Medically reviewed\u00a0by\u00a0Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP\u00a0\u2014\u00a0By\u00a0Danielle Dresden\u00a0\u2014\u00a0February 16, 2023<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Losing taste and smell is a symptom of COVID-19 and some other viruses. Medication changes, smell training, oral hygiene, and spicing up food are some tips that may help. Smell and taste usually return in a few weeks but can take longer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Losing the ability to taste and smell is more than an inconvenience. It diminishes a person\u2019s quality of life and exposes them to greater risk as they cannot detect smoke, gas, and other hazards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Loss of taste and smell is a common symptom of COVID-19, occurring in\u00a041\u201396%\u00a0of people. It can be one of the earliest symptoms and, for some, the longest lasting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The article explores more causes of loss of taste and smell, how to get it back, how long it can last, and current research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The most commonTrusted Source<\/a> causes of the loss of taste<\/a> and smell<\/a> are sinus and nasal diseases, viruses<\/a>, and trauma to the nasal area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Scientists believe that SARS-CoV-2, the virus that leads to\u00a0COVID-19<\/a>, 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If a person experiences a loss of smell in this way, their taste is also\u00a0affected. This is because the body detects the flavor of food and drink through smell and taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n COVID-19 variants differ in how frequently they affect taste and smell. Less than\u00a0of people who get the Omicron variant also lose their sense of smell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Other viruses can cause the loss of taste and smell:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additional factors that cause the loss of taste and smell:<\/p>\n\n\n\n A person with ongoing loss of taste and smell can work with a physician or a specialist. A doctor can\u00a0adjust\u00a0medication if this is causing the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Surgery can help restore taste and smell for individuals who have polyps. People have tried using the following\u00a0medications\u00a0to get taste and smell back, although there is little data that proves they are effective:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Below are some other ways a person may be able to bring back their sense of smell and taste.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Olfactory <\/a>training, also known as smell training, involves smelling four different scents daily to help restore a person\u2019s sense of smell.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Unlike many other systems in the body, the olfactory system \u2014 the sensory system used for smelling \u2014 can adapt and regenerate. Exposure to odors through smell training helps enhance this process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It may be most effective for people who have lost their sense of smell due to infection. One\u00a02016 study involving more than 100 people found that 71% of those with postinfectious olfactory dysfunction improved with olfactory training over 1 year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A person can try smell training at home by following these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Smell training typically takes about 6 months. People can use commonly available ingredients to stimulate their smell, such as ground coffee, black pepper, or fresh herbs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They can soak cotton pads with odor solutions and place them in small jars for repeated use. Changing to a different set of smell samples every few months may also be beneficial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The smell loss charity AbScent<\/a> in the United Kingdom offers more information about the smell training technique.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adopting healthy practices can also help a person get their taste and smell back. These include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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How to get taste and smell back<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Smell training<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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General tips<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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How long does loss of taste and smell last?<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n