There have been quite a few posts on the Thyroid UK forum on HealthUnlocked over the years about phantosmia - getting the sensation of a smell when it doesn't really exist. All too often, the reported smell is some sort of burning, maybe like an overheating electricity plug/socket, often tobacco, sometimes petrol, but can be anything.
There is such a variety of smells and the words used to describe them, and even the sensory words "smell", "odour", "reek", a simple search simply doesn't find that many posts. Which is why I created this blog to help find relevant posts.
From personal experience, I used to be convinced I could smell someone smoking in circumstances where it was impossible!
Fifth Sense is a UK organisation which offers specific support:
Based in the UK, we support people affected by smell and taste disorders across the world and are the first charity providing direct support, advice and a signpost to potential diagnosis and treatment to people affected by such conditions.
https://www.fifthsense.org.uk/
Here are a few previous posts - but there will be others. I try to keep adding when new posts on the subject are posted. You will find many cross-references between posts.
I am sooo confused I feel I am abnormal
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/131860241/i-am-sooo-confused-i-feel-i-am-abnormal
For the last three days all I can smell is petrol when I'm no where near any no matter what I do does anyone know
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/131606025/for-the-last-three-days-all-i-can-smell-is-petrol-when-im-no-where-near-any-no-matter-what-i-do-does-anyone-know
An odd question I know but has anyone else experienced smelling cigarette smoke when none is present?
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/131086350/an-odd-question-i-know-but-has-anyone-else-experienced-smelling-cigarette-smoke-when-none-is-present
Hi has anyone else experienced an awful smell of ammonia in nose after walking exc and then feel as if you have run a marathon ? I
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/private/130926683/hi-has-anyone-else-experienced-an-awful-smell-of-ammonia-in-nose-after-walking-exc-and-then-feel-as-if-you-have-run-a-marathon-i
Woken by strong sweet cloying smell but no one else can smell it
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/130697766/woken-by-strong-sweet-cloying-smell-but-no-one-else-can-smell-it
All I can smell is petrol!
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/130133190/all-i-can-smell-is-petrol
Horrible burning wood smell in my nose
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/138483057/horrible-burning-wood-smell-in-my-nose
I can smell lavender when not wearing or being near it, should I worry
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/135518560/i-can-smell-lavender-when-not-wearing-or-being-near-it-should-i-worry
Getting the smell of petrol Everytime I breath
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/136297534/getting-the-smell-of-petrol-everytime-i-breath
Is it my thyroid?
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/137696457/is-it-my-thyroid
Confused
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/135682218/confused
Burning smell, heel pain & weight loss
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/private/143608818/burning-smell-heel-pain-weight-loss
Smelling Smoke
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/135223606/smelling-smoke
I stink
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/140409659/i-stink
Prednisolone, levothyroxine and taking it with food
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/142739887/prednisolone-levothyroxine-and-taking-it-with-food
THYROID AND MENOPAUSE TOGETHER.
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/679515/thyroid-and-menopause-together.
Phantom smells
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/144726161/phantom-smells
Phantom smells...?
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/private/146592645/phantom-smells
I keep smelling burning paper.
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/146707369/i-keep-smelling-burning-paper.
Phantom tastes and mouth problems
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/private/147334249/phantom-tastes-and-mouth-problems
Can anybody shed some light on phantosmia and relation to hypothyroidism
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/148041878/can-anybody-shed-some-light-on-phantosmia-and-relation-to-hypothyroidism
I’m new to this wonderful group and seeking some answers! Could Levothyroxine leave you with taste and smell issues?
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/148288882/i%E2%80%99m-new-to-this-wonderful-group-and-seeking-some-answers-could-levothyroxine-leave-you-with-taste-and-smell-issues
Phantom cigarette smoke
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/148725432/phantom-cigarette-smoke
Ammonia smell in my nose.
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/149080947/ammonia-smell-in-my-nose.
Been smelling smoke for a week after bonfire.
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/149795418/been-smelling-smoke-for-a-week-after-bonfire.
Saw a post on here talking about imaginary smells some time ago. Off course can’t find it now.
Phantom Smells
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/150650593/phantom-smells
strange smells with sinusitis/ nasal drip..?
Hands smell of petrol.
https://healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk/posts/151711095/hands-smell-of-petrol.
Further information
The following link searches EuropePMC for papers which mention "phantosmia" - and should find several hundred papers:
https://europepmc.org/search?query=phantosmia
If you wish to link to this page on HealthUnlocked, copy the entire dark red text below and paste into a post or reply.
[i][b]helvella - Phantosmia or Phantom smells[/b]
This blog has links to many previous posts on this subject - but there will be others. I try to keep adding when new posts on the subject are posted. You will find many cross-references between posts.
Last updated 26/02/2025[/i]
https://helvella.blogspot.com/p/helvella-phantosmia-or-phantom-smells.html
If you find anything incorrect, misleading, typos, links that don’t work, etc., please let me know. Go to my profile and use the contact details there.
