Loss of smell is a common symptom of COVID-19 infection, and for some people, this effect can last well beyond recovery. Research in this area is still fairly young, but evidence suggests there are some treatment options that may be able to help.*

Treating COVID-19-related loss of smell

It’s estimated that up to 15% of the general population experiences partial or total loss of smell at some point. This can affect a person’s safety, ability to taste, and overall quality of life. Many factors can lead to smell loss, such as:

• Normal aging, 
• Chronic nasal infections, 
• Injury, or 
• Neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s disease. 

Loss of smell is also a common symptom of COVID-19, and can last long after someone has recovered from the infection. 

If you’re experiencing long-term loss of smell after being infected with COVID-19, speak with your doctor. They can work with you to find an appropriate treatment plan for your specific situation. Here are five treatment options that may be worth exploring.

Nasal sprays

Nasal corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory medications that are sprayed directly into the nose. They are commonly used to treat loss of smell due to a variety of conditions, and although the evidence is predominately based on people with chronic nasal infections, they may also help COVID-19-related loss. They are generally safe when used as instructed by your doctor.

Olfactory training

There is growing evidence that suggests olfactory training can help people improve their loss of smell. The idea is that repeated exposure to particular smells may help restore the signaling pathway between the brain and the nerves in your nasal cavity, called olfactory nerves. Although more research is needed to fully understand its benefits, olfactory training is often recommended either alone or in tandem with medication for people previously infected with COVID-19.

Sodium citrate

It’s thought that the calcium present in mucus could lower someone’s ability to smell. Sodium citrate is considered an intranasal calcium buffer. In other words, it reduces the amount of free calcium in the nose and nasal cavity. Evidence from multiple studies has shown that a topical dose of sodium citrate was able to help temporarily improve people’s ability to smell after recovering from COVID-19. While this is a short-term effect, researchers suggest it could be used during mealtime to improve taste ability.

Systemic corticosteroids

Systemic corticosteroids are similar to the nasal spray version, but instead of being applied directly inside the nose, they are taken as oral medication or through injections. Scientists are still exploring how this may work, but a few studies have shown it might help improve smell function in people with chronic nasal infections. There are possible negative side effects to using system-wide corticosteroids, so be sure to fully discuss this option with your doctor before starting treatment.

Other possible treatments

There are many other treatment options that may help improve a person’s ability to smell, but the evidence isn’t strong enough yet to know for sure. Small studies have found that acupuncture and certain supplements, including alpha-lipoic acid, vitamin A, omega-3, and insulin, were able to help improve a person’s ability to smell, but larger, more inclusive studies are needed before an association can be made.

If you’re experiencing loss of smell after COVID-19, speak with your doctor. They can help you determine what treatment option may be best for you.

*Jafari, A., & Holbrook, E. H. (2022, January 24). Therapies for Olfactory Dysfunction — an Update. Current Allergy and Asthma Reports, 22(3), 21–28. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11882-022-01028-z#article-info