Nose & Sinus

Loss of Smell (Anosmia)

A lost or fading sense of smell is common after a cold and usually returns on its own. When it lingers for weeks, an ENT specialist can find the cause — often a treatable nasal or sinus problem — and guide recovery.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Marwan Alhalalmeh, ENT Specialist · Last reviewed: 2026-06-16

Overview

Smell loss can be complete (anosmia) or partial (hyposmia), and some people instead notice distorted smells (parosmia). Most cases follow a simple, treatable problem: a blocked or inflamed nose from a cold, sinusitis, allergies, or nasal polyps stops odours reaching the smell area high in the nose. Viral infections — including COVID-19 — are now a very common cause, as is head injury, certain medicines, and natural changes with age. Because the nose and smell pathway are hard to see, an ENT specialist examines the nose with an endoscope to look for a blockage or polyps that can be treated. When loss follows inflammation, steroid sprays or rinses often help; when it follows a virus, smell training — regularly sniffing a set of familiar scents — can support recovery over time. A sense of smell that does not return after a few weeks, or loss on one side only, is always worth checking.

Symptoms

A reduced sense of smell (hyposmia) or none at all (anosmia)
Food tasting bland or flat, because smell drives most of taste
Distorted or unpleasant smells that are not really there (parosmia)
A blocked, congested, or runny nose alongside the smell loss
Not noticing strong odours such as smoke, gas, or spoiled food
Smell that comes and goes as nasal congestion changes

When to see a doctor

Smell that does not return within a few weeks
Loss of smell on one side of the nose only
Smell loss with a persistently blocked nose or nasal polyps
Loss that began after a head injury
Smell loss with severe headache or other new nerve symptoms (seek prompt care)

Treatment options

Nasal endoscopy to look for a blockage, inflammation, or polyps
Treating the cause: steroid sprays or rinses for nasal and sinus inflammation
Removing nasal polyps when they are blocking the smell area
Smell training — regularly sniffing a set of familiar scents to aid recovery
Safety advice: smoke, gas, and carbon-monoxide alarms while smell is reduced

Common questions

Will my sense of smell come back?

Often, yes. Smell loss from a cold or blocked nose usually returns once the nose clears, and many post-viral cases recover gradually over weeks to months. Recovery depends on the cause, which is why a check helps when it does not return on its own.

Why did I lose my sense of smell after COVID or a cold?

Viruses can temporarily affect the smell nerve endings high in the nose, and the swelling of a cold blocks odours from reaching them. Smell often returns as this settles; when it is slow, smell training can support recovery.

What is smell training?

Smell training means sniffing a small set of familiar scents — such as lemon, rose, cloves, and eucalyptus — for about twenty seconds each, twice a day over several months. It gently re-exercises the smell system and can help recovery after a viral loss.

Can a blocked nose or polyps cause loss of smell?

Yes. Anything that blocks airflow high in the nose — swelling from sinusitis or allergies, or nasal polyps — stops odours reaching the smell area. This type of loss often improves once the blockage or inflammation is treated.

When should loss of smell be checked by a specialist?

See an ENT specialist if your smell does not return within a few weeks, is only on one side, comes with a constantly blocked nose or polyps, or began after a head injury. These point to causes worth identifying and treating.

Overview

Symptoms

When to see a doctor

Treatment options

Common questions

Further reading