How to Get Your Smell Back: Home Remedies, Treatments and More

Introduction

The sense of smell is an incredibly important part of life. It helps us identify food, recognize danger, and also plays a role in our emotional wellbeing. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for people to experience a sudden or gradual loss of smell, which can be quite disorienting. Knowing how to get your smell back can help you restore your sense of balance and safety.

Loss of smell, also known as anosmia, is defined as the inability to detect odors. It’s usually temporary and can be caused by a variety of factors, including nasal congestion, allergies, sinus problems, nasal polyps, and neurodegenerative diseases. In some cases, the cause of anosmia is unknown.

Home Remedies to Restore Your Sense of Smell

If you’re experiencing a temporary loss of smell, there are several home remedies that can help you get your smell back. These include using spices, herbs, essential oils, steam inhalation, and nasal irrigation.

Spices, Herbs and Essential Oils

Adding spices, herbs, and essential oils to your diet can help stimulate your sense of smell. According to research, “essential oils such as rose, peppermint, eucalyptus, and lemon have been used to treat olfactory dysfunction.” [1] You can add these ingredients to your cooking, diffuse them in the air, or even inhale them directly.

Steam Inhalation

Steam inhalation is another effective way to open up the nasal passages and help restore your sense of smell. Simply boil a pot of water, pour it into a bowl, and place a towel over your head to create a tent. Then, lean over the bowl and breathe in the steam for 10-15 minutes. This should help clear out any mucus or debris blocking your nasal passages.

Nasal Irrigation

Nasal irrigation is another great way to get your smell back. This involves using a neti pot to flush the nasal passages with a saline solution. This can help clear out any blockages and reduce inflammation, which can help restore your sense of smell. It’s important to use sterile saline solution and to rinse the neti pot after each use.

Visiting an Ear, Nose and Throat Specialist

If home remedies don’t help restore your sense of smell, it’s a good idea to visit an ear, nose and throat specialist. They will be able to diagnose the cause of your anosmia and recommend appropriate treatment options.

Diagnosing the Cause of Loss of Smell

An ear, nose and throat specialist can diagnose the cause of your loss of smell through a physical exam, allergy testing, imaging tests, or a nasal endoscopy. Once they have identified the underlying cause, they can recommend the best course of treatment.

Treatment Options

Depending on the cause of your anosmia, treatment can involve medications, surgery, or lifestyle changes. For example, if allergies or sinusitis are causing your loss of smell, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines or steroids to reduce inflammation. If you have nasal polyps, you may need to undergo surgery to remove them. Or, if you have a neurodegenerative disease, your doctor may recommend medications to slow the progression of the disease.

Allergies or Sinus Problems

Allergies or sinus problems can cause a temporary or permanent loss of smell. If you suspect that allergies are the cause of your anosmia, it’s a good idea to get tested. Allergy testing can help determine which allergens are triggering your symptoms, so you can avoid them in the future.

Allergy Testing

Allergy testing can be done with a skin prick test or a blood test. During a skin prick test, a tiny amount of allergen is placed on the skin and then pricked with a needle. If you have an allergy, you’ll develop a raised bump or hive at the site. A blood test can also be used to measure the levels of specific antibodies in the blood, which can indicate an allergy.

Treating Sinusitis

If sinusitis is causing your loss of smell, your doctor may recommend antibiotics, decongestants, or nasal sprays to reduce inflammation and help clear out the nasal passages. Surgery may also be recommended in more severe cases.

Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps are small growths that can form in the nasal passages and cause a temporary or permanent loss of smell. Symptoms of nasal polyps include a blocked or stuffy nose, sneezing, postnasal drip, and facial pain. If left untreated, they can cause permanent damage to the sense of smell.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of nasal polyps include a blocked or stuffy nose, sneezing, postnasal drip, and facial pain. If left untreated, they can cause permanent damage to the sense of smell.

Treatment Options

Treatment for nasal polyps typically involves medications such as corticosteroids or antihistamines. Surgery may also be recommended in more severe cases. According to research, “the success rate of surgical removal of nasal polyps is approximately 90%, with a recurrence rate of 20-50%.” [2]

Nasal Decongestants

Nasal decongestants can help reduce inflammation and open up the nasal passages, allowing you to breathe easier and potentially restore your sense of smell. There are both over-the-counter and prescription options available.

Over-the-Counter Options

Over-the-counter nasal decongestants come in the form of sprays, drops, or pills. Common ingredients include pseudoephedrine, oxymetazoline, and phenylephrine. It’s important to read the label carefully and follow the directions exactly.

Prescription Options

Prescription nasal decongestants are stronger than over-the-counter options and are typically prescribed for more severe cases of congestion. Common ingredients include epinephrine and phenylephrine. As with over-the-counter medications, it’s important to read the label carefully and follow the directions exactly.

Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Huntington’s disease can cause a loss of smell due to damage to the olfactory nerve. While these diseases cannot be cured, there are treatments that can help slow the progression of the disease and reduce the severity of symptoms.

Types of Neurodegenerative Diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases are conditions that cause progressive damage to the brain and nervous system. Common types of neurodegenerative diseases include Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and Huntington’s disease.

Treatment Options

Treatment for neurodegenerative diseases typically involves medications, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes. Medications can help slow the progression of the disease and reduce the severity of symptoms. Physical therapy can help improve mobility, while lifestyle changes such as eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise can help manage symptoms.

Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy is an alternative therapy that uses essential oils to promote relaxation and healing. Studies have found that certain essential oils can help stimulate the sense of smell and improve mood. [3]

Benefits of Aromatherapy

Aromatherapy has been found to provide a number of benefits, including improved mood, reduced anxiety, and better sleep. It can also help reduce inflammation and promote healing. [4]

How it Can Help Restore Sense of Smell

Aromatherapy can help restore your sense of smell by stimulating the olfactory nerve. Diffusing essential oils in the air or directly inhaling them can help open up the nasal passages and reduce inflammation, allowing you to breathe easier and potentially restoring your sense of smell.

Conclusion

Loss of smell can be caused by a variety of factors, from allergies to neurodegenerative diseases. Fortunately, there are a number of treatments and home remedies that can help restore your sense of smell. These include using spices, herbs, and essential oils, steam inhalation, nasal irrigation, visiting an ear, nose and throat specialist, treating allergies or sinus problems, treating nasal polyps, using nasal decongestants, and trying aromatherapy. With the right approach and treatment plan, you can get your smell back and enjoy all the pleasures of life.