Sinusitis, mouth infections, and certain foods, drinks, and lifestyle habits are usually behind bad smells in the nose. People can usually get rid of bad smells in the nose by using home remedies, trying OTC medications, and making lifestyle changes.
If you notice phantom smells, talk to your doctor about it. They may do a thorough physical exam and ask about your medical history to make sure you don't have another underlying cause, like a brain tumor. Doctors may also have to rule out another similar smell disorder called parosmia.
An infected sinus releases mucus that has a foul odor. The mucus drains to the back of your throat, resulting in bad breath. Also, when you have a sinus infection, there may be bacteria trapped in the nasal cavities, which produces an unpleasant smell.
Phantosmia is when a person smells something that is not actually there. The smells vary between individuals but are usually unpleasant, such as burnt toast, metallic, or chemical smells. Possible causes range from nasal polyps to a stroke. Phantosmia is also called a phantom smell or an olfactory hallucination.
When a cancer starts specifically in the nerves that affect your sense of smell, it is known as olfactory neuroblastoma.
The smell is caused by discharge that drains through the nose and down the back of the throat. Most cases of sinusitis last between three and eight weeks; infections that persist longer than 12 weeks are referred to as chronic sinusitis.
When bacteria breaks down, it can release gases, which smells like sulfur. The four-smelling odor from the gases can travel through the small holes at the back of the mouth that connect to the sinuses and make their way into your nose.
During a viral illness, the nerve receptors in your nose can be damaged and change your perception of smell. It's believed this same phenomenon occurs during COVID-19 infection.
Phantosmia is the medical word used by doctors when a person smells something that is not actually there. Phantosmia is also called a phantom smell or an olfactory hallucination. The smells vary from person to person but are usually unpleasant, such as burnt toast, metallic, or chemical smells.
A study that evaluated the ortho- and retronasal olfactory functions in MS patients found that 75% of the 16 investigated patients showed a quantitative olfactory disorder, 6.25% reported parosmia, and 18.75% reported phantosmia (29).
More than 10% (n = 112) of people who had lost consciousness from a head injury reported phantom odors compared with 5.7% (n = 422) of those without a history of head injury.
Chronic sinusitis symptoms
Chronic sinusitis is a persistent condition, with symptoms that include: Nasal obstruction that blocks airflow in one or both of your nostrils. Thick and/or foul-smelling or tasting nasal discharge or postnasal drip.
You might have symptoms, such as face pain and fever. You might have yellow or greenish discharge from your nose. Your healthcare provider might or might not use an antibiotic to help treat you. Other treatments may help make you feel better.
Moldy or Fungus Smell
Sometimes microbial buildups, growths, or infections in the sinuses contribute to breath that smells like mold or fungus. Sinus infections often causes thick, yellowish-green mucus to drip from the nose or sinuses to the back of the throat.
Symptoms of nasal polyps include a rotten smell in your nose or a dramatically decreased sense of smell and taste. Nasal polyps tend to be very small, so you may not even know you have them. They may not affect your breathing.
Overview. Allergic fungal sinusitis (AFS) is a common type of fungal infection in the sinuses. The infecting fungi are found in the environment and cause an allergic reaction which results in thick fungal debris, sticky mucus and blockage of the infected sinus.
A grapelike odor is often of diagnostic importance in detecting the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in culture and in burn wounds.
Short-term relief can be achieved by washing the nasal passages with a saline solution. This temporarily prevents smell signals traveling to the brain, although it needs to be frequently repeated. There are many types of nasal spray and drops to ease your symptoms.
A bad odor coming from an exhale through the nose is a sign of something systemic, which affects the body as a whole and can indicate an underlying medical condition such as liver disease or diabetes.
Sinusitis is swelling of the sinuses, usually caused by an infection. It's common and usually clears up on its own within 2 to 3 weeks. But medicines can help if it's taking a long time to go away.
Yes, anxiety and the stress it causes can cause many odd symptoms, including phantom and odd smells. Many anxious people get phantom and odd smells symptoms.
Parosmia is a change in your sense of smell. Many people experience parosmia as perceiving a previously pleasant scent as suddenly foul or unbearable. It typically develops after you've had an infection, head trauma, chemical exposure, or other health condition.
A metallic taste in your mouth is often related to your sense of smell or taste buds. Sinus infections, gingivitis, and oral injuries are some common causes. Sometimes the cause can be more serious, including diabetes, dementia, or kidney failure.