Phantosmia

Not to be confused with Parosmia.

Phantosmia (phantom smell), also called an olfactory hallucination or a phantom odor,[1] is smelling an odor that is not actually there. This is intrinsically suspicious as the formal evaluation and detection of relatively low levels of odour particles is itself a very tricky task in air epistemology.[further explanation needed] It can occur in one nostril or both.[2] Unpleasant phantosmia, cacosmia, is more common and is often described as smelling something that is burned, foul, spoiled, or rotten.[3] Experiencing occasional phantom smells is normal and usually goes away on its own in time.[4] When hallucinations of this type do not seem to go away or when they keep coming back, it can be very upsetting and can disrupt an individual's quality of life.[2]

Olfactory hallucinations can be caused by common medical conditions such as nasal infections, nasal polyps, or dental problems. It can result from neurological conditions such as migraines, head injuries, strokes, Parkinson's disease, seizures, or brain tumors.[4] It can also be a symptom of certain mental disorders such as depression, bipolar disorder, intoxication or withdrawal from drugs and alcohol, or psychotic disorders.[3] Environmental exposures are sometimes the cause as well, such as smoking, exposure to certain types of chemicals (e.g., insecticides or solvents), or radiation treatment for head or neck cancer.[4]

A physician can determine if the problem is with the sense of smell (olfactory system) or taste (gustatory system), or if it is caused by a neurological or psychiatric disorder. Phantosmia usually goes away on its own, though this can sometimes be gradual and occur over several years.[2] When caused by an illness (e.g., sinusitis), it should go away when the illness resolves.[4] If the problem persists or causes significant discomfort, a doctor might recommend nasal saline drops, antidepressant or anticonvulsant medications, anesthesia to parts of the nose, or in very rare circumstances, surgical procedures to remove the olfactory nerves or bulbs.[2][3]

  1. ^ "That stinks! 1 in 15 Americans smell odors that aren't there". National Institutes of Health (NIH). National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. August 16, 2018. Retrieved 23 August 2018.
    Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Institutes of Health.
  2. ^ a b c d Hong SC, Holbrook EH, Leopold DA, Hummel T (2012), "Distorted Olfactory Perception: A Systematic Review", Acta Oto-Laryngologica Supplementum, 132 (S1): S27–31, doi:10.3109/00016489.2012.659759, PMID 22582778, S2CID 207416134
  3. ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference Leopold2002a was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ a b c d HealthUnlocked (2014), "Phantosmia (Smelling Odours That Aren't There)", NHS Choices, retrieved 6 August 2016