Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentWhen to See a Doctor
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
When to See a Doctor
A partial or total loss of smell—called anosmia—can happen for many reasons—including havingCOVID-19. Loss of smell can also affect your sense of taste. In fact, the two senses are so closely connected that people who are losing their sense of smell often mistakenly believe they arelosing their sense of taste.
A loss of smell is most often temporary, depending on the cause.
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Anosmia Causes
Many conditions can temporarily or permanently cause anosmia. More rarely, a decreased sense of smell can signal the start of a serious condition such asAlzheimer’s diseaseorParkinson’s disease. Some people are born with a diminished or heightened ability to smell as compared to others.
In general, our ability to smell may wax and wane over our lifetime, and most of us begin to lose our sense of smell after the age of 60.
Studies also show that women tend to have a more accurate sense of smell than men.
In addition to adiminished sense of smell and taste, people who suffer from anosmia may also have other symptoms, depending on the cause of their anosmia. These symptoms vary widely. You should report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider, even if you don’t think they’re relevant, since they may indicate an underlying condition.
COVID-19 and Loss of SmellThe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says loss of smell—or anosmia—may be a sign ofCOVID-19infection. If you suspect you or a loved one may be sick, contact your healthcare provider. Learn more about COVID-19, includinghow it’s diagnosedandanswers to common questionsyou may have.
COVID-19 and Loss of Smell
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says loss of smell—or anosmia—may be a sign ofCOVID-19infection. If you suspect you or a loved one may be sick, contact your healthcare provider. Learn more about COVID-19, includinghow it’s diagnosedandanswers to common questionsyou may have.
If you’re concerned that you may be losing your sense of smell, it’s likely you have a common and temporary condition. Keep in mind that each individual and case is different, so whether or not your diminished sense of smell persists will depend on your individual circumstances.
The following conditions can cause anosmia that is often temporary or reversible:
The loss of smell due to some conditions or risk factors may be reversible, partially reversible, or permanent. For example, once a person quits smoking, their sense of smell usually improves—but how much the ability to smell returns is variable.
Medication side effects that cause loss of smell may be temporary or permanent, depending on the medication.
Nasal Sprays and Loss of SmellZinc nasal sprays are known to cause permanent anosmia. Breathing in chemicals or environmental pollutants has been known to cause permanent anosmia as well.
Nasal Sprays and Loss of Smell
Zinc nasal sprays are known to cause permanent anosmia. Breathing in chemicals or environmental pollutants has been known to cause permanent anosmia as well.
The use of cocaine or other drugs that are snorted up the nose can also cause anosmia.Like smoking, a person’s ability to smell may or may not return when the drug is stopped or may only partially return.
The list of medications that may alter a person’s ability to smell or taste is very long, but it includes many:
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Associated Conditions
Many conditions often cause a permanent loss of a person’s sense of smell. Again, keep in mind that each case is different, and some people may regain their sense of smell even with these conditions, though many do not.
Brain injuries (head trauma) may cause anosmia, as can disorders that affect the nervous system, including:
Radiation treatment to the head and neck may also cause anosmia.
Some other conditions that may cause anosmia include:
Your healthcare provider will review your medical history as well as any current symptoms you might be having. Your practitioner will probably also perform a physical exam.
If warranted, a healthcare provider will order blood tests to rule out risk factors, such as infections or hormonal disturbances, or a computerized tomography (CT) scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to diagnose nasal polyps or tumors.
The Scratch-and-Sniff TestA healthcare provider may administer a scratch-and-sniff test where you will be asked to identify certain smells.
The Scratch-and-Sniff Test
A healthcare provider may administer a scratch-and-sniff test where you will be asked to identify certain smells.
As mentioned above, many conditions that can diminish your sense of smell are reversible, but it depends on the root cause of your condition.
Nasal polyps or deviated septums can be treatedsurgically, sinusitis can sometimes be treated with antibiotics, and allergies can be treated with medications.
If the anosmia is a side effect of a medication you are taking, the medication should be stopped.
There is no medication or treatment specifically designed to improve or bring back your sense of smell, but finding the cause of the anosmia and resolving the underlying issue is successful in many cases. In some cases, the sense of smell may return gradually.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Go to the emergency room if you lose your sense of smell and experience neurological symptoms such as dizziness, slurred speech, or muscle weakness.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Boyce JM, Shone GR.Effects of ageing on smell and taste.Postgrad Med J. 2006;82(966):239-41. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2005.039453Sorokowski P, Karwowski M, Misiak M, et al.Sex differences in human olfaction: A meta-analysis.Front Psychol. 2019;10:242. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00242Boesveldt S, Postma EM, Boak D, et al.Anosmia-a clinical review.Chem Senses. 2017;42(7):513-523. doi:10.1093/chemse/bjx025Schiffman SS.Influence of medications on taste and smell.World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;4(1):84-91. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2018.02.005Molteni M, Saibene AM, Luciano K, Maccari A.Snorting the clivus away: an extreme case of cocaine-induced midline destructive lesion.BMJ Case Rep. 2016;2016. doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-216393Douglass R, Heckman G.Drug-related taste disturbance: a contributing factor in geriatric syndromes.Can Fam Physician. 2010;56(11):1142-7.Schofield PW, Moore TM, Gardner A.Traumatic brain injury and olfaction: a systematic review.Front Neurol. 2014;5:5. doi:10.3389/fneur.2014.00005Additional ReadingAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. Smell and Taste.American Family Physician. Smell and Taste Disorders: A Primary Approach.Medline Plus. Smell-impaired.NIH Senior Health. Problems with smell.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Boyce JM, Shone GR.Effects of ageing on smell and taste.Postgrad Med J. 2006;82(966):239-41. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2005.039453Sorokowski P, Karwowski M, Misiak M, et al.Sex differences in human olfaction: A meta-analysis.Front Psychol. 2019;10:242. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00242Boesveldt S, Postma EM, Boak D, et al.Anosmia-a clinical review.Chem Senses. 2017;42(7):513-523. doi:10.1093/chemse/bjx025Schiffman SS.Influence of medications on taste and smell.World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;4(1):84-91. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2018.02.005Molteni M, Saibene AM, Luciano K, Maccari A.Snorting the clivus away: an extreme case of cocaine-induced midline destructive lesion.BMJ Case Rep. 2016;2016. doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-216393Douglass R, Heckman G.Drug-related taste disturbance: a contributing factor in geriatric syndromes.Can Fam Physician. 2010;56(11):1142-7.Schofield PW, Moore TM, Gardner A.Traumatic brain injury and olfaction: a systematic review.Front Neurol. 2014;5:5. doi:10.3389/fneur.2014.00005Additional ReadingAmerican Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. Smell and Taste.American Family Physician. Smell and Taste Disorders: A Primary Approach.Medline Plus. Smell-impaired.NIH Senior Health. Problems with smell.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Boyce JM, Shone GR.Effects of ageing on smell and taste.Postgrad Med J. 2006;82(966):239-41. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2005.039453Sorokowski P, Karwowski M, Misiak M, et al.Sex differences in human olfaction: A meta-analysis.Front Psychol. 2019;10:242. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00242Boesveldt S, Postma EM, Boak D, et al.Anosmia-a clinical review.Chem Senses. 2017;42(7):513-523. doi:10.1093/chemse/bjx025Schiffman SS.Influence of medications on taste and smell.World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;4(1):84-91. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2018.02.005Molteni M, Saibene AM, Luciano K, Maccari A.Snorting the clivus away: an extreme case of cocaine-induced midline destructive lesion.BMJ Case Rep. 2016;2016. doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-216393Douglass R, Heckman G.Drug-related taste disturbance: a contributing factor in geriatric syndromes.Can Fam Physician. 2010;56(11):1142-7.Schofield PW, Moore TM, Gardner A.Traumatic brain injury and olfaction: a systematic review.Front Neurol. 2014;5:5. doi:10.3389/fneur.2014.00005
Boyce JM, Shone GR.Effects of ageing on smell and taste.Postgrad Med J. 2006;82(966):239-41. doi:10.1136/pgmj.2005.039453
Sorokowski P, Karwowski M, Misiak M, et al.Sex differences in human olfaction: A meta-analysis.Front Psychol. 2019;10:242. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2019.00242
Boesveldt S, Postma EM, Boak D, et al.Anosmia-a clinical review.Chem Senses. 2017;42(7):513-523. doi:10.1093/chemse/bjx025
Schiffman SS.Influence of medications on taste and smell.World J Otorhinolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2018;4(1):84-91. doi:10.1016/j.wjorl.2018.02.005
Molteni M, Saibene AM, Luciano K, Maccari A.Snorting the clivus away: an extreme case of cocaine-induced midline destructive lesion.BMJ Case Rep. 2016;2016. doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-216393
Douglass R, Heckman G.Drug-related taste disturbance: a contributing factor in geriatric syndromes.Can Fam Physician. 2010;56(11):1142-7.
Schofield PW, Moore TM, Gardner A.Traumatic brain injury and olfaction: a systematic review.Front Neurol. 2014;5:5. doi:10.3389/fneur.2014.00005
American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery. Smell and Taste.American Family Physician. Smell and Taste Disorders: A Primary Approach.Medline Plus. Smell-impaired.NIH Senior Health. Problems with smell.
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