A common symptom reported by many individuals who have had COVID-19 is a change or loss in their sense of smell. This can manifest in several ways, including anosmia (complete loss), hyposmia (reduced sense), or parosmia and phantosmia (distorted or phantom smells). These olfactory dysfunctions significantly affect daily life, impacting enjoyment of food, social interactions, and even safety, such as detecting gas leaks or spoiled food.
Typical Recovery Timelines
For many, the sense of smell returns relatively quickly after a COVID-19 infection. Within a few weeks to three months, 50% to 90% of individuals regain their sense of smell. Specifically, about 58% improve within two weeks, 77% within one month, 86% by four months, and 96% within 12 months.
Despite these positive statistics, some individuals experience a more prolonged recovery. Smell loss can persist for six months or even longer, sometimes extending beyond a year. Parosmia, a distorted sense of smell, might develop two to three months after the initial infection. This can involve normal smells appearing unpleasant, like garbage or chemicals, and often signifies nerve regeneration as part of the recovery process.
Factors Affecting Smell Recovery
Individual recovery times for smell vary due to several factors. The severity of the initial COVID-19 infection might influence recovery, though it’s not a direct predictor of smell loss duration. However, persistent impairment links to a higher number of overall COVID-19 symptoms, suggesting a connection to long COVID.
Age is another influencing factor, with younger individuals often showing a higher rate of smell recovery compared to older adults. Women have been observed to take longer to recover their sense of smell than men, though men might experience symptoms more acutely at the onset. The specific type of smell dysfunction, such as complete anosmia versus hyposmia or parosmia, can also influence the recovery trajectory.
Managing Smell Loss and Seeking Professional Help
For those experiencing persistent smell loss, several strategies can help with recovery. Olfactory training is a recommended technique. This involves repeatedly sniffing a set of strong, familiar scents, such as rose, lemon, eucalyptus, and clove, for 10-20 seconds each, twice a day. This process aims to stimulate and retrain the olfactory nerves, encouraging neuroplasticity. While smell training can take months to years to show full results, it has been shown to be 30% to 50% effective in improving smell function.
It is advisable to consult a healthcare professional if smell loss persists. If no significant improvement occurs after two months, or if symptoms worsen, seeking an evaluation from an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist is recommended. Early intervention can be beneficial, as there is a window where potential for recovery or nerve regeneration is higher. While no FDA-approved medications specifically treat smell loss, a doctor might consider options like topical corticosteroid sprays, although their effectiveness for COVID-19 related anosmia is limited. Specialists can also rule out other potential causes for the smell dysfunction.