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Earthy, wet smell in nose - sinus fungal infection?

Posted , 3 users are following.

Cheetah
Cheetah

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?  

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • miriam65408
    miriam65408 Cheetah

    Posted

    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!

     

    • Cheetah
      Cheetah miriam65408

      Posted

      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.  

  • brenda96406
    brenda96406 Cheetah

    Posted

    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. 
  • miriam65408
    miriam65408 Cheetah

    Posted

    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.

    • Cheetah
      Cheetah miriam65408

      Posted

      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!

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