Written by Aunna Pourang, MD | Reviewed by Sophie Vergnaud, MDPublished on January 21, 2022
Key takeaways:
- COVID-19 infections are one of many possible causes of loss of taste and smell.
- The chance of full recovery of smell and taste depends on the cause, and it’s different for each person.
- The best way to tell if you have COVID-19 is to get a COVID-19 test.
AntonioGuillem/iStock via Getty Images
These days, the loss of your sense of taste (ageusia) or smell (anosmia) has taken on new meanings — with added concern. That’s because many of us have learned that these symptoms can be potential signs of COVID-19. Although it may sound simple enough, it can be tricky to determine if you’ve lost your sense of taste and smell. There are different degrees of loss, so you may still be able to smell, but not as sharp as before (hyposmia). Or your ability to taste may decrease (dysgeusia).
So how can you know if these symptoms are cause for concern? And what’s the best way to determine the cause? We’ll review different causes of the loss of taste and smell and how long you may have to deal with these symptoms.
Can loss of taste or smell be something other than COVID-19?
We’ve all been there. You aren’t feeling well and you notice that you can’t taste or smell anything. Many things can cause this — it’s not just COVID-19. Whatever the cause, the reason for losing the sense of taste or smell often has to do with abnormalities on the surfaces of the nose or tongue — or the nerves supplying those surfaces. Fortunately, the most common causes of loss of smell and taste (causes 1 to 3 below) usually get better with time. Here are seven things — other than COVID-19 — that can cause a loss of taste and smell.
1) Viruses that cause the cold and flu
Viruses that cause the common cold — like the rhinovirus or common human coronaviruses (different from COVID-19) and the flu (influenza viruses) — infect humans through the nose and mouth. They can cause swelling in the nose. And they can even damage the lining of the nose to the point where some people lose their sense of smell for a few years. But most people eventually recover. In general, you’ll get back to smelling and tasting normally once the infection has resolved.
So how might you know that your loss of smell is caused by the flu or a cold and not COVID-19? Typically a cold will cause more nasal congestion or runny nose. Keep in mind that this isn’t always the case, as the Omicron variant of COVID-19 causes similar symptoms to a cold or flu. So the best way to tell the difference is to get a test for COVID-19.
2) Allergies
If you’ve ever been allergic to anything — pollen, pets, or even dust — you may have noticed that your symptoms are similar to a cold. Sneezing, runny nose, and congestion can all lead to issues with smelling. And the longer you have had allergies — and the more severe your symptoms are — the more likely you’re to have a loss of smell.
Typically, allergies cause sneezing, congestion, and a cough. But usually they don’t cause fever or body aches. If you’re not sure, again, the best way to know is to get a COVID-19 test.
3) Nasal polyps
If you’ve struggled with allergies for a long time, you may have also developed nasal polyps. These are noncancerous growths that develop in the nose or sinus. And like with allergies, anything stuffing up your nose is going to affect how you smell. But allergies aren’t the only causes of nasal polyps. Sensitivity to aspirin, sinus infections, and asthma are also linked to nasal polyps.
4) Tobacco products
Smoking doesn’t just affect your lungs or increase your risk of death with COVID-19. Cigarettes can also affect how you smell and taste. Smoking may also increase your risk of developing nasal polyps, making it even harder to smell.
And it’s not just cigarettes that can affect your sense of smell and taste. Other tobacco products — like vaping — can affect how you smell or taste. Chewing tobacco can also affect your sense of taste. Quitting tobacco use is a surefire way to get you back to smelling and tasting normally (and being healthy) again.
5) Medications
Most of us have taken ibuprofen or acetaminophen (Tylenol) for aches or pains. But did you know that these medications can also affect your sense of taste? In fact, some of the most commonly used medications in the U.S. can affect your sense of taste or smell, including:
- Allergy medications: loratadine, fluticasone
- Antibiotics: amoxicillin, azithromycin
- Blood pressure medications: lisinopril, metoprolol
- Cholesterol-lowering medications: atorvastatin, pravastatin
- Medications for reflux: omeprazole, ranitidine
Other common medications that can alter your sense of taste or smell include levothyroxine, metformin, and zolpidem — among many more. Keep in mind that these medications may not just decrease your sense of taste or smell but may change it altogether — like the metallic taste you can experience when taking lithium.
Sometimes what affects your sense of taste isn’t a specific drug, rather it’s from taking many medications at once. Chemotherapy and radiation treatments for cancer can also affect how you smell or taste.
You can talk with your healthcare provider about different medication options that won’t impact your sense of taste or smell as much, all while keeping you healthy.
6) Neurological causes
The act of smelling and tasting happens thanks to nerves from the brain that are connected to the nose or tongue. If these nerves or the parts of the brain that control smell and taste sensations are affected, then there’s a high chance your sense of taste or smell will also be affected. Other neurologic conditions that can affect your sense of taste or smell include:
- Head trauma: This may happen during a car accident or blow to the skull, nose, or jaw.
- Parkinson’s disease: This is a condition that causes tremors and issues with movement and coordination.
- Alzheimer’s disease: This is a condition that causes dementia and changes in the way we think or act, like memory loss or emotional disturbances.
- Multiple sclerosis: In this condition, your body’s immune system attacks your brain and spinal cord and can cause various symptoms from weakness to changes in vision.
7) Aging
Growing older affects more than eyesight and hearing. You may also notice that foods don’t taste the same as they used to — or that you can’t smell things as well anymore. This happens with aging because the nerves that help you smell don’t regenerate as effectively anymore. Areas of the brain that help you smell also change with age. If you can’t smell as well, it will usually affect how you taste, too.
With age, you’re more likely to take more medications or experience neurological conditions like Alzheimer’s disease. These added factors can add to difficulty with smelling and tasting over the years.
How long does loss of taste and smell last?
Not being able to smell or taste like you used to can be frustrating. Tasting your favorite foods and smelling fresh air makes life more enjoyable. Plus, the ability to smell harmful fumes can protect you from danger. But the duration of symptoms will depend on the cause, and it’s different for each person.
In aging and progressive neurological disorders, the process of losing these senses may take some time. But your sense of taste and smell may never return to what it was before. Viruses for the cold, flu, and COVID-19 can cause these symptoms to happen quickly and can last for 1 to 2 weeks. But they can last up to a few years in some cases.
Treating allergies or nasal polyps may get you back to smelling like you used to. But that’s not the case for everyone, as it depends on how severe your case is.
Keep in mind that sometimes there are unknown causes of issues with smell or taste. That can make it hard to tell how long your symptoms last. To make things more confusing, some people get their sense of taste and smell back without any treatment.
Your healthcare provider can help you get to the bottom of your symptoms and determine the best options for treatment.
The bottom line
Not being able to smell or taste can be stressful, regardless of the cause. COVID-19 is only one of many possible causes of smell and taste dysfunction. And for most, there are ways to get you back to sniffing and tasting like normal again. If you suddenly experience a loss of taste or smell and think you have COVID-19, make sure to get tested.
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