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| Meta Title | Regaining your sense of taste and smell after COVID-19 | HealthPartners Blog | |||||||||
| Meta Description | COVID-19 can affect how some people smell and taste, even after they recover. Learn why it happens, how long symptoms last and how to speed up recovery. | |||||||||
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| Boilerpipe Text | COVID-19 can disrupt your senses, including your ability to taste and smell. But even after people recover, these senses donât always come back immediately or sometimes return in an unexpected way.
Without taste and smell, itâs hard to
feel like youâre actually better. And if everything smells bad, that makes things even worse.
Many happy memories are tied to our sense of smell. Social activities are often surrounded by food, cooking and baking. Smell enriches our sense of taste, adds more subtlety to flavors and, of course, stimulates salivation. Itâs common to feel sad and discouraged when you canât take part in these activities â or even just fully enjoy a good meal â like you used to.
Fortunately, changes to taste and smell arenât forever for most people. Plus, there are treatments that may help speed recovery. Read on to learn more about why some people have these symptoms and what you can do to help get back your senses.
How COVID-19 affects your ability to smell and taste
How
COVID-19
changes your smell and taste remains unknown. The good news is COVID-19 doesnât seem to affect the olfactory sensory nerves responsible for smell or your taste buds.
Instead, the coronavirus seems to affect the supporting cells that surround the olfactory nerve. When these support cells arenât working correctly, it can block the olfactory nerveâs signals from getting to your brain, causing loss or change to your sense of smell.
Because about 80% of what we taste comes from what we smell, loss of smell often leads to loss of taste. Without our sense of smell, we can only taste broad flavors â sweet, salty, sour, bitter and savory.
Your sense of smell can be affected in different ways from COVID-19. There are three conditions that you may experience:
Anosmia â complete loss of smell
Anosmia is complete loss of smell and is often one of the earliest signs of a COVID-19 infection.
Studies estimate
 that up to 60% of people experience anosmia when infected with COVID-19. Anosmia can also be caused by growths in your nose and other illnesses such as a
cold or flu
.
Hyposmia â reduced sense of smell
If you have hyposmia, you may be able to smell some things but not others, so itâs possible you can have this condition without realizing it. Studies show that many people with COVID-19 have hyposmia, even though they think their sense of smell is fine. This condition is also caused by aging, medical conditions and illness.
If you had complete loss of smell from COVID-19, you may experience hyposmia during the recovery process since the ability to smell often comes back gradually. As it does, there may be times that youâll only be able to smell or taste things with strong odors.
Parosmia â distorted sense of smell
Itâs also possible that things may smell differently as you recover from COVID-19 â and not in a good way. If you find yourself wondering why everything smells disgusting, you may have parosmia after COVID-19.
If you have parosmia, things that normally have a pleasant smell (or no smell) suddenly smell bad or rotten. The âCOVID smellâ from parosmia is generally a burnt chemical odor but it might be different for you. Some people with parosmia after COVID-19 describe the smell as rotten food, garbage or ammonia
.
The âCOVID smellâ seems to be especially bad if youâre around coffee, onions, garlic, meat, citrus, toothpaste and toiletries.
About 7% of people who have loss of taste and smell during COVID-19 end up with parosmia,
according to one study
. Parosmia can also be a symptom of respiratory infection, seizures or brain tumors.
When does the sense of smell come back after COVID-19?
Loss of smell can be one of the most persistent
symptoms of long COVID-19
. Most people get better in a few weeks, but for some people, it can take longer â sometimes over a year.
In one study
, about 25% of people who lost their sense of smell hadnât regained it within 60 days of getting sick. But after a few months, the number of people who did regain their sense of smell increased dramatically.
In another study
, 86% of patients had regained their sense of smell by four months; by 12 months, that number jumped to 96%.
When does parosmia after COVID-19 start?
A distorted sense of smell typically appears two to three months after COVID-19, often when you thought you were mostly recovered. It may seem like your sense of smell is coming back, little by little, and then suddenly everything smells terrible. Or, you may go from smelling nothing at all to smelling only horrible odors. Most people get over parosmia in about three months, but it can last for six months or more.
Can COVID-19 cause permanent loss of smell and taste?
Itâs unlikely, since COVID-19 doesnât appear to damage olfactory nerves or taste buds directly â it only affects the cells that support your olfactory nerves.
Your body is great at rebuilding nerve support cells. Over time, the ones supporting your olfactory nerves should completely heal themselves.
However, itâs possible you may need to retrain your brain to interpret signals it hasnât experienced for a while.
When does taste come back after COVID-19?
The good news is that once your sense of smell is back to normal, youâll be able to taste things the same way you did before.
Your ability to smell and taste will most likely come back on their own after a while. But if youâd like to speed things along, there are some things you can try.
Clearing up sinus inflammation
If changes to your sense of smell stick around longer than your other COVID-19 symptoms, it might be caused by inflammation in your nose. These at-home treatments can help:
Saline rinses with a neti pot
For this treatment, youâll combine a small amount of special salt with warm distilled water in a pot that looks a bit like a genieâs lamp. When everything is mixed, you pour the solution through your nasal cavities.
Rinsing out your nasal cavities in this way clears out the mucus or debris in your nose that may be causing inflammation. You can find neti pots online or in your local store near
treatments for seasonal allergies
.
Often neti pots come with packets of the salt mixture youâll need. But if not, look for salt designed for nasal cleansing or neti pots. Youâll also want to pick up distilled water from the store. Tap water and filtered water arenât safe to use with your neti pot, because they contain microbes that may affect your nasal passages and, potentially, your brain.
Nasal sprays to reduce inflammation
An over-the-counter nasal steroid spray like Flonase or Nasacort may be another option to clear up sinus inflammation. These sprays start working quickly and are generally safe, especially if youâre only taking them for a short amount of time. There are some people who shouldnât use nasal sprays. So, before picking one up, itâs a good idea to ask your doctor if itâs a good treatment for you.
Retraining your sense of smell
Itâs also possible that your brain may have âforgottenâ how to smell. As a result, you might not smell anything, or you may have a distorted sense of smell. A forgetful brain may sound serious, but remember, your brain is constantly learning and relearning.
So, how can you train your senses to smell again after COVID-19? Smell therapy can help â the process involves smelling different strong scents for at least 20 seconds while thinking about memories and experiences involving the scent. We generally recommend rose, lemon, clove and eucalyptus essential oils because the smells are strong and distinctive.
Just keep in mind that it can take three months or longer to notice improvements with smell therapy. Itâs important to stick with it.
How can a medical professional help me recover taste and smell after COVID-19?
It may take a long time to start noticing improvements in your taste and smell. But having the support of a doctor or clinician to explain
long haul COVID treatment
can make the process easier.
Start by
making an appointment with your primary care doctor
. Theyâll talk with you about your medical history, how long youâve been experiencing taste and smell issues, and your treatment goals. Theyâll also conduct an exam or order any tests that can help understand your condition and make the best treatment plan.
Then based on your symptoms and goals, your primary care doctor can help identify other specialists who may be able to help, including:
Occupational therapist
â When you work with an
occupational therapist
, youâll get exercises, education and personalized instruction to help you regain or fix your sense of smell. In some cases, they may also use different forms of manual therapy to improve how your olfactory nerves work.
Ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor
â If youâre suffering from anosmia, you may also want to make an appointment with an
ear, nose and throat doctor
. Theyâll be able to discuss other possible treatment options and ongoing clinical trials.
Alternative treatments may also be an option. For example, acupuncture may help get you smelling again. During an acupuncture procedure, your specialist will place thin, hair-like needles in different locations on your face and gently move them around.
Does insurance cover therapy for loss of taste and smell?
Occupational therapy for loss of taste and smell is often covered by insurance, but any costs youâre responsible for will depend on your coverage. Thatâs why itâs a good idea to contact your insurance company before making an appointment with a doctor.
Learn to taste and smell again after COVID-19
Getting back to living your best life after COVID-19 can be hard if you canât taste and smell. Fortunately, recovery is almost always possible.
If youâd like personalized treatment to recover your taste and smell after COVID-19, weâre here to help. Our doctors and clinicians are ready to work with you to bring back your senses so you can start tasting food, smelling flowers and enjoying life to the fullest. | |||||||||
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[HealthPartners Home](https://www.healthpartners.com/) / [Blog](https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/) / [Infectious illnesses](https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/topic/infectious-illnesses/) / How to regain sense of...
# How to regain sense of smell and taste after COVID-19
6 min read
**by HealthPartners**
COVID-19 can disrupt your senses, including your ability to taste and smell. But even after people recover, these senses donât always come back immediately or sometimes return in an unexpected way.
Without taste and smell, itâs hard tofeel like youâre actually better. And if everything smells bad, that makes things even worse.
Many happy memories are tied to our sense of smell. Social activities are often surrounded by food, cooking and baking. Smell enriches our sense of taste, adds more subtlety to flavors and, of course, stimulates salivation. Itâs common to feel sad and discouraged when you canât take part in these activities â or even just fully enjoy a good meal â like you used to.
Fortunately, changes to taste and smell arenât forever for most people. Plus, there are treatments that may help speed recovery. Read on to learn more about why some people have these symptoms and what you can do to help get back your senses.
## How COVID-19 affects your ability to smell and taste
How [COVID-19](https://www.healthpartners.com/covid-19/) changes your smell and taste remains unknown. The good news is COVID-19 doesnât seem to affect the olfactory sensory nerves responsible for smell or your taste buds.
Instead, the coronavirus seems to affect the supporting cells that surround the olfactory nerve. When these support cells arenât working correctly, it can block the olfactory nerveâs signals from getting to your brain, causing loss or change to your sense of smell.
Because about 80% of what we taste comes from what we smell, loss of smell often leads to loss of taste. Without our sense of smell, we can only taste broad flavors â sweet, salty, sour, bitter and savory.
Your sense of smell can be affected in different ways from COVID-19. There are three conditions that you may experience:
### Anosmia â complete loss of smell
Anosmia is complete loss of smell and is often one of the earliest signs of a COVID-19 infection. [Studies estimate](https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.14814/phy2.14578) that up to 60% of people experience anosmia when infected with COVID-19. Anosmia can also be caused by growths in your nose and other illnesses such as a [cold or flu](https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/cold-vs-flu-how-to-spot-the-symptoms/).
### Hyposmia â reduced sense of smell
If you have hyposmia, you may be able to smell some things but not others, so itâs possible you can have this condition without realizing it. Studies show that many people with COVID-19 have hyposmia, even though they think their sense of smell is fine. This condition is also caused by aging, medical conditions and illness.
If you had complete loss of smell from COVID-19, you may experience hyposmia during the recovery process since the ability to smell often comes back gradually. As it does, there may be times that youâll only be able to smell or taste things with strong odors.
### Parosmia â distorted sense of smell
Itâs also possible that things may smell differently as you recover from COVID-19 â and not in a good way. If you find yourself wondering why everything smells disgusting, you may have parosmia after COVID-19.
If you have parosmia, things that normally have a pleasant smell (or no smell) suddenly smell bad or rotten. The âCOVID smellâ from parosmia is generally a burnt chemical odor but it might be different for you. Some people with parosmia after COVID-19 describe the smell as rotten food, garbage or ammonia**.** The âCOVID smellâ seems to be especially bad if youâre around coffee, onions, garlic, meat, citrus, toothpaste and toiletries.
About 7% of people who have loss of taste and smell during COVID-19 end up with parosmia, [according to one study](https://academic.oup.com/chemse/article/45/7/609/5860460). Parosmia can also be a symptom of respiratory infection, seizures or brain tumors.
## When does the sense of smell come back after COVID-19?
Loss of smell can be one of the most persistent [symptoms of long COVID-19](https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/long-haul-covid-19-symptoms/). Most people get better in a few weeks, but for some people, it can take longer â sometimes over a year.
[In one study](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joim.13209), about 25% of people who lost their sense of smell hadnât regained it within 60 days of getting sick. But after a few months, the number of people who did regain their sense of smell increased dramatically. [In another study](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2781319), 86% of patients had regained their sense of smell by four months; by 12 months, that number jumped to 96%.
### When does parosmia after COVID-19 start?
A distorted sense of smell typically appears two to three months after COVID-19, often when you thought you were mostly recovered. It may seem like your sense of smell is coming back, little by little, and then suddenly everything smells terrible. Or, you may go from smelling nothing at all to smelling only horrible odors. Most people get over parosmia in about three months, but it can last for six months or more.
### Can COVID-19 cause permanent loss of smell and taste?
Itâs unlikely, since COVID-19 doesnât appear to damage olfactory nerves or taste buds directly â it only affects the cells that support your olfactory nerves.
Your body is great at rebuilding nerve support cells. Over time, the ones supporting your olfactory nerves should completely heal themselves.
However, itâs possible you may need to retrain your brain to interpret signals it hasnât experienced for a while.
### When does taste come back after COVID-19?
The good news is that once your sense of smell is back to normal, youâll be able to taste things the same way you did before.
## How can I get my sense of smell and taste back after COVID-19?
Your ability to smell and taste will most likely come back on their own after a while. But if youâd like to speed things along, there are some things you can try.
### Clearing up sinus inflammation
If changes to your sense of smell stick around longer than your other COVID-19 symptoms, it might be caused by inflammation in your nose. These at-home treatments can help:
### Saline rinses with a neti pot
For this treatment, youâll combine a small amount of special salt with warm distilled water in a pot that looks a bit like a genieâs lamp. When everything is mixed, you pour the solution through your nasal cavities.
Rinsing out your nasal cavities in this way clears out the mucus or debris in your nose that may be causing inflammation. You can find neti pots online or in your local store near [treatments for seasonal allergies](https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/how-to-treat-and-relieve-seasonal-allergies/).
Often neti pots come with packets of the salt mixture youâll need. But if not, look for salt designed for nasal cleansing or neti pots. Youâll also want to pick up distilled water from the store. Tap water and filtered water arenât safe to use with your neti pot, because they contain microbes that may affect your nasal passages and, potentially, your brain.
### Nasal sprays to reduce inflammation
An over-the-counter nasal steroid spray like Flonase or Nasacort may be another option to clear up sinus inflammation. These sprays start working quickly and are generally safe, especially if youâre only taking them for a short amount of time. There are some people who shouldnât use nasal sprays. So, before picking one up, itâs a good idea to ask your doctor if itâs a good treatment for you.
### Retraining your sense of smell
Itâs also possible that your brain may have âforgottenâ how to smell. As a result, you might not smell anything, or you may have a distorted sense of smell. A forgetful brain may sound serious, but remember, your brain is constantly learning and relearning.
So, how can you train your senses to smell again after COVID-19? Smell therapy can help â the process involves smelling different strong scents for at least 20 seconds while thinking about memories and experiences involving the scent. We generally recommend rose, lemon, clove and eucalyptus essential oils because the smells are strong and distinctive.
Just keep in mind that it can take three months or longer to notice improvements with smell therapy. Itâs important to stick with it.
## How can a medical professional help me recover taste and smell after COVID-19?
It may take a long time to start noticing improvements in your taste and smell. But having the support of a doctor or clinician to explain [long haul COVID treatment](https://www.healthpartners.com/covid-19/long-haul-covid-19/) can make the process easier.
Start by [making an appointment with your primary care doctor](https://www.healthpartners.com/care/appointments/start?main=primary-care). Theyâll talk with you about your medical history, how long youâve been experiencing taste and smell issues, and your treatment goals. Theyâll also conduct an exam or order any tests that can help understand your condition and make the best treatment plan.
Get help for lasting post-COVID-19 taste and smell issues
[Make a primary care appointment](https://www.healthpartners.com/care/appointments/start?main=primary-care)
Then based on your symptoms and goals, your primary care doctor can help identify other specialists who may be able to help, including:
- **Occupational therapist** â When you work with an [occupational therapist](https://www.healthpartners.com/care/specialty/occupational-medicine/), youâll get exercises, education and personalized instruction to help you regain or fix your sense of smell. In some cases, they may also use different forms of manual therapy to improve how your olfactory nerves work.
- **Ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor** â If youâre suffering from anosmia, you may also want to make an appointment with an [ear, nose and throat doctor](https://www.healthpartners.com/care/specialty/otolaryngology/). Theyâll be able to discuss other possible treatment options and ongoing clinical trials.
Alternative treatments may also be an option. For example, acupuncture may help get you smelling again. During an acupuncture procedure, your specialist will place thin, hair-like needles in different locations on your face and gently move them around.
### Does insurance cover therapy for loss of taste and smell?
Occupational therapy for loss of taste and smell is often covered by insurance, but any costs youâre responsible for will depend on your coverage. Thatâs why itâs a good idea to contact your insurance company before making an appointment with a doctor.
## Learn to taste and smell again after COVID-19
Getting back to living your best life after COVID-19 can be hard if you canât taste and smell. Fortunately, recovery is almost always possible.
If youâd like personalized treatment to recover your taste and smell after COVID-19, weâre here to help. Our doctors and clinicians are ready to work with you to bring back your senses so you can start tasting food, smelling flowers and enjoying life to the fullest.
Get help for lasting post-COVID-19 taste and smell issues
[Make a primary care appointment](https://www.healthpartners.com/care/appointments/start?main=primary-care)
Share
## Related posts
## [Fatigue after COVID-19: Possible symptoms and treatment plan](https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/how-long-does-fatigue-last-after-covid-19/)
Why am I still so tired? When will my post COVID-19 fatigue go way? These arenât unusual questions from people \[âŠ\]
## [COVID-19 effects on your brain: Why you may have brain fog, mental fatigue, and headaches](https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/what-covid-19-does-to-the-brain/)
Even after recovering from COVID-19, some people find the illness can continue to impact the way their brain functions. Confusion, \[âŠ\]
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| Readable Markdown | COVID-19 can disrupt your senses, including your ability to taste and smell. But even after people recover, these senses donât always come back immediately or sometimes return in an unexpected way.
Without taste and smell, itâs hard tofeel like youâre actually better. And if everything smells bad, that makes things even worse.
Many happy memories are tied to our sense of smell. Social activities are often surrounded by food, cooking and baking. Smell enriches our sense of taste, adds more subtlety to flavors and, of course, stimulates salivation. Itâs common to feel sad and discouraged when you canât take part in these activities â or even just fully enjoy a good meal â like you used to.
Fortunately, changes to taste and smell arenât forever for most people. Plus, there are treatments that may help speed recovery. Read on to learn more about why some people have these symptoms and what you can do to help get back your senses.
## How COVID-19 affects your ability to smell and taste
How [COVID-19](https://www.healthpartners.com/covid-19/) changes your smell and taste remains unknown. The good news is COVID-19 doesnât seem to affect the olfactory sensory nerves responsible for smell or your taste buds.
Instead, the coronavirus seems to affect the supporting cells that surround the olfactory nerve. When these support cells arenât working correctly, it can block the olfactory nerveâs signals from getting to your brain, causing loss or change to your sense of smell.
Because about 80% of what we taste comes from what we smell, loss of smell often leads to loss of taste. Without our sense of smell, we can only taste broad flavors â sweet, salty, sour, bitter and savory.
Your sense of smell can be affected in different ways from COVID-19. There are three conditions that you may experience:
### Anosmia â complete loss of smell
Anosmia is complete loss of smell and is often one of the earliest signs of a COVID-19 infection. [Studies estimate](https://physoc.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.14814/phy2.14578) that up to 60% of people experience anosmia when infected with COVID-19. Anosmia can also be caused by growths in your nose and other illnesses such as a [cold or flu](https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/cold-vs-flu-how-to-spot-the-symptoms/).
### Hyposmia â reduced sense of smell
If you have hyposmia, you may be able to smell some things but not others, so itâs possible you can have this condition without realizing it. Studies show that many people with COVID-19 have hyposmia, even though they think their sense of smell is fine. This condition is also caused by aging, medical conditions and illness.
If you had complete loss of smell from COVID-19, you may experience hyposmia during the recovery process since the ability to smell often comes back gradually. As it does, there may be times that youâll only be able to smell or taste things with strong odors.
### Parosmia â distorted sense of smell
Itâs also possible that things may smell differently as you recover from COVID-19 â and not in a good way. If you find yourself wondering why everything smells disgusting, you may have parosmia after COVID-19.
If you have parosmia, things that normally have a pleasant smell (or no smell) suddenly smell bad or rotten. The âCOVID smellâ from parosmia is generally a burnt chemical odor but it might be different for you. Some people with parosmia after COVID-19 describe the smell as rotten food, garbage or ammonia**.** The âCOVID smellâ seems to be especially bad if youâre around coffee, onions, garlic, meat, citrus, toothpaste and toiletries.
About 7% of people who have loss of taste and smell during COVID-19 end up with parosmia, [according to one study](https://academic.oup.com/chemse/article/45/7/609/5860460). Parosmia can also be a symptom of respiratory infection, seizures or brain tumors.
## When does the sense of smell come back after COVID-19?
Loss of smell can be one of the most persistent [symptoms of long COVID-19](https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/long-haul-covid-19-symptoms/). Most people get better in a few weeks, but for some people, it can take longer â sometimes over a year.
[In one study](https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/joim.13209), about 25% of people who lost their sense of smell hadnât regained it within 60 days of getting sick. But after a few months, the number of people who did regain their sense of smell increased dramatically. [In another study](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2781319), 86% of patients had regained their sense of smell by four months; by 12 months, that number jumped to 96%.
### When does parosmia after COVID-19 start?
A distorted sense of smell typically appears two to three months after COVID-19, often when you thought you were mostly recovered. It may seem like your sense of smell is coming back, little by little, and then suddenly everything smells terrible. Or, you may go from smelling nothing at all to smelling only horrible odors. Most people get over parosmia in about three months, but it can last for six months or more.
### Can COVID-19 cause permanent loss of smell and taste?
Itâs unlikely, since COVID-19 doesnât appear to damage olfactory nerves or taste buds directly â it only affects the cells that support your olfactory nerves.
Your body is great at rebuilding nerve support cells. Over time, the ones supporting your olfactory nerves should completely heal themselves.
However, itâs possible you may need to retrain your brain to interpret signals it hasnât experienced for a while.
### When does taste come back after COVID-19?
The good news is that once your sense of smell is back to normal, youâll be able to taste things the same way you did before.
Your ability to smell and taste will most likely come back on their own after a while. But if youâd like to speed things along, there are some things you can try.
### Clearing up sinus inflammation
If changes to your sense of smell stick around longer than your other COVID-19 symptoms, it might be caused by inflammation in your nose. These at-home treatments can help:
### Saline rinses with a neti pot
For this treatment, youâll combine a small amount of special salt with warm distilled water in a pot that looks a bit like a genieâs lamp. When everything is mixed, you pour the solution through your nasal cavities.
Rinsing out your nasal cavities in this way clears out the mucus or debris in your nose that may be causing inflammation. You can find neti pots online or in your local store near [treatments for seasonal allergies](https://www.healthpartners.com/blog/how-to-treat-and-relieve-seasonal-allergies/).
Often neti pots come with packets of the salt mixture youâll need. But if not, look for salt designed for nasal cleansing or neti pots. Youâll also want to pick up distilled water from the store. Tap water and filtered water arenât safe to use with your neti pot, because they contain microbes that may affect your nasal passages and, potentially, your brain.
### Nasal sprays to reduce inflammation
An over-the-counter nasal steroid spray like Flonase or Nasacort may be another option to clear up sinus inflammation. These sprays start working quickly and are generally safe, especially if youâre only taking them for a short amount of time. There are some people who shouldnât use nasal sprays. So, before picking one up, itâs a good idea to ask your doctor if itâs a good treatment for you.
### Retraining your sense of smell
Itâs also possible that your brain may have âforgottenâ how to smell. As a result, you might not smell anything, or you may have a distorted sense of smell. A forgetful brain may sound serious, but remember, your brain is constantly learning and relearning.
So, how can you train your senses to smell again after COVID-19? Smell therapy can help â the process involves smelling different strong scents for at least 20 seconds while thinking about memories and experiences involving the scent. We generally recommend rose, lemon, clove and eucalyptus essential oils because the smells are strong and distinctive.
Just keep in mind that it can take three months or longer to notice improvements with smell therapy. Itâs important to stick with it.
## How can a medical professional help me recover taste and smell after COVID-19?
It may take a long time to start noticing improvements in your taste and smell. But having the support of a doctor or clinician to explain [long haul COVID treatment](https://www.healthpartners.com/covid-19/long-haul-covid-19/) can make the process easier.
Start by [making an appointment with your primary care doctor](https://www.healthpartners.com/care/appointments/start?main=primary-care). Theyâll talk with you about your medical history, how long youâve been experiencing taste and smell issues, and your treatment goals. Theyâll also conduct an exam or order any tests that can help understand your condition and make the best treatment plan.
Then based on your symptoms and goals, your primary care doctor can help identify other specialists who may be able to help, including:
- **Occupational therapist** â When you work with an [occupational therapist](https://www.healthpartners.com/care/specialty/occupational-medicine/), youâll get exercises, education and personalized instruction to help you regain or fix your sense of smell. In some cases, they may also use different forms of manual therapy to improve how your olfactory nerves work.
- **Ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctor** â If youâre suffering from anosmia, you may also want to make an appointment with an [ear, nose and throat doctor](https://www.healthpartners.com/care/specialty/otolaryngology/). Theyâll be able to discuss other possible treatment options and ongoing clinical trials.
Alternative treatments may also be an option. For example, acupuncture may help get you smelling again. During an acupuncture procedure, your specialist will place thin, hair-like needles in different locations on your face and gently move them around.
### Does insurance cover therapy for loss of taste and smell?
Occupational therapy for loss of taste and smell is often covered by insurance, but any costs youâre responsible for will depend on your coverage. Thatâs why itâs a good idea to contact your insurance company before making an appointment with a doctor.
## Learn to taste and smell again after COVID-19
Getting back to living your best life after COVID-19 can be hard if you canât taste and smell. Fortunately, recovery is almost always possible.
If youâd like personalized treatment to recover your taste and smell after COVID-19, weâre here to help. Our doctors and clinicians are ready to work with you to bring back your senses so you can start tasting food, smelling flowers and enjoying life to the fullest. | |||||||||
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