Weird Smell After COVID Explained; How To Recover From Parosmia?

(Photo: Pexels/Ion Ceban @ionelceban)
Weird Smell After COVID Explained; How to Recover From Parosmia?

Some people affected by COVID-19 reported a change in their sense of smell and taste. The good thing is that this condition may go away naturally.

Weird Smell After COVID

Parosmia affects some COVID patients, and their experience is well-documented. The condition alters the smell of everyday meals and household objects, and those who suffer from this qualitative olfactory disorder notice it during their recovery.

The experience can range from slightly altered to extremely repulsive smell, which may result in a significantly changed connection with food, accompanied by more general problems like anhedonia, emotional separation from others in their immediate social circles, withdrawal from social situations, and physical symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and appetite loss. There isn't currently a recognized treatment or cure for the illness.

One study claimed that seven percent of people lost their sense of taste and smell during COVID-19.

It's unclear how COVID-19 alters the taste and scent. Fortunately, it doesn't affect the olfactory sense nerves responsible for the sense of smell and taste.

Rather, the coronavirus appears to impact the olfactory nerve's surrounding supporting cells. A malfunction in these support cells can prevent messages from the olfactory nerve from reaching your brain, leading to changes in or loss of your sense of smell.

Loss of smell frequently results in loss of taste because our sense of smell accounts for 80% of our taste. We can only taste the basic flavors of sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and savory without using our sense of smell.

The good thing about parosmia is that it gets better with time. Individuals after COVID-19 infection notice a change in their sense of smell three to four months later. Eighteen months after infection, 65 percent can taste and smell again. Within two years, 80 to 90 percent of people regain their senses.

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How to Manage Parosmia

While your sense of smell and taste will naturally return, it might take time. There are some things you can do to help yourself regain your senses. Check out some tips below.

Clear Up Sinus Inflammation

If your altered sense of smell persists longer than the other COVID-19 symptoms, nasal irritation may be the reason. You can utilize nasal sprays or saline rinses with a neti pot.

Saline Rinses with a neti pot

Mix warm distilled water with a tiny amount of specific salt for this therapy. Once combined, you administer the mixture through your nasal passages.

You can remove any mucus or debris contributing to your inflammation by thoroughly cleaning your nasal cavities. Neti pots are available online or at your neighborhood pharmacy next to allergy remedies for specific seasons.

Nasal sprays to reduce inflammation

An over-the-counter nasal steroid spray such as Nasacort or Flonase could be a viable alternative to relieve sinus inflammation. These sprays are normally harmless and immediately start functioning, especially if you use them briefly.

Certain individuals ought not to use nasal sprays. Therefore, it's a good idea to consult your doctor if one is a good treatment for you before picking one up.

Retraining your sense of smell

The brain may have "forgotten" how to smell, another possibility. As a result, your sense of smell could be altered or absent entirely. Although having a forgetful brain may seem worrisome, remember that your brain is always learning new things.

Smell therapy is a valuable tool that entails sniffing various potent fragrances for a minimum of 20 seconds while reflecting on memories and events associated with the scent. Due to their robust and recognizable scents, it is typically advised to use essential oils like rose, lemon, clove, and eucalyptus.