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Oct 19, 2021 · How to regain your sense of taste and smell after COVID-19. Powerfully aromatic and flavorful foods like ginger, peppermint and peanut butter can help you get your sense of smell and taste back. So can strongly-scented essential oils. By: Bill St. John, for UCHealth. Oct. 19, 2021.
- Overview
- Why does loss of taste and smell occur?
- How to get taste and smell back
- How long does loss of taste and smell last?
- Can people lose smell and taste permanently?
- Current research
- When to consult a doctor
- Outlook
- Summary
Medication changes, smell training, oral hygiene, and spicing up food are some tips that may help someone get their sense of taste back after covid COVID-19 and some other viruses.
Losing the ability to taste and smell is more than an inconvenience. It diminishes a person’s quality of life and exposes them to greater risk as they cannot detect smoke, gas, and other hazards.
Loss of taste and smell is a common symptom of COVID-19, occurring in 41–96% of people. It can be one of the earliest symptoms and, for some, the longest lasting. Smell and taste usually return in a few weeks but can take longer.
The article explores more causes of loss of taste and smell, how to get it back, how long it can last, and current research.
The most common causes of the loss of taste and smell are sinus and nasal diseases, viruses, and trauma to the nasal area.
Scientists believe that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that leads to COVID-19, causes the loss of smell and taste by suppressing the smell receptors in the nose that detect odors and the nerve impulses that transmit information about odors to the brain.
If a person experiences a loss of smell in this way, their taste is also usually affected. This is because the body detects the flavor of food and drink through smell and taste.
COVID-19 variants differ in how frequently they affect taste and smell. Less than 25% of people who get the Omicron variant also lose their sense of smell.
Learn more about loss of taste and smell with COVID-19.
Other viruses can cause the loss of taste and smell, including:
A person with ongoing loss of taste and smell can work with a physician or a specialist. A doctor can adjust medication if this is causing the issue.
Surgery can help restore taste and smell for individuals who have polyps. People have tried using the following medications to get taste and smell back, although there is little data that proves they are effective:
•corticosteroids
•sodium citrate
•vitamins
•zinc
If a person loses their ability to taste and smell due to respiratory infections, these senses usually return after the disease runs its course.
Many people who lose their ability to taste and smell due to COVID-19 regain it in a few weeks. However, this may take months or longer for up to 7% of people.
People have lost taste and smell permanently due to injuries, infections, and other causes.
Researchers think that smell and taste loss lasting longer than 18 months after contracting COVID-19 may be permanent, but it is too soon to know for certain.
Scientists continue looking for new information that may help people get their taste and smell back.
For example, a 2021 study found that taking a 1,000-milligram supplement of turmeric while a person had COVID-19 swiftly regained smell and taste. However, the study only involved two participants, meaning more comprehensive studies are needed to assess whether this is a causal link.
Additionally, researchers are studying the effectiveness of using a neurotrophic drug called cerebrolysin to treat people with long lasting taste and smell loss.
A 2020 pilot study suggested platelet-rich plasma (PRP) may be effective in treating smell and taste loss, especially for people with moderate yet persistent loss. Scientists are planning further clinical trials to assess optimal dosage and application.
A person should speak with a healthcare professional if they experience a sudden loss of taste or smell.
If the loss of smell and taste continues without any improvement after 3 weeks, a person should speak to a doctor about treatment options.
Most people who develop a loss of taste and smell due to COVID-19 get it back. It can take from 30 days to 6 months for these senses to return.
However, according to researchers, as many as 1 out of 20 people who lost their sense of smell due to COVID-19 may not get it back.
COVID-19 is a common cause of taste and smell loss. Other common causes include sinus and nasal diseases, viruses, and trauma to the nasal area. Medications and other health conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease and cancer, can also contribute.
A person who experiences ongoing loss of taste and smell may be able to restore these senses by using a technique called smell training. This typically involves sniffing certain scents twice per day for six months. Some lifestyle changes may also help, such as modifying diet and quitting smoking.
- Danielle Dresden
Feb 16, 2023 · It could be a sign of an underlying condition. Losing one’s sense of taste is also associated with COVID-19. Treating the underlying cause can often help get your taste buds back on track.
Apr 19, 2024 · If you lose your sense of smell (and taste), it usually comes back but you can do smell retraining therapy, take medications to treat the underlying cause, and drink lots of water to speed up the recovery.
- David Lee, MD
How can I get my sense of smell and taste back after COVID-19? Your ability to smell and taste will most likely come back on their own after a while. But if you’d like to speed things along, there are some things you can try.
- How COVID-19 affects your ability to smell and tasteHow COVID-19 changes your smell and taste remains unknown. The good news is COVID-19 doesn’t seem to affect the olfactory sensory nerves responsibl...
- When does the sense of smell come back after COVID-19?Loss of smell can be one of the most persistent symptoms of long COVID-19 . Most people get better in a few weeks, but for some people, it can take...
- When does parosmia after COVID-19 start?A distorted sense of smell typically appears two to three months after COVID-19, often when you thought you were mostly recovered. It may seem like...
- Can COVID-19 cause permanent loss of smell and taste?It’s unlikely, since COVID-19 doesn’t appear to damage olfactory nerves or taste buds directly – it only affects the cells that support your olfact...
- When does taste come back after COVID-19?The good news is that once your sense of smell is back to normal, you’ll be able to taste things the same way you did before.
Mar 15, 2024 · Getting your smell back after COVID-19 appears to cause more complaints than losing your taste. Learn how to self-treat long-COVID loss of smell.
Here’s why this common symptom occurs, how it can harm you, and what you can do to get back to normal after weeks — or even months — without flavor.
