Burning smell/taste in nose & throat. Phantosmia?

[CristinaYangsBrain]

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

@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.

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.