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What Causes Headache And Odd Smell From Air Conditioning?

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Posted on Wed, 3 Dec 2014
Question: for the past 6 weeks or so every time the air conditioning turns on and it can be in my house in the car in the office, I can "smell" it. It is not a foul or a funk odor and its hard to describe what it smells like. Its almost a pleasant smell but not really sweet or pungy. Its just different and NOBODY else smells it.

I have suffered from migraines most of my life and recently this week I had 2 that were difficult to get rid of. BUT the strange "air condition" odor I have had for about 4 weeks now

i don't get the headaches when i "smell" the air. Just sharing whats going on recently. Again, "odor" is almost pleasant.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Suspecting a sinus abnormality

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Let me start by informing you that the most common cause for a weird smell that comes from the nose, which is the reason why no one else can smell it is because of an abnormality of the sinus cavities.

The sinus cavities are very sensitive to air conditioning, and although in most cases individuals present with a different symptom due to temperature changes brought about by air conditioning, your case is quite different but not uncommon.

The smell that you experience once the air conditioning is turned on is a reaction your sinuses are having to the air conditioning. I would recommend a CT scan of your head and sinus cavities which should be able to pick up the cause for your presentation sir.

Do not worry, I can understand you must be feeling some anxiety due to the presentation and its nature as it is uncommon to experience, but believe me this is not anything to be worried about.

I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you.

Best wishes.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Shoaib Khan

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 9409 Questions

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What Causes Headache And Odd Smell From Air Conditioning?

Brief Answer: Suspecting a sinus abnormality Detailed Answer: Hello sir and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. I have gone through your query with diligence and would like you to know that I am here to help. Let me start by informing you that the most common cause for a weird smell that comes from the nose, which is the reason why no one else can smell it is because of an abnormality of the sinus cavities. The sinus cavities are very sensitive to air conditioning, and although in most cases individuals present with a different symptom due to temperature changes brought about by air conditioning, your case is quite different but not uncommon. The smell that you experience once the air conditioning is turned on is a reaction your sinuses are having to the air conditioning. I would recommend a CT scan of your head and sinus cavities which should be able to pick up the cause for your presentation sir. Do not worry, I can understand you must be feeling some anxiety due to the presentation and its nature as it is uncommon to experience, but believe me this is not anything to be worried about. I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you. Best wishes.