This Might Help You Get Your Taste Back After COVID-19
When COVID-19 first emerged, one of the more telling symptoms was a loss of taste or smell. In fact, in some people, it has been the only symptom of the virus, according to Medical News Today.
One study found that about 53 percent of people who came down with COVID-19 lost their sense of taste or smell. And this can be disconcerting, making food unpalatable for an extended period of time. For most people, the ability to taste will return within a few weeks, but for a subset of those who come down with COVID-19, the loss of taste can last for months.
If going without your sense of taste is getting to you, there are a few things you can try. Bustle spoke to experts that had some suggestions. "Nasal steroid sprays and systemic steroids may be helpful but should be used with the recommendation of a physician," said Dr. Omid Mehdizadeh M.D., otolaryngologist at Providence Saint John's Health Center. The steroids in nasal sprays can reduce swelling that is blocking smell and taste receptors, but they must be used carefully to avoid further congestion.
When you should consult your doctor
If a few days of nasal spray don't work, there is something called olfactory training that you may want to consider. This is a process of smelling certain recommended scents to retrain the body to recognize them again, according to Nature. This is not something that can just be undertaken at home, however. It requires the expertise and guidance of a medical professional, so speak with your doctor if you'd like to try it.
Some studies conducted in Europe also recommend the use of omega-3 fats and vitamin A nasal sprays to restore lost taste or smell. These are potential therapies you can mention to your physician if you are still experiencing these lost senses after several months.
The number one recommendation of experts is simply to wait, however, and to let your body continue to heal. According to a study published in Clinical Microbiology and Infection, 73 percent of people with COVID-19 recovered their sense of taste within six weeks.