What is Wrong When You Smell Burnt Toast

Smelling burnt toast -- or other strange, random odors that are not actually present -- can in fact point to a medical issue, perhaps occurring as the body's way of telling a person that something is wrong. These phantom smells, also known as olfactory hallucinations or phantosmia, can result from a wide variety of conditions, many of which affect the brain, specifically the area of the brain .

Asking what is wrong when one smells burnt toast can result in different answers. The first and most obvious reason to smell burnt toast is when this food is actually burning inside one's toaster. However, people also occasionally smell burnt toast where none exists. In these cases, smelling burnt toast is sometimes a sign of a serious medical problem, though it is also often harmless.When an individual smells something that does not truly exist, it is called a phantom smell, olfactory hallucination or phantosmia. One of the most common smells that people with this condition experience is that of burning toast, but there are many other possibilities as well. For example, these individuals might smell wet dog, rotten eggs or garbage instead.Possible causes of phantosmia include brain tumors, head trauma, epilepsy or temporal lobe seizures. The condition is also associated with Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease. People who suffer from olfactory hallucinations might experience the absent smell only occasionally or nearly constantly. Sometimes the effect is fairly mild, while in other cases it is very strong.The cause of an individual's olfactory hallucinations is not always easy to discover. In some cases, doctors cannot come up with a definitive reason for the condition. For other people, though, the cause is fairly minor and short-lived. For example, a patient who suffers from a sinus infection might smell burnt toast only until the infection disappears.Common treatments for olfactory hallucinations include antidepressants, nasal drops, sedatives and anti-epileptic drugs. In severe cases, surgery is an option. It is also possible for the symptoms to go away on their own without any treatment. However, anyone who smells burnt toast or any other odor that is not actually present should always consult with a doctor to make sure that this symptom is not a sign of a more serious condition. An ear, nose and throat specialist can examine the patient and try to make a diagnosis.