“Parosmia can be caused by a number of things, such as respiratory infections, seizures, and even brain tumors,” saysRichard Orlandi, MD, an ear, nose, and throat physician and professor in theDepartment of Surgeryat University of Utah Health. “Since the pandemic, COVID-recovered patients have reported this symptom.”
The loss of smell is not a new phenomenon. Before COVID-19, it was most associated with the common cold and influenza. While it’s not known exactly what triggers parosmia, it compares to the smell disruption that’s common with other viral illnesses such as these.
To better explain this, think of your sense of smell like a piano—it 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.
“Your sense of smell is important,” Orlandi says. “It’s what helps you enjoy food and sense danger, as in the case of smoke. It’s connected to our memories, such as the way your mom or grandma’s perfume smells. Depending on the severity, this condition can range from an annoyance to a frustrating and anxiety-inducing symptom.”
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 “remember” 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 theDivision of Otolaryngology(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.
“Parosmia can be very disruptive to a person’s life, but don’t lose hope,” Smith says. “It does seem to get better for the vast majority of people over time.”
Smith advises those who are experiencing a loss of smell following COVID-19 infection to be seen for their symptoms. “Often people who aren’t experiencing this condition don’t understand the severity of symptoms that comes with parosmia,” she says. “Having the chance to talk about it with a specialist can validate what a patient is experiencing.”
