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They make methane/natural gas detectors that you can get for your kitchen if you aren’t able to smell mercaptan (the stuff that makes it stink). They’re around 20 bucks USD and would probably be a major relief compared to always having to worry about the stove.
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Aug 16, 2020 03:50
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| # ? Apr 25, 2024 09:36 |
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I'm also a lifelong non-smeller. My earliest memory of being aware of it is from when I was 4 or so and trying to smell scratch-and-sniff stickers. I told my mom that they were "just air". My parents took me to an ENT specialist a few years later and I recall him basically shrugging and offering to remove my tonsils and adenoids to see if it would help. His offer was declined. Other than that, I've not tried for a more accurate diagnosis. I guess it's because I don't know what I'm missing, and other than it being a slightly awkward admission in social gatherings when I can't avoid it, it hasn't had a negative impact great enough to go through the trouble. I do my best with hygiene and laundry so I'm not too worried about standing out in that way. I used to put those plug-in air fresheners in my apartments because even though I couldn't smell them, I liked that other people could. It also helped any paranoia I had about unpleasant smells taking over without my knowing. As far as what I can taste, the 5 tastes, texture, and irritants do a decent job of helping me identify and enjoy what I am eating. Herbs and most spices are lost on me. I like hot spicy food, and minty desserts/drinks. I enjoy chocolate, but definitely can confuse other bittersweet flavors as chocolate. I discern 'good' liquor from 'bad' by how much it burns, and I prefer drier wines because I like the way the tannins make my mouth feel. Smoke irritates my airways and makes me cough, but I couldn't tell you if it was from a cigarette or a forest fire. If I am cooking something that has vinegar in it and put my face right in the steam, the atomized vinegar will irritate my nose and I will taste sour in my mouth. Sometimes when I bake a dessert and open the oven, the steam will taste sweet. Similarly, alcohol fumes, ammonia, etc will give irritating sensations, but I have to have my face in the bucket to pick up on them. Other than those fleeting moments of literally tasting vapor, I get nothing. Never smelled a fart or BO or dead animal in the wall ... Or a baby's head or Grandma's perfume years after she's gone or any of those other nice things I've heard people talk about. So yeah, I ignore any "you're so lucky" kinds of statements, or take them at face value based on context. Anyway, apologies for the wall of text. I don't often meet other people with anosmia, or at least like me, they don't bother talking about it.
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Aug 21, 2020 15:19
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