Over the past few years I have had episodes of a horrible smell in my nose, plus headaches. I'm pretty sure it's a problem with my sinuses. The smell is earthy and wet - most unpleasant. I've got it again and it's making me feel unwell. Can you have a fungal infection in the sinuses? Anyone else had something similar? What worked for you, or would it be better to see the doc?
I had episodes of weird smells a couple of years ago - first it was like cigarette smoke (when there was none around me), then like old exhaust fumes (again, nothing). I put up with it for about 3 weeks then saw the doc as someone mentioned a burning rubber smell might be signs of a brain tumour (it was on East Enders apparently!!).
The doc was very reassuring, examined me and gave me a sprayer thing with a mile steroid in it. Just saying this so you know it happens!
I would say you'd be much better to go to the doctor and have it checked out (maybe they can do a swab or something). You can get reassurance from these forums but someone would actually need to see it to be sure.
Good luck!
Thank you Miriam. I spoke to a pharmacist this morning and he said to see the gp, as I would probably need a steroid spray, which he couldn't give me without a prescription. So I'll ring the GP on Monday. Did you find it worked? I don't think it's anything serious, as I've had the same thing quite a few times before, the first time about 3 years ago. I seem to remember seeing the nurse practitioner the first time it occurred and she gave me antibiotics, but they didn't make any difference, so, hopefully, a spray will work better.
Thanks for your reply.
Yes I had that for 2 years, now I have completely lost sense of smell. I have NTM abscessus and staph aureus in my sinuses. Have not cultured fungus.
I can't say for sure whether it helped or not but I used two bottles of the spray and then noticed 'the smells' left me a couple of weeks later. I never went back to the docs about it. It may be completely different to you anyway as it wasn't a mould-type smell at all.
Just an update. I saw the doctor who diagnosed a sinus infection and prescribed a steroid spray. She examined inside my nose and said it was very red at the top - something I'd been unaware of. So, I'm pleased I saw her and will know what to do next time. Hopefully, next time will be a long time coming!