Phantosmia, also called an olfactory hallucination, is a condition in which a person smells odours that are not actually present, such as smoke, burning, chemicals or rotten smells. It can come from the nose, from the nerves that carry smell to the brain, or from the brain itself, and in most people it is not dangerous. This page explains the causes and symptoms of phantosmia, when to see a doctor, how it is diagnosed, the treatment and smell-training options, and how homeopathic care is offered at Welling Homeopathy in Mumbai and online.
Wondering which medicine is right for your phantosmia?
Every person with phantosmia is different, and so is the medicine that works best for them. To discover the best-suited homeopathic medicines for phantosmia for you, consult our experts. They will study your symptoms, your past treatment history and your personality, and then find the homeopathy medicines that suit you best.
Call +91 8080 850 950 for a 1:1 personal consultation with our experts today.
Phantosmia at a glance
- What it is: smelling odours that are not there, often unpleasant (burnt, chemical, rotten), in one or both nostrils.
- Common causes: sinus or nasal problems, a viral infection including COVID-19, head injury, migraine and, less often, seizures or other brain conditions.
- Not the same as: parosmia, in which real smells are distorted.
- Care: treat the cause, saline rinses, smell training and, rarely, medicines or surgery.
- See a doctor if: it persists for weeks, or comes with seizures, headache, weakness or confusion.
What is phantosmia?
Phantosmia is the perception of smells that are not present in your environment. These phantom smells may be pleasant or unpleasant, are most often unpleasant, and can significantly affect a person’s quality of life, appetite and mood. Some people notice them in only one nostril, some in both, and some only at certain times of day.
It is different from parosmia, in which real odours smell wrong (for example, coffee smells like burning), which is common after COVID-19. Phantosmia often fades by itself, especially after a cold or sinus infection, but in a few people it persists or points to another condition.
Symptoms of phantosmia
The main symptom is a smell that is not there. Other symptoms vary with the underlying cause:
- A burning, smoky, chemical, metallic, sweet or rotten smell with no source
- Smell that lasts seconds, comes and goes, or persists
- Nasal congestion or discomfort when the cause is in the nose or sinuses
- Altered taste, because taste and smell are closely linked
- Reduced ability to smell real odours
- Anxiety, distress or loss of appetite from living with persistent unpleasant smells
- Headaches, seizures or other neurological symptoms when the cause is in the brain
Phantosmia, parosmia, anosmia and hyposmia: what is the difference?
Smell disorders have different names.
| Term | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Phantosmia | Smelling something that is not there | Smelling smoke in a room with no smoke |
| Parosmia | Real smells are distorted | Coffee smells like burnt rubber |
| Hyposmia | Reduced sense of smell | Flowers smell faint |
| Anosmia | Loss of the sense of smell | No smell at all |
| Cacosmia | Unpleasant smells, either phantom or distorted | General term for bad smells |
Causes and risk factors of phantosmia
Phantosmia can come from different parts of the smell pathway. Possible causes include:
- Nose and sinus problems: sinusitis, nasal polyps, allergies and infections
- Viral infections, including colds, influenza and COVID-19, which can damage the smell nerves
- Head injury, which can injure the smell nerve endings or brain areas
- Migraine, in which smells can be an aura or a trigger
- Seizures, particularly temporal lobe epilepsy, which can cause brief phantom smells (an aura)
- Neurological disease such as Parkinson’s disease, and, rarely, brain tumours
- Dental or throat infections, acid reflux and smoking
- Certain medicines, chemotherapy or radiation near the head
- Depression, anxiety, schizophrenia and other mental health conditions in some people
How phantosmia is diagnosed
A doctor will ask about the character, duration and triggers of the smell, then examine the nose and nervous system. Tests may include:
- Nasal endoscopy, to look for polyps, infection or a source in the nose
- A smell test, to measure how well you detect real smells
- MRI or CT scan of the head and sinuses, when needed
- EEG, if seizures are suspected
- Blood tests and a review of your medicines
Conventional treatment options
Treatment aims to address the underlying cause if it can be identified. Options include:
- Nasal saline rinses, to relieve congestion or irritation
- Treatment of sinus infection, allergy or nasal polyps, including surgery where polyps or structural problems are the cause
- Olfactory training: sniffing four strong scents such as rose, lemon, clove and eucalyptus twice daily for several months, to help retrain the smell pathway
- Anti-seizure or migraine medicines if these conditions are the cause
- Cognitive behavioural therapy, for people in whom phantosmia is linked with psychiatric conditions
- Specialist procedures in rare, severe cases, as advised by an ENT surgeon
Homeopathic medicines commonly considered for phantosmia
These medicines are commonly considered in homeopathy for phantosmia, with the symptom picture traditionally associated with each. They are listed for general information, not as a prescription.
Pulsatilla: traditionally used for smell disturbances with thick, bland nasal discharge and loss of smell, in mild, changeable, weepy people.
Sulphur: traditionally used when imagined or real bad smells accompany chronic nasal catarrh, with heat and itching.
Kali bichromicum: traditionally used for thick, stringy discharge, sinus pressure and smell disturbances with chronic catarrh.
Phosphorus: traditionally used for heightened or altered smell in sensitive people who bleed easily from the nose.
Silicea: traditionally used for chronic sinus problems and phantom smells in chilly, delicate people.
Aurum metallicum: traditionally included in lists for foul smells in the nose and bone-related sinus disease, usually with a marked low mood.
The right medicine is chosen only after detailed case-taking by an experienced doctor.
Homeopathic treatment of phantosmia at Welling Homeopathy
Phantosmia is a complex and often disruptive condition. At Welling Homeopathy, we look for the pattern behind it: your nasal and sinus history, migraine or seizures, head injury, viral illness, mood and sleep, and your constitution. The homeopathic medicine is then chosen for you and not for the smell alone.
Homeopathy is offered alongside, not in place of, a proper ENT and neurological assessment. A smell that is persistent, one-sided, or accompanied by headaches, seizures or other neurological symptoms should be examined first.
Our clinical experience with this condition
Our specially formulated Homeopathy treatment for Phantosmia can help you get cured permanently of Phantosmia.
Homeopathy is offered here as individualised, supportive care alongside a medical assessment. Please do not stop or change any prescribed medicine on your own.
Dr. Sourabh Welling and the Welling Homeopathy team have over 25 years of experience treating patients, in our Mumbai clinics and online. The earlier you meet our specialists, the sooner your treatment can be planned around you.
Consult a Welling specialist for your phantosmia
Do not delay: share your symptoms and reports, and our specialists will plan your personal homeopathic treatment, in person at our Mumbai clinics or online from anywhere.
Self-care and lifestyle tips
These measures support general health and may ease symptoms, but they do not replace treatment when it is needed.
- Use saline nasal rinses or sprays as advised, especially if you have congestion or allergies
- Practise olfactory training twice daily with four strong scents for at least three months
- Maintain good nasal and dental hygiene to prevent infections
- Use a humidifier to keep the nasal passages moist
- Avoid irritants such as smoke, strong perfumes and chemicals
- Stop smoking, and manage acid reflux if you have it
- Keep a diary of when the smells occur, what you were doing and any other symptoms, to show your doctor
- Look after sleep and stress, which can make symptoms more noticeable
When to see a doctor urgently
Phantosmia is usually harmless, but see a doctor promptly if you have:
- Phantom smells that last for more than a few weeks, or keep coming back
- Seizures, loss of awareness, or brief episodes of staring or confusion
- Severe or new headaches, or a change in vision, speech or strength
- Phantom smells in one nostril only, with nosebleeds or a blocked nose on that side
- Head injury before the smell began
- Depression, hallucinations in other senses, or thoughts of self-harm
Phantosmia treatment in Mumbai at Welling Homeopathy
Phantosmia can be assessed and treated at the Welling Homeopathy clinics in Andheri East, Matunga and Thane West, and online for patients in other cities and countries. Bring any scans, blood tests or reports you already have, along with a list of the medicines you currently take, so the doctor can plan your care around your full history.
To book, use our contact page or call +91 8080 850 950.
Frequently asked questions about phantosmia
1. What is phantosmia?
Phantosmia is smelling something that is not there, such as smoke or chemicals. It is also called an olfactory hallucination.
2. What causes phantom smells?
Common causes are sinus and nasal problems, viral infections including COVID-19, head injury and migraine. Less often, seizures, Parkinson’s disease or a brain tumour are involved.
3. Is phantosmia serious?
Usually not, and it often fades. But it can be a sign of a neurological problem, so persistent or worsening phantosmia should be assessed by a doctor.
4. What is the difference between phantosmia and parosmia?
In phantosmia you smell something that is not there. In parosmia, real smells are distorted and smell wrong.
5. Can COVID-19 cause phantosmia?
Yes. Phantosmia and parosmia are well-known after COVID-19 and other viral infections, and many people recover over months.
6. How is phantosmia treated?
By treating the cause, saline rinses, olfactory training, and, where needed, medicines for migraine or seizures or surgery for nasal polyps. Counselling can help when distress is high.
7. Which is the best homeopathic medicine for phantosmia?
Pulsatilla, Sulphur, Kali bichromicum, Phosphorus and Silicea are among the medicines traditionally used. The right one depends on your history and constitution, so it is chosen after a consultation.
8. Can homeopathy help phantosmia?
Welling Homeopathy offers individualised treatment for phantosmia, as described in our clinical experience above. A proper medical assessment to find the cause should come first, and results vary from person to person.
9. How long does phantosmia last?
Post-viral phantosmia often fades over weeks to months. Phantosmia from other causes lasts as long as the cause is present.
10. Can phantosmia be a sign of a brain tumour?
Rarely. Persistent, one-sided phantom smells, especially with headaches, seizures or neurological changes, should be checked with an MRI.
11. Where can I get phantosmia treatment in Mumbai?
Welling Homeopathy sees patients in Andheri East, Matunga and Thane West and online, alongside your ENT specialist or neurologist.
Related Reading
- 10 Best Homeopathic Medicines for Treatment of Stuffy and Blocked Nose
- Homeopathy Treatment of Sinusitis
- Homeopathy Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)
- Treatment For Migraine
- Homeopathy Treatment For Epilepsy
- Homeopathy Treatment of Parkinson’s Disease
To consult Welling Homeopathy experts, call +91 80 80 850 950.
Disclaimer: this page is for information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Results vary from person to person.
