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With millions of people across the world contracting and recovering from COVID-19, one common accompanying symptom is the loss of taste and smell that may last anywhere from a couple of days to a prolonged period of time. A lack of smell and taste not only keeps you from enjoying your favorite foods and fragrances but can also be described as a disorienting experience that can alter several aspects of your day-to-day life. Moreover, having a lack of smell and taste in a world so dependent on our five senses can have dangerous consequences, like the inability to smell fire or toxic chemicals. There’s a lot more where this came from.Sign up for our twice-weekly newsletter to get all our reviews, expert advice, deals and more. While there is much to still be learned about COVID-19 and loss of smell and taste—and there is no definitive cure-all for this symptom—some experts say that there are easy and safe ways that could help you "retrain" your senses as you recover. Here's what you need to know about smell training and when it may be time to visit a specialist in regard to your loss of taste and smell. ►More: 'Life-altering:' As millions cope with smell loss from COVID-19, researchers find new explanations and possible treatments Why do some lose taste and smell from COVID-19?There's a great deal of information that still isn't known or understood about this link. What we do know is that a loss of these senses isn't just symptomatic of COVID-19—it can occur from other infections, from smoking or as a result of injuries like head trauma. When it comes to COVID-19, as many as 70% to 80% of people who become infected experience a loss of taste and smell, specifically among cases that are more mild. For the majority of people, this loss may last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. "The number that recovers is high," says Dr. Eric Holbrook, a physician and surgeon and the director of the Division of Rhinology at Massachusetts Eye and Ear. However, as many as 40% to 45% of those who lose their smell will experience odd or even "unpleasant" smells and tastes when it returns—this refers to a phenomenon called parosmia. "The whole map gets confused," says Holbrook. "You're smelling something and it's stimulating some other things, so the odor you perceive is something much different than before the injury." How to get smell and taste back after a COVID-19 infectionRegaining your smell and taste is not an immediate or quick fix. While there is no proven treatment for recovering smell or taste loss, something called "smell training" is an easy and safe exercise that could potentially help. Smell training—or olfactory training—is simply sniffing different aromas to try to retrain your olfactory system and potentially restore the sense of smell. One specific method for smell training, according to Dr. David Valencia, an ear, nose and throat specialist at Mayo Clinic Health System in La Crosse, Wisconsin: Try to smell four different aromas, two to four times daily, for at least 24 weeks. Concentrate on what the aroma should smell like. "While no proven treatment is available, olfactory training is recommended because it is generally safe and serious side effects are very unlikely," says Valencia. Although you can use scents around your home like foods and candles, Valencia and Holbrook both suggest essential oils as a tool for smell training, as these potent and concentrated scents may help to promote recovery. One study that Holbrook cites uses four distinct scents to facilitate recovery: lemon, eucalyptus, rose and clove. You can use these or others, as the goal is to frequently smell many different scents over an extended period of time. Because you're doing quick whiffs of each scent, you won't need an essential oil diffuser for this particular exercise. When using essential oils, do not use or spread the oil in your nose or ingest it in any way—only use it for smelling. Concentrated essential oils can be irritating to the skin and harmful if ingested. Additionally, use caution if you live with children or pets. Certain essential oils may be especially irritating or dangerous for them. Beyond essential oils, Holbrook says you should keep your nose "active" and continue exposing your nerves to all kinds of odors if possible. This may mean trying a recipe with new, distinct flavors or spices or burning a new candle with specific notes. When you should see a doctorHolbrook says you should see a doctor or a specialist if you experience any prolonged issues with your smell and taste. "People should see a specialist, such as an ENT or otorhinolaryngologist if they have prolonged smell loss of any kind to make sure there's nothing else [injured] there," says Holbrook. "There are other reasons you lose your sense of smell." Holbrook also recommends steering away from any sort of home remedies from the Internet that claim to restore your sense of smell and taste. "Avoid social media as your main source of information and treatment—there are a lot of false remedies out there that could also potentially be dangerous," says Holbrook. Where to buy essential oilsAmazon
Anthropologie
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If you're traveling for the holidays, here's where you can buy KN95 masks There are new omicron variants—here's what you need to stay safe Have these essentials at home to ease cold, flu and COVID-19 symptoms—before you get sick Getting the new COVID booster shot? Here are products that may help ease discomfort These are our favorite humidifiers you can buy online Fake N95 and KN95 masks are everywhere—here's how to spot them and where to buy real ones There’s a lot more where this came from. Sign up for our twice-weekly newsletter to get all our reviews, expert advice, deals and more. The product experts at Reviewed have all your shopping needs covered. Follow Reviewed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok or Flipboard for the latest deals, product reviews and more. Can you regain your sense of smell after losing it due to COVIDWhen will I get my sense of smell and taste back? Patients usually improve slowly with time. About 65 percent of people with COVID-19-induced parosmia or hyposmia regain these senses by about 18 months, while 80-90 percent regain these senses by two years.
How can I regain my smell and taste?Smell therapy can help – the process involves smelling different strong scents for at least 20 seconds while thinking about memories and experiences involving the scent. We generally recommend rose, lemon, clove and eucalyptus essential oils because the smells are strong and distinctive.
How long does it take to get the sense of taste and smell back from COVIDFor many patients, COVID-19 symptoms like loss of smell and taste improve within 4 weeks of the virus clearing the body. A recent study shows that in 75-80% of cases, senses are restored after 2 months, with 95% of patients regaining senses of taste and smell after 6 months.
How do you get your taste back when you have Covid?What you can do to help. learn about your condition from trustworthy sources.. eat cool or room temperature foods.. take small mouthfuls – don't give up too quickly as you may get used to the taste.. try bland foods like rice, boiled potatoes and pasta.. try flavours that appeal to you.. |
How to make my smell and taste come back
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