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Retrain Your Nose: Smell Training After COVID-19
31 Aug
Summary
- Smell training aids olfactory system rehabilitation after trauma or virus.
- Over 3% of Americans experience distorted smell, many post-COVID.
- Training involves smelling four specific scents twice daily for weeks.
Smell training provides a method for rehabilitating the olfactory system, particularly useful after experiencing a loss or distortion of smell due to viruses or trauma. This therapy is recommended for individuals with sensorineural smell loss, where the olfactory nerve pathway is affected, rather than those with physical blockages in the nasal passages.
Over three percent of Americans are estimated to experience parosmia, a distorted sense of smell, with a significant number reporting this symptom after contracting COVID-19. While the condition often resolves on its own, smell training can be beneficial for persistent issues. It's crucial to distinguish sensorineural loss from obstructive loss, as the latter requires addressing the physical obstruction first.
The traditional smell training protocol involves smelling four distinct scents—rose, lemon, eucalyptus, and clove—twice a day for 20 seconds each. This process requires active concentration and recalling the original scent. While some data suggests effectiveness up to 32 weeks, the typical training duration is around 12 weeks, potentially leading to moderate improvements in scent perception.
Individuals experiencing prolonged smell issues, especially those lasting more than four weeks after a viral infection, should consult a doctor to find a specialist. Early evaluation is key for managing and potentially improving olfactory function.
