Get your health question answered instantly from our pool of 18000+ doctors from over 80 specialties
159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM BlogQuestions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction

What Causes An Altered Sense Of Taste?

The past few days I have noticed some food tasting like bleach or maybe chlorine....first was vegetables in a restaurant - put it down to maybe they rinsed them in something. But the chicken I cooked at home also had that taste and it was definitely not rinsed in anything. What does this mean?
Tue, 12 May 2015
Report Abuse
Dentist,  's  Response
Hi Dear,

Welcome to HCM.

Understanding your concern.

Brief answer - Dysgeusia

As per your query taste sensation like chlorine/ bleach is because of dysguesia. Taste buds of tongue receive taste first and send sensory signals to brain. Due to chemotherapy, tobacco use, zinc deficiency, B12 deficiency, autoimmune diseases and dry mouth these sensors got disturbed and cause altered sensation of taste.

I would suggest you to find out the cause and start treatment accordingly. Avoid smoke immediately if you having in excess. Use zinc supplements for better recovery. Use of chewing gums for saliva stimulation. Maintain proper dental hygiene. If nerve disease is a cause nerve microsurgery is recommended.

Avoid medications like albuterol or take substitute for the same. Use mouth wash for supplementing taste by stopping bacterial growth.

If this condition keeps on persisting visit dentist/dermatologist once.

Hope your concern has been resolved.

Get Well Soon.
Best Wishes,
Dr. Harry Maheshwari
I find this answer helpful

 1 user finds this helpful
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Disclaimer: These answers are for your information only and not intended to replace your relationship with your treating physician.
This is a short, free answer. For a more detailed, immediate answer, try our premium service [Sample answer]
Share on
 

Related questions you may be interested in


Loading Online Doctors....
What Causes An Altered Sense Of Taste?

Hi Dear, Welcome to HCM. Understanding your concern. Brief answer - Dysgeusia As per your query taste sensation like chlorine/ bleach is because of dysguesia. Taste buds of tongue receive taste first and send sensory signals to brain. Due to chemotherapy, tobacco use, zinc deficiency, B12 deficiency, autoimmune diseases and dry mouth these sensors got disturbed and cause altered sensation of taste. I would suggest you to find out the cause and start treatment accordingly. Avoid smoke immediately if you having in excess. Use zinc supplements for better recovery. Use of chewing gums for saliva stimulation. Maintain proper dental hygiene. If nerve disease is a cause nerve microsurgery is recommended. Avoid medications like albuterol or take substitute for the same. Use mouth wash for supplementing taste by stopping bacterial growth. If this condition keeps on persisting visit dentist/dermatologist once. Hope your concern has been resolved. Get Well Soon. Best Wishes, Dr. Harry Maheshwari