An olfactory hallucination, known as phantosmia, makes you detect smells that aren't in your environment. The odors you notice in phantosmia are different from person to person and may be foul or pleasant. You may notice the smells in one or both nostrils.
Phantosmia, or a phantom smell, is when a person smells something that is not actually there. A person may smell burnt toast, metal, or chemicals. Nasal causes include nasal polps and sinus infections, while neurological causes include seizures and head trauma.
Phantosmia, which involves smelling phantom smells such as burnt toast, may indicate an underlying medical condition. Researchers have found links between the condition and several medical conditions, including head injuries, brain tumors, schizophrenia, upper respiratory tract infections, and sinusitis.
Smelling things that aren't there is called phantosmia. It can be unpleasant and affect how things taste. But it isn't usually serious and may go away by itself in a few weeks or months. See your GP if the strange smell doesn't go away in a few weeks.
a brain tumour in the temporal lobe could lead to sensations of strange smells (as well as other symptoms, such as, difficulty with hearing, speaking and memory loss)
Phantosmia refers to any smell you detect that isn't actually there. For some people, these odors are pleasant, like freshly baked sweets. But most people describe unpleasant smells, such as: Burning rubber.
If you're smelling burnt toast, the first thing you should probably do is check your toaster. Although lots of people think smelling something burning is a sign of a stroke, there's no solid evidence this is true. The idea of smelling phantom burning toast may be kind of amusing — but strokes are serious.
Most people with phantosmia report it as an intermittent smell of something burnt, foul or unpleasant.
Depending on if and where the seizure spreads, the patient may experience the sensation of: A peculiar smell (such as burning rubber) Strong emotions (such as fear) Abdominal/chest discomfort.
A person with kidney failure may have breath that smells like ammonia or urine. Serious liver disease can make breath smell musty or like garlic and rotten eggs. Compounds that are transported through the blood can also be released through your sweat glands. That can make your armpits and skin smell bad.
Anxiety can cause a wide variety of symptoms, including phantom smells (phantosmia or olfactory hallucinations). Many people with anxiety report smelling odd smells that other people do not smell.
Dental issues and poor oral hygiene
Cavities usually arise due to tooth decay or gingivitis, which can include inflamed gums or gum disease. These unpleasant gases, which become foul-smelling odors, can travel through small holes in the back of the mouth that connect to the sinuses and cause a bad smell in the nose.
Faulty wiring or an overheated appliance can have an odor that smells like burning plastic. If it's coming from your HVAC system, it could be from an overheated blower motor -- possibly due to heavy dust buildup or a clogged air filter.
Burning plastic is bad as it releases toxins that can cause serious damage if inhaled. Fumes from burning plastic have been linked to respiratory illnesses, reproductive issues, cancer, immune system damage and nervous system damage.
Sjogren's and phantom smells. Inherited genetic mutations that increase the chance of colorectal and certain other types of cancer, often before age 50. Sjogren's, a common autoimmune disease, is often overlooked or misdiagnosed. It reduces tears and saliva and affects the entire body, potentially damaging many organs.
Smelling smoke, or experiencing phantom smells that are not actually present, can be a symptom associated with certain types of brain tumors. These olfactory hallucinations, known as phantosmia, can occur when a tumor affects the brain regions responsible for processing smell signals.
Burning dust: In most cases, you do not need to call an expert. This smell is usually the result of accumulated dust on burners, air ducts or other furnace parts, and it should burn off quickly.
If you have phantosmia, the odors can vary from smells that almost make you sick to really pleasant scents. But most people with phantosmia tend to detect bad smells. The odors have been described as “burned," "foul," "rotten," "sewage," or "chemical." You may be smelling it from one or both of your nostrils.
When smoked, heroin emits a scent that can be described as sweet, tar-like, or even reminiscent of burning rubber. If it's “cut” or mixed with other substances, the smell might vary based on those additives.
Among adults 60 years and older, antidiabetic medications, antihyperlipidemic agents, and proton pump inhibitors are associated with 74–88% greater odds of report of phantom odor [OR=1.74 (1.09, 2.77), OR=1.85 (1.22. 2.80), and OR=1.88 (1.15, 3.07)], respectively.
Look for Other Potential Sources
The smell might stem from burning yard debris, industrial activity, or electrical issues. For instance, electrical fires can emit a plastic-like odor due to melting insulation. In these cases, alert the fire department if you cannot safely locate or address the source.