What is anosmia?
Anosmia is the loss of sense of smell. This condition affects your ability to detect odors.
Who does anosmia affect?
Temporary anosmia can affect people of all ages. But a long-lasting loss of sense of smell is more common among adults over the age of 50. In rare cases, people have congenital anosmia. In other words, they were born with the condition. Congenital anosmia affects roughly one in 10,000 people.
How common is anosmia?
Anosmia is a common side effect of many conditions, including colds, sinus infections and allergies. Most of the time, symptoms are temporary and resolve themselves in a short amount of time. Anosmia is also a common symptom of COVID-19.
Is anosmia dangerous?
While anosmia itself usually isn’t dangerous, it can be related to many concerning health issues. Additionally, it can reduce your ability to detect the smell of smoke, gas leaks or spoiled food. As a result, people with anosmia should take extra steps to ensure that their environment is safe. Change the batteries in your smoke detectors frequently and read food expiration dates carefully.
What is the difference between ageusia and anosmia?
While anosmia refers to a total loss of smell, ageusia refers to a complete loss of taste. These two conditions sometimes occur together because sense of smell and sense of taste are closely related.
Are there other smell disorders?
Yes. In addition to anosmia, people can also develop phantosmia (smelling things that aren’t there), parosmia (a distorted sense of smell) and hyposmia (a reduced sense of smell).
What are the symptoms of anosmia?
People with anosmia can lose their sense of smell gradually or suddenly. You may notice that familiar scents smell differently before you develop a complete loss of smell.
What causes anosmia?
There are many common conditions that can cause anosmia to develop. These may include:
- Nasal polyps.
- Common cold.
- Influenza (flu).
- Nasal congestion.
- A deviated septum.
- Sinus infection (sinusitis).
- Hay fever or other allergies.
Anosmia has also be linked to:
How is anosmia diagnosed?
Anosmia is usually diagnosed by an ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT). They’ll ask you about your symptoms, examine your nose and run tests to determine the extent of your loss of smell. In some cases, a CT (computed tomography) scan may be necessary to help your provider see what’s going on inside your body.
How is anosmia treated?
In most cases, treating the underlying condition can help restore your sense of smell. For example, if you have sinusitis, then antibiotics can help clear up the infection. If certain medications are affecting your sense of smell, then switching meds may help ease your anosmia symptoms. If you have nasal polyps or another type of blockage, surgery may be necessary. Your healthcare provider can help determine any underlying conditions and recommend appropriate treatment.
Can anosmia be cured?
It depends on the type of anosmia you have. There is currently no known cure for congenital anosmia. In most cases, however, anosmia goes away on its own. Generally, once the underlying problem is treated, your sense of smell is restored.
Can anosmia be prevented?
Because anosmia is a symptom of many health-related conditions, it can’t always be prevented. However, there are certain things you can do to reduce your risk:
- Avoid toxic chemicals and environments.
- Don’t smoke.
- Wear protective gear when playing contact sports, since anosmia can be caused by brain injuries.
Can anosmia be permanent following a COVID-19 infection?
Loss of sense of smell is a common side effect of COVID-19. However, current research has determined that coronavirus may cause smell dysfunction, but it doesn’t cause permanent anosmia.
What can I expect if I have anosmia?
If you’ve been diagnosed with anosmia, your healthcare provider can help manage your symptoms until your sense of smell is restored.
How long can anosmia last?
It depends on the underlying cause of your anosmia. Most of the time, your sense of smell returns once treatment is complete.
How long is anosmia after COVID?
People who have anosmia as a COVID-19 side effect usually regain their sense of smell in approximately two to three weeks. This is an estimate; recovery times can vary.
When should I see my healthcare provider?
Anosmia related to colds, flus and infections usually goes away within a few days. If you have lingering anosmia, schedule a consultation with your healthcare provider.
What questions should I ask my healthcare provider?
If you have anosmia, understanding your condition can put your mind at ease and help you make decisions regarding treatment. Here are a few questions you may want to ask your provider:
- Is my loss of smell due to a cold, flu or infection?
- Do I have an underlying condition that needs to be treated?
- Could any of my medications be causing anosmia?
- Are there other things I can do to restore my sense of smell?
Can you taste without smell?
Smell and taste are closely related. Your tongue can detect sweet, sour, salty and bitter tastes. But without your sense of smell, you wouldn’t be able to detect delicate, subtle flavors.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Most of the time, losing your sense of smell isn’t serious. But there are instances in which anosmia indicates other, more serious health conditions. If you develop sudden or prolonged loss of smell, contact your healthcare provider. They can find the underlying cause of your anosmia and recommend treatments to ease your symptoms.