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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Is The Reason For The Increase In Sensitivity Of Smell Particularly Towards Plastic?

Ok, I will give this a shot. When I go into my sons room the plastic cart and a few plastic bins he has in his room smell like they a rotting, It is the most awful smell I have ever smelled. But here is the catch I am the only one in the house that is smelling it. I have taken out a few other plastic things from his room and the smell went away but now it is back and the other plastic stuff is starting to smell the same way. Over the past 5 or so years my sensitivity to smell has been increasing. But this plastic thing is getting to be ridiculous and driving me crazy. My son has a lot of allergy issues and I am not sure if it is effecting him the way it is me. He says he does not smell anything. Do you have any advice?
Mon, 13 Jan 2014
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General & Family Physician,  's  Response
Hello dear,

The symptoms as mentioned in your post suggest that you might be having Dysosmia.

It can be due to:
1. Your olfactory system (deals with the sensation of smell) is appreciating an odour when it is not present in the environment.
2. Your olfactory system has become more sensitive to an odour that doesn't bother other people.

The causes of altered smell can be attributed to:
1. Some medications like metronidazole
2. Exposure to certain chemical
3. Common cold or sinus infection
4. Migraine
5. Depression, anxiety, etc.

A proper examination of the nose & throat will be helpful in clinching the diagnosis.
So, it will be better to consult an ENT specialist & get a proper physical examination done to rule out any organic lesion or any other cause in nose or throat.
So that appropriate management steps could be taken.
There is nothing to worry, you will be fine.

Wishing you a Good Health.
Take care.
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What Is The Reason For The Increase In Sensitivity Of Smell Particularly Towards Plastic?

Hello dear, The symptoms as mentioned in your post suggest that you might be having Dysosmia. It can be due to: 1. Your olfactory system (deals with the sensation of smell) is appreciating an odour when it is not present in the environment. 2. Your olfactory system has become more sensitive to an odour that doesn t bother other people. The causes of altered smell can be attributed to: 1. Some medications like metronidazole 2. Exposure to certain chemical 3. Common cold or sinus infection 4. Migraine 5. Depression, anxiety, etc. A proper examination of the nose & throat will be helpful in clinching the diagnosis. So, it will be better to consult an ENT specialist & get a proper physical examination done to rule out any organic lesion or any other cause in nose or throat. So that appropriate management steps could be taken. There is nothing to worry, you will be fine. Wishing you a Good Health. Take care.