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Real members of myRAteam have posted questions and answers that support our community guidelines, and should not be taken as medical advice. Looking for the latest medically reviewed content by doctors and experts? Visit our resource section.

Does anyone have a super sensitivity of smell as a symptom of RA?

A myRAteam Member asked a question 💭
St Louis, MO

Ever since my RA has become severe my sense of smell can make me ill. I can smell perfumeswhen someones enters a building or someone smoking outside.
When my old employer would order food for a luncheon , I could tell everyone in my lab what the menu for that day was. It could be a real problem in a closed area.

May 14, 2018
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Answer Summary

Members confirmed experiencing heightened smell sensitivity alongside their RA, with many describing an ability to detect perfumes, cigarette... Read more

Members confirmed experiencing heightened smell sensitivity alongside their RA, with many describing an ability to detect perfumes, cigarette smoke, and food odors from considerable distances, often triggering nausea, migraines, or even disease flares. Several members connected this hyperosmia to their autoimmune condition, noting that chemical sensitivities increase with RA and some have made their homes scent-free zones to manage symptoms. A recurring theme was the relief of discovering others share this isolating experience, with members describing how strong smells can make them physically ill, interfere with eating, and become especially problematic during symptom flares.

A myRAteam Member

I have found that becasue it is an auto-immune disease directly related to our immune systems, smells can really be a problem and chemical sensitivities increase. I have made my home a chemical and scent free zone and when I have friends over they have to comply. Perfumes make me extremely sick and interestingly, can flare my RA.

May 18, 2018
A myRAteam Member

Yes smells bother me as well but I think it's from my Crohns but I do notice it's comes on more now with the RA

May 15, 2018
A myRAteam Member

I agree. When my symptoms increase I'm more sensitive to my surroundings plus I eat better and use more natural products which doesn't include very perfumy stuff or cigarette smoke. I was in a small waiting room with a smoker and just smelling it on her clothes got me nauseated.

May 14, 2018
A myRAteam Member

I think mine is stronger. I hate it as it sometimes makes me queasy and feel sick. I have sometimes not been able to eat as the smell of food makes me feel sick, even food I like

February 19, 2024
A myRAteam Member

Yep! I’m super sensitive to smells now and I often gag if it’s an offensive smell. Very embarrassing

September 25, 2023

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