Losing your sense of smell can be very desperate, mainly because it is a symptom of COVID-19 – and also relatively common.
A 2020 study published in the journal PLOS Medicine found that 78% of the 567 people who experienced a loss of smell or taste in the previous month had positive results for antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 (the new coronavirus).
“I think that most people don’t necessarily recognize [a loss of smell] as a symptom of infection. They may just think it is strange and unrelated, ”Amesh A. Adalja, MD, senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Safety said earlier Prevention. “But it looks like a good indicator of COVID-19.”
However, the loss of smell (medically known as anosmia, which is usually accompanied by a loss of taste, or ageusia) can be rooted in other problems, including upper respiratory tract infections such as the common cold and, yes, even allergies.
As spring increases, you may feel confused if you have a sudden onset of symptoms, especially if they are new to you. Ahead, doctors explain the link between allergies and loss of smell in particular, in addition to what to do if you feel it.
Why do allergies cause loss of smell?
It has a lot to do with how allergies work in the first place. When you come into contact with something you are allergic to, a chain reaction occurs that starts in your genes and is expressed by your immune system, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI).
When your immune system detects an allergen, such as pollen or grass, it overreacts, producing antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies then travel to your cells, where they release chemicals called histamines – and these histamines trigger typical allergy symptoms, such as a stuffy nose, cough and itchy, watery eyes.
This is where the loss of smell comes in: the nerves that drive the sense of smell to the brain are located inside the nose, says Stanley Schwartz, MD, Ph.D., head of the Allergy-Immunology-Rheumatology division at Buffalo Jacobs University School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. When you are having an allergic reaction, these nerves can become inflamed and “it will cut your sense of smell,” he explains.
Allergies can also cause sinusitis, an inflammation of the sinuses, that is, the cranial cavities located around the eyes and behind the nose. “Sinusitis can cause your sinuses to become full of mucus,” says Dr. Schwartz, “and it can affect your ability to smell odors.”
Then there is the issue of dealing only with a stuffy nose due to allergies. “If you are very congested, you may notice a decrease in smell,” says allergist and immunologist Scott Feldman, MD, Ph.D., assistant professor of clinical medicine at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Uncontrolled inflammation of the sinuses due to severe allergies can also cause nasal polyps, or growths in the lining of the nose and sinuses, which can also impair smell, he says.
How to tell if your sense of smell is caused by allergies or COVID-19
COVID-19 is still spreading, so it is important to consider that the loss of smell may be due to a coronavirus infection. But as positive cases decline across the country and more people become fully vaccinated against the virus, it is entirely possible that the loss of smell or taste is caused by allergies.
So, how can you tell the difference? First, a loss of smell due to allergies ever it happens together with nasal congestion, points out Dr. Schwartz. In addition, if allergies are to blame, loss of smell will gradually occur, says Kara Wada, a doctor, allergist and immunologist at Ohio State University’s Wexner Medical Center. “The loss of COVID’s sense of smell is very sudden,” she says.
It is important to keep your personal history with seasonal allergies in mind as well. If you have struggled with them in the past and develop a loss of smell at the same time that you usually develop allergy symptoms, “this is worth considering,” says Dr. Wada.
If loss of smell or taste occurs in conjunction with other notable symptoms of coronavirus, especially fever, you should suspect that you may have COVID-19, says Richard Watkins, MD, an infectious doctor and professor of internal medicine at Northeast Ohio Medical University.
Can’t find out what’s going on? It is completely understandable, as the symptoms of COVID-19 and allergies tend to overlap. In that case, your doctor can help provide guidance. They will be able to obtain a detailed history of your symptoms and previous experiences with allergies. From there, they will probably recommend taking the COVID-19 test, just in case.
What can you do if allergies cause loss of smell or taste?
If you have tested negative for COVID-19 or are sure that your allergies are behind your loss of smell and taste because it has happened before, there are some things you can do to get relief.
✔️ Do your best to avoid your triggers.
This can be tricky if you are allergic to external allergens, such as pollen. But, if you can, Dr. Schwartz recommends staying indoors with your air conditioner or air purifier running when pollen counts are high in your area. Do you need to leave? Wear a face mask, even when you are not around other people. This can help to filter out the irritating particles so that you can breathe a little more easily and, preferably, prevent the onset of symptoms.
✔️ Try using a nasal spray.
A low-dose steroid nasal spray and regular use, such as fluticasone (Flonase), can help. “It doesn’t cure your allergies, but it does reduce inflammation that can lead to loss of smell,” says Dr. Schwartz.
Saline sprays are another lightweight option that can be useful in helping to clean up dirt and allergens that may be lurking in your sinuses and nasal cavity, says Dr. Wada.
Azelastine (Astepro) is a nasal antihistamine that is also “quite effective” in combating allergy symptoms, says Dr. Schwartz. With them, “you don’t have to use it continuously – just use it on and off when you need to,” he explains, but you need a prescription to get your hands on it.
✔️ Look for an oral antihistamine.
Although Dr. Feldman recommends using a nasal antihistamine or spray first, he says that an antihistamine pill can help if you find no relief with a spray solution. These drugs block histamine to prevent allergy symptoms in the first place. Try Claritin or Zyrtec for non-drowsy options.
✔️ If all else fails, see your doctor.
If you are struggling with loss of smell or taste due to allergies and home remedies are not working, talk to your doctor. They will be able to offer personalized suggestions to help you find relief.
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