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Loss of smell (anosmia)

Anosmia · Ztráta čichu (anosmie)

What it is

Smell lost after viruses (COVID-19 above all), sinus disease, head injury or ageing — and sometimes an early sign of Parkinson's disease.

Symptoms & signs

  • No smell or reduced smell
  • food tasting bland
  • distorted smells (parosmia)
  • missing smoke or gas

🚩 Get help if…

  • call 112 / 911 now Loss of smell after a head injury with clear fluid from the nose
  • see a doctor soon Loss of smell on one side with nosebleeds or blockage
  • see a doctor soon Loss of smell with tremor or slowed movement
  • see a doctor soon Loss of smell lasting over 3 months

Where it strikes

Medical treatment

  • Examination and smell tests
  • treat sinusitis and polyps (steroids)
  • smell training
  • MRI if unexplained

Natural & lifestyle

  • Smell training twice daily with four strong scents
  • smoke and gas alarms
  • no smoking

Emerging & experimental

  • Platelet-rich plasma injections into the nose
  • stellate ganglion block for parosmia

Alternative, off-label & anecdotal

Approaches used outside the guidelines, with what their supporters report and what testing has found so far.

  • Smell training — trials support it after viral loss trials support
  • Omega-3 — a small trial helped recovery early / small studies
  • Vitamin A nasal drops — early trials after viral loss early / small studies
  • Palmitoylethanolamide with luteolin — small trials after COVID-19 early / small studies

ICD codes