Smelling smoke that isn't there

[Northsea]

For the past week or so I've been smelling an ashy, smoky smell. At first I thought it was someone smoking outside the house. Then I've noticed it increasingly when I'm driving, swimming and I know there isn't any smoke. It's quite a specific smell and it captures me unaware, coming in drifts. Has anyone had this and did it just go away?

Do you get migraines?

I get this. It usually marks the beginning of a migraine, but sometimes lingers for several days before the headache starts.

Pregnant

I get this occasionally. I also get occasional migraines. This thread is making me wonder if they are connected.

No, I've never had migraines. I seem to be smelling it increasingly. It's a bit strange when there is no smoke but it smells so distinct I don't think I'm imagining it either.

Not pregnant. I've googled it which offered up with a few possiblities such as pregnancy or something more sinister in the brain area. Apparently some people experience harmless phantom smells... I just wondered if anyone has any advice...

I had this earlier in the year and it preceded the worst sinus/chest infection I’ve ever had.

Yes I also get this, it’s quite random and happened today for the first time in months. It was overpowering today for about 10 minutes then disappeared suddenly. No idea what it’s all about.

Mine was coils going in car, smell was on clothing... New car smell went.

I second the cold/sinus infection connection. Went to the Dr with the same last year and he said either bad cold, migraine or mental health issues. I got a terrible cold and chest infection within days.

I get phantom smells pretty often, I also get migraines but not at the same time so I’ve never connected the two, I generally put it down to sinus trouble but not sure maybe it is migraine related. Sometimes it’s smoke and often it’s like a really artificial citrus smell like lemon washing up liquid 😷

There's another thread on here called Phantom Smells, so yes it does happen to other people. I had it badly a few years ago, also actual smells lingered in my nostrils far longer than normal. But at one point the unpleasant smells were really annoying and took to rinse my nostrils with a saline solution. Also at the same time my sense of smell diminished or was distorted. Slightly better now after quite a few years and most importantly the bad smells have gone.

I did have a cold prior to the smell starting and was blowing my nose to the point it became a bit sore inside. Perhaps it's a sinus infection or something then. I've never had this strange phantom smell before and it's strong and annoying. I'll give my nostrils a rinse then and take it from there. Thanks for the advice.

I get ofactory hallusinations with migraines.

Either burned toast, cigars or almond marzipan type smell.

I have this today. I wouldn't mind if it was a nice smell. It's more like something died in my lungs.

Yes I have this - Phantosmia. Also have had migraines for decades but not connected. I started smelling smoke and although this now comes and goes, my sense of smell and taste generally isn’t very good now. This coincided with the onset of phantosmia. My doctor didn’t seem unduly worried though. It’s just annoying.

I think (unscientifically) that it is our own scent that has changed under stress and our brain somehow translates this into a smell of smoke or something nasty as a warning sign.

OMG how weird! I had this twice yesterday, smelt of burning wax! I was in the gym though so not even a remote possibility that it was an actual smell. Nothing today so far. X