One of the signs of COVID-19 disease is a loss of taste and smell. While most patients recover from this, some report an unpleasant new symptom following COVID-19 infection called parosmia. It鈥檚 a condition where otherwise normal smells now smell and taste unpleasant or even disgusting. For example, to someone with parosmia, coffee or fruit smells like garbage, rotten meat, eggs, or ammonia.
What Is Parosmia?
鈥淧arosmia can be caused by a number of things, such as respiratory infections, seizures, and even brain tumors,鈥 says Richard Orlandi, MD, an ear, nose, and throat physician and professor in the Department of Surgery at 麻豆学生精品版. 鈥淪ince the pandemic, COVID-recovered patients have reported this symptom.鈥
The loss of smell is not a new phenomenon. Before COVID-19, it was most associated with the common cold and influenza. While it鈥檚 not known exactly what triggers parosmia, it compares to the smell disruption that鈥檚 common with other viral illnesses such as these.
To better explain this, think of your sense of smell like a piano鈥攊t has a number of different keys, or receptors. The way we smell is by activating those keys and the strings attached to them to play a chord. Following COVID-19 infection, those keys and strings can get damaged. When that happens, those chords may not play the right notes. Similarly, the receptors in your nose may not perceive smell correctly due to damage that may have occurred.
鈥淵our sense of smell is important,鈥 Orlandi says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 what helps you enjoy food and sense danger, as in the case of smoke. It鈥檚 connected to our memories, such as the way your mom or grandma鈥檚 perfume smells. Depending on the severity, this condition can range from an annoyance to a frustrating and anxiety-inducing symptom.鈥
How Long Does Parosmia Last?
The good news is parosmia improves with time in most cases. People report a change to their sense of smell about three to four months after infection. 65 percent of those people regain their taste and smell 18 months after infection. About 80 to 90 percent get these senses back within two years.
Is There a Treatment for Parosmia?
While there is no known treatment for COVID-19-induced parosmia, some believe smell therapy may help. This process involves smelling strong scents such as citrus, perfume, cloves, or eucalyptus each day to re-train the brain to 鈥渞emember鈥 how to smell. More study is needed to know how impactful this therapy is for patients experiencing parosmia.
Kristine Smith, MD, a rhinologist and assistant professor in the (Head and Neck Surgery) at U of U Health, recommends lifestyle modifications to her patients to help improve their quality of life, such as:
- Eating simple or bland meals: The more complex the aroma, the more likely it seems to trigger parosmia.
- Eating food cold or at room temperature: Steam is what carries that sense of smell to your nose, which can trigger parosmia.
鈥淧arosmia can be very disruptive to a person鈥檚 life, but don鈥檛 lose hope,鈥 Smith says. 鈥淚t does seem to get better for the vast majority of people over time.鈥
Smith advises those who are experiencing a loss of smell following COVID-19 infection to be seen for their symptoms. 鈥淥ften people who aren鈥檛 experiencing this condition don鈥檛 understand the severity of symptoms that comes with parosmia,鈥 she says. 鈥淗aving the chance to talk about it with a specialist can validate what a patient is experiencing.鈥
Long COVID Clinic at 麻豆学生精品版
Providing care for individuals age 18 and older who struggle with COVID-19 symptoms that remain long after a you have recovered from the disease
