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Original poster

Constantly smelling smoke

27 replies

vizlsapup · 23/10/2020 00:03

This is bugging/bothering me. About 6 months ago I noticed I could smell cigarette smoke/ash. I thought it was coming from the neighbour underneath and I was very sensitive. This disappeared and now its back again while in my bedroom with all windows closed! I googled it and it seems to be a thing to do with olfactory disturbance. It could be nasal related, or it also mentioned its a symptom of brain tumour?! This has now freaked me out, bad Dr Google. Has anyone else experienced this?

OP posts:
Madmum69420 · 23/10/2020 00:58

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MadisonMontgomery · 23/10/2020 01:05

Have you been tested for COVID antibodies? One of my colleagues has had it and lost her sense of taste and smell - she now often smells smoke when it isn’t there.

Mistressiggi · 23/10/2020 01:07

I've smelt it recently, when there was definitely no smoke. That's interesting re the Covid antibodies as I've just had a test for this, will see what comes up!

caringcarer · 23/10/2020 01:18

Last week I thought I could smell smoke.ni went into every room but could not find anything. No one else in my family could smell it. It was driving me nuts. I thought it must be on me. I showered and changed clothing. It went but later that evening it was back again. No one in our family smokes.

TheHighestSardine · 23/10/2020 01:57

We had a crack through from our neighbour's chimney lining, feeding into a builtin wardrobe on our side. Their home insurance paid out for our professional cleaning the acrid coal smoke smell off the whole lot.

Do you have neighbours to that room with a fire?

Other possibility is someone in the family is sneaking fags.

onemorecupofcoffeefortheroad · 23/10/2020 02:07

I have often smelled smoke at night usually when the window is open. This has gone on for years - my partner smells it too but there is literally no evidence of anyone smoking.

Neighbours don't smoke, we don't smoke and where once we could have blamed it on the kids they've now both left home and yet we still smell it. Complete mystery.

I wonder if it's dew or rain on certain vegetation that causes some sort of vapour that smells like cigarette smoke..

Original poster
vizlsapup · 23/10/2020 04:26

Comes back to thread with dread Grin

I live in a new build flat. The neighbour below definitely smokes so I am convinced this could be part of it, but wierd when the windows are definitely shut and it is so strong.

One thing I have noticed is that it is stronger after zinc supplements. I have been taking a B vitamin this week with some other vitamins in it but not zinc and it has been more noticeable, maybe its connected.

I'm so glad to hear other people have this too! I might ask family to see if it is a trait although I am sure DF has no sense of smell!

Interesting re. antibodies. It has been around in stronger waves since about May. Will look into this, thanks!

OP posts:
Original poster
vizlsapup · 23/10/2020 04:29

My other theory is body sweat.

OP posts:
Monty27 · 23/10/2020 05:38

I can remember having this smokey inexplicable smell every morning. I was pregnant 🤷

Acerred · 23/10/2020 05:40

We had this the other day, I got in my car and it smelt like somebody had been smoking but nobody had been in there who smokes. The next day it had gone and I haven't smelt it since.

Jamhandprints · 23/10/2020 05:42

I had this at the start of lockdown for a couple of months. I dont know if it was the neighbours butthey dont usually smoke and it was constant. But it was only with the windows open so I think it was coming from somewhere.

FreshfieldsGal · 23/10/2020 05:51

I had this a few months ago, it was very strange. Also read on Google about brain tumours but mine went eventually, I think it was due to sinus trouble. Bought a steroid nasal spray (Pirinase) and it eased off after a few days.

CatteStreet · 23/10/2020 06:08

It's almost certainly coming from your neighbour. The stuff if pervasive. It gets into walls and through the tiniest cracks. It's not something you should be having to put up with, either, really, although we are still weirdly afrad to challenge smoking and smokers so you are unlikely to get any joy from a request that they smoke outside (unless they rent and there is a no-smoking clause in the tenancy agreement).

wheresmymojo · 23/10/2020 06:48

I've been having this since March and live in a detached house and neither of us smoke!

Also interesting re: COVID.

I had an on/off sore throat around the same time but no other symptoms (I realise you don't have to have other symptoms).

I was being careful from Feb onwards though so would be surprised if I'd had it.

wheresmymojo · 23/10/2020 06:49

Mine happens in the house and when I'm out and about in other places so it's definitely 'me' and not actual smoke.

It can happen when no-one else is around and I'm outside for example and the smell is always identical.

Somewhere between smoke and a sort of oil/diesel kind of smell.

Ballsto2020 · 23/10/2020 15:34

I get this, it started after I had my son and is worse when I’m stressed, in the evening Or at bedtime. I think it’s more common than we realise as if never heard of it. If you have no other symptoms of a brain tumour I really wouldn’t worry about that, google is a nightmare. (Incidentally I had a head MRI on Friday and all fine so you can get it without a brain tumour)

Original poster
vizlsapup · 23/10/2020 19:42

This is fascinating! Phew @Ballsto2020 Flowers.

I think one of the reasons I hate it so much is that I quit smoking ten years ago and it disgusts me now! Into using a little essential oil spray as a distraction now. Will try some nasal spray too.

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wheresmymojo · 23/10/2020 19:57

I sort of came to the conclusion it wasn't anything to hugely worry about because I have zero other symptoms of anything.

But believe me if I get any weird headaches I'll be at the GP's door in ten seconds flat

Bapple · 23/10/2020 23:22

I have had this for about seven years now. At first I googled and worried about tumours but a few years on realised it was related to my anxiety ... on days when I face stressful situations I can smell smoke very strongly all evening. My family know now what my stress triggers are and if I ask if anyone else can smell smoke they usually say no but can suggest why I can.

kazza446 · 23/10/2020 23:57

My work colleague had a positive Covid diagnosis in April. Her only symptom was loss of taste and smell. It still hasn’t returned but strangely enough all she can now smell is the smell of smoke....

demolitionduo · 24/10/2020 03:03

It is a fairly common phenomenon and is called Olfactory Hallucinations.
Do you suffer with migraines at all? It is quite often associated with them, and certainly with mine. I usually get a migraine within a few hours of the smell starting.

I use peppermint oil as a distraction. Just a dab around my nostrils and on my temples quite often helps.

Original poster
vizlsapup · 24/10/2020 09:32

Cripes. Just asked my Dad and he has ot with gas, beer, fertiliser and smoke!

It's never nice things is it. What about chocolate, roses or freshly baked bread? Grin

OP posts:
Original poster
vizlsapup · 24/10/2020 09:37

I do suffer with migraine.

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newnameforthis123 · 24/10/2020 10:31

I've got epilepsy and get this as an aura before seizures - maybe it's similar with migraines? I also get a really strong petrol smell. God the amount of times I've made my partner traipse around the house looking for burning then I'm like oh shit that's right, I'm going to have a fit!

bloodywhitecat · 25/10/2020 01:36

I would speak to your GP, for me the constant smell of smoke was caused by a benign tumour in my sinus cavity.