osmophobia

Osmophobia or olfactophobia refers to a fear, aversion, or psychological hypersensitivity to smells or odors. The phobia generally occurs in chronic migraine sufferers who may have odor triggered migraines. Such migraines are most frequently triggered by foul odors, but the hypersensitivity may extend to all odors. One study found as many as 25% of migraine sufferers had some degree of osmophobia.

Some migraineurs treat their migraines with some success using pleasant odors, such as mint or lavender.

See also

• Migraine
• Phobia
• Olfactory Reference Syndrome

Related links

• The place of osmophobia and taste abnormalities in migraine classification: a tertiary care study of 1237 patients. abstract
• Osmophobia and taste abnormality in migraineurs: a tertiary care study. abstract

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