What is anosmia?

Anosmia is the medical word for losing your sense of smell.

If you still have some sense of smell, it's called hyposmia.

Your sense of smell is connected to your sense of taste. If you have anosmia, the taste of food and drinks may be different.

What are the symptoms of anosmia?

If you have anosmia, you can't smell anything. Because smell and taste are connected, food and drinks may taste bland or have less flavour.

Other symptoms you may have depend on what is causing your loss of smell.

What causes anosmia?

Anosmia and hyposmia can happen for many reasons.

For most people, anosmia happens as they get older. Some people are born without a sense of smell.

Common causes include:

• head or face injuries
• certain infections, such as a cold, influenza (the flu) or COVID-19
• exposure to certain chemicals or medicines
• drug use, such as cocaine
• smoking

Health conditions that may cause anosmia include:

• brain tumours
• nasal or sinus issues, such as nasal polyps or chronic sinusitis
• hay fever
• kidney failure
• nutritional or hormonal conditions, such as hypothyroidism, diabetes or Cushing's syndrome
• neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease

When should I see my doctor?

It's common to lose your sense of smell for a short time when you have an infection, such as a cold. It will usually get better within a few weeks. See your doctor if your sense of smell doesn't come back after a few weeks.

It's also a good idea to see your doctor if:

• you notice any sudden or unexplained change to your sense of smell
• the loss of smell is affecting your wellbeing
• you are worried about how long it's taking to get better

How is anosmia diagnosed?

To find out what's causing your loss of smell, your doctor may:

• ask about your symptoms
• examine your nose, mouth and throat
• do tests, such as a blood test or a computed tomography (CT) scan to help make the diagnosis
• refer you to a specialist, called an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist

The ENT specialist might look into your nose, mouth and throat with a medical instrument called an endoscope. They may also do a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan.

How is anosmia treated?

Often, there is no specific treatment for anosmia and the cause may be irreversible. Treatment options may depend on what caused your loss of smell.

If there's a blockage or inflammation, treatment may include:

• rinsing your nose (nasal douching)
• steroid medicines
• antihistamines
• antibiotics
• surgery

If anosmia is caused by something else, your doctor may suggest smell training. This is also called 'repeated scent exposure training' and 'olfactory training'. This means regularly smelling different scents to help your brain learn to recognise them again.

Living with anosmia

Living with anosmia may be challenging, but there are things you can do to stay safe and feel better.

You might not be able to smell smoke, gas or rotten food. Here are some helpful tips:

• Install and check smoke and gas alarms often.
• Read food expiry dates and label leftovers with the date.
• Check that cookers, barbecues and electrical appliances are turned off properly.
• Use cooking timers and safe appliances.

Losing your sense of smell may affect how you feel. Here are tips that may help you:

• Talk to someone you trust if you're feeling sad or worried.
• Join a support group to meet people who understand what it's like.
• Consider talking to a counsellor.

What are the complications of anosmia?

If you have anosmia, you may notice changes to your daily life:

• Food may taste bland, which may affect your appetite.
• You may find mealtimes less enjoyable, especially if you usually spend time with family and friends over meals.
• You might worry about eating food that has gone bad or not noticing dangerous smells, such as gas or smoke.

These changes and worries may affect your mental health.

Can anosmia be prevented?

Here's how you can help protect your sense of smell:

• avoid certain chemicals
• don't use illicit drugs
• quit smoking

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if any medicine you take may cause anosmia.

Resources and support

• Beyond Blue provides support for people coping with the emotional and psychological impacts of sensory loss.
• Headspace provides support for young people coping with the emotional and psychological impacts of sensory loss.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.