to get it when I had nasel polyps and it’s an awful smell. Only minty things like chewing gum helped me. Hopefully the dentist can help find the cause.

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