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What Causes Decreased Sense Of Smell After Sinus Infection?

Posted on Wed, 30 Sep 2015

Question: I had a cold/sinus infection over 8 weeks ago and now can only smell things up close to my nose but have very limited taste. An ENT looked up my nose and cannot see anything wrong or any blockages. Will I ever get my sense of smell and taste back completely?

Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You will get sense of smell & taste when sinus inflammation subside

Detailed Answer:
Hi Mam,
Thanks for the query.

I have read your query , reviewed your medications and understand your concern.

In my opinion , you will get sense of smell & taste completely when sinus inflammation & mucus will subside . Smell & taste are interrelated . If you can't get smell of food you will get not get taste .

If I were your treating Doctor for this case , I would advice
Saline nasal spray or rinse & salt water gargle to clear mucus thrice daily.
Continue Prednisone & steroid nasal spray for inflammation with allergy .
Use multivitamin multimineral antioxidant syrup twice daily to promote regeneration of sense of smell .

You will get relief .

Hope this information helpful to you .If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Krunal Karade (1 hour later)

Thank you for your reply. Even though my ENT looked up my nose with a camera and said that all looked fine do you think there is still a chance there is some inflammation? Is it a good sign that I have not lost my smell and taste forever from the viral infection given I can smell things up close?

Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes , you will recover sense of smell & taste .

Detailed Answer:
Hi ,
Thanks for the follow up query.

In my opinion , since you can smell thing close up , you will recover sense of smell & taste .

After medication use , minimal inflammation in sinuses will not seen on endoscopy . Your nasal mucous membrane still in recovery phase .

I would advice , follow treatment plan as advice , you will recover your sense of smell & taste .

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Krunal Karade (4 hours later)

Thanks again for your help. The ENT I saw sacred me so much. I have stopped taking the prednisone as it was making me very sick but I am still using the steroid nasal spray. Will that be enough to work? And approximately how long could it take to get my senses back completely?

Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Recovery is gradual may require upto 3 month .

Detailed Answer:
Hi ,
Thanks for the follow up query.

You can continue only steroid nasal spray if prednisone causing side effect .
Use Saline nasal spray or rinse , salt water gargle & multivitamin multimineral antioxidant syrup for early recovery .

Recovery is gradual may require upto 3 month .

Hope this information helpful to you .

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Neel Kudchadkar

Follow up: Dr. Krunal Karade (1 hour later)

Is the multivitamin multimineral antioxidant syrup something that can be purchased over the counter at health food shop or chemist/pharmacy?

Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes , you can buy it over the counter .

Detailed Answer:
Hi ,

Yes , you can buy multivitamin multimineral antioxidant syrup like Vitasure or Zincovit over the counter health food shop or chemist/pharmacy.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Krunal Karade (2 hours later)

Thank you. Given I can smell quite clearly up close Shouldnt I at least have a little bit of taste? Sorry to go on and on but I am just so scared that I will never taste again and also so sick of holding everything up close to my nose just to make sure I can still smell them. I realise I must be patient but sometimes it's just really hard.

Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (14 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I understand your concerns.

Detailed Answer:
Hi ,
Thanks for query .

I understand your concerns .

I would advice , take complete treatment plan you will get relief .

Smell will come first then taste .

Olfactory tissue will require some time for regeneration .

Hope this information helpful .

Wish you good health .

Regards .

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Sonia Raina

Follow up: Dr. Krunal Karade (2 hours later)

Thank you for your help. It sounds like I will just have to be patient and hopefully everything will return in time. Thank you for being so helpful and positive.

Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Yes , you need to be patient & hopefully in this condition .

Detailed Answer:
Yes , you need to be patient & hopefully in this condition .
Follow complete treatment plan , you will get relief .

Thanks .

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj