🕷️ Crawler Inspector

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Direct Parameter Lookup

Raw Queries and Responses

1. Shard Calculation

Query:

Response:

Calculated Shard: 142 (from laksa031)

2. Crawled Status Check

Query:

curl -X POST \
  'http://laksa142.int.ahrefs:8124/' \
  -H 'Content-Type: text/plain' \
  -H 'X-ClickHouse-Database: crawler3' \
  -H 'Authorization: Basic YXBpOg==' \
  -d 'SELECT getAhrefsURLFromUnparsed(src_unparsed) AS found_url, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(download_stamp), 0) AS crawl_time, ifNull(toUnixTimestamp(props_url_first_seen), 0) AS first_indexed_time, download_http_code AS http_code, src_unparsed AS src_unparsed, src_root_hash AS src_root_hash, history_drop_reason AS history_drop_reason, meta_title AS meta_title, meta_descriptions AS meta_descriptions, attrs_boilerpipe_text AS attrs_boilerpipe_text, attrs_markdown AS attrs_markdown, attrs_readable_markdown AS attrs_readable_markdown, meta_canonical AS meta_canonical FROM crawler3.page_info_local FINAL PREWHERE (src_root_hash, src_unparsed) IN ((getAhrefsRootHashFromUnparsed(getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.webmd.com/brain/what-is-parosmia\')), getAhrefsUnparsedNoserviceFromURL(\'https://www.webmd.com/brain/what-is-parosmia\'))) FORMAT JSONEachRow'

Response:

{"found_url":"https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/what-is-parosmia","crawl_time":1768263465,"first_indexed_time":0,"http_code":200,"src_unparsed":"com,webmd!www,\/brain\/what-is-parosmia s443","src_root_hash":"18365360746078618142","history_drop_reason":null,"meta_title":"What Is Parosmia?","meta_descriptions":["Parosmia affects how smells are perceived, often after viral infections. Find out what triggers it, how it’s diagnosed, and treatment options"],"attrs_boilerpipe_text":"Parosmia is a disorder in which the odors of certain things are distorted. It often makes things smell bad or even disgusting. For example, when you sniff a banana, instead of a fruity and pleasant aroma, it might smell like rotting flesh.\nYou get parosmia when smell receptor cells in your nose, called olfactory sensory neurons, don’t detect odors and translate them to \nyour brain\nthe way they should.\nBacterial or \nviral infections, \nincluding COVID-19, are the most common causes of parosmia. But head injuries and certain brain conditions can cause it, too.\nParosmia is usually temporary. But it can affect your appetite, state of mind, and quality of life.\nWhen smell receptor cells in your nose get damaged, this changes the way your brain interprets scents. \n“The analogy is, if you have a piano and cut some strings in the back, you’ll get a discordant sound instead of something pleasant,” says Richard Doty, PhD, director of the Smell and Taste Center at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center.\nParosmia affects everyone differently. Most people find that it changes the way common foods, household items, and even body odor smell. For some people, things just smell a bit off. But for others, once-pleasant scents become unbearable, taking on a rotten, burnt, sewage, or metallic smell.\nSince your sense of smell is closely connected to your sense of taste, parosmia can also change how food tastes.\nPossible triggers for parosmia include:\nCoffee\nOnions \nGarlic \nFried, roasted, or browned meat\nEggs\nToothpaste\nBell peppers \nCucumbers \nChocolate\nFruit, especially citrus fruits and melons\nGasoline\nTobacco\nPerfume\nSeveral things may cause parosmia. They can include:\nUpper respiratory infections, such as\ncolds\nViruses such as the flu or COVID\nHead injuries\nSinus\ninfections\nCertain toxins\n, including pollution and smoking\nSome\ndrugs\n, including cancer treatments, certain antidepressants, and benzodiazepines \nSeizures\nin a part of the brain called the temporal lobe\nConstant\ndry mouth\nBrain tumors, though this is rare\nLoss of smell or taste is a common symptom of COVID, especially in the early stages of the infection. Some people lose these senses completely, while others only have partial changes. Doctors have a few different terms to describe these kinds of changes:\nHyposmia: A partial loss of smell\nHypogeusia: A partial loss of taste\nAnosmia\n: A complete loss of smell\nAgeusia: A complete loss of taste\nMost people who have these symptoms of COVID find that their senses go back to normal over time. But for others, the changes stick around for weeks or even months after the infection.\nParosmia can also affect people who’ve had COVID, though it usually shows up after the initial infection. One study found that nearly half of the people who lost their sense of smell from COVID developed parosmia later on. On average, it shows up two to three months after an initial infection. But for many, smell disruptions can last at least six months.\nSome people have described the “COVID smell” as “foul,” “rancid,” or similar to “rotting flesh.”\nCOVID is thought to cause parosmia by damaging nerves that help you detect odors. Both the virus itself and the inflammation it causes may lead to this damage.\n“COVID is a two-edged sword,” says Doty. “The good news is that it has opened people’s realization of how important the sensory system is.”\nYour senses affect so much of your daily life, from sharing meals with friends to simple routines, such as brewing a morning cup of coffee. Pleasant scents can lift your mood. But a distorted \nsense of smell\ncan lead to problems such as:\nLoss of appetite\nWeight loss\nDepression\nParosmia could make socializing unpleasant, especially in settings that involve food. It can also make household tasks like cooking and cleaning difficult. You might even feel repulsed by the smell of your own body.\nA distorted sense of smell can also be a safety risk. You might not notice signs such as spoiled food, smoke, or a gas leak. For people whose jobs rely on a sharp sense of smell, such as chefs, perfumers, and firefighters, parosmia may make it harder to do their work.\nIf your doctor thinks you have parosmia, they’ll do a \nphysical exam\n. They’ll ask about your medical history to check for recent illnesses, possible exposure to toxins, and medications that could be causing your symptoms. \nThey may also do a smell test, such as one that involves a booklet of pages that you “scratch and sniff” to see how well you can identify odors.\nThey may try to rule out a similar condition called phantosmia, in which your smell receptors “\nhallucinate\n” and detect odors that aren’t there. The smells may range from good to unpleasant.\nYour doctor might recommend that you see a specialist to rule out more serious issues, such as:\nAn otolaryngologist, who specializes in \near\n, nose, and throat conditions\nA neurologist, who focuses on conditions related to the \nbrain and nervous system\nAn allergist, who handles \nallergies\nand related issues\nDepending on your symptoms, they may order more tests. These could include an MRI, a sinus CT scan, or a biopsy (in which they take a small sample of tissue from your sinus to look at under a microscope).\nGetting a diagnosis of parosmia can sometimes be challenging, Doty says.\n“A lot of doctors don’t know much about it, so people get battered around the medical system,” he says. “If the patient doesn’t feel like they’re being taken care of properly, it can add to the loneliness that they may already have.”\nDamaged nerves in your nose and nasal cavity can grow back, so your sense of smell may come back on its own without treatment. For example, among people who get parosmia due to COVID, 80%-90% recover within two years.\nIf something you’re exposed to – such as cigarette smoke, chemicals, or medication – is causing parosmia, avoiding those triggers can help you recover your sense of smell.\nParosmia treatment includes medication, \"smell training,\" and, in rare cases, surgery.\nMedications for parosmia\nResearch has shown that these drugs may help ease parosmia symptoms:\nClonazepam\n(\nKlonopin\n)\nPhenytoin\n(\nDilantin\n, \nPhenytek\n, Phenytoin Infatabs)\nTopiramate\n(\nQudexy\nXR, \nTopamax\n, \nTrokendi XR\n)\nValproic acid\nSurgery for parosmia\nIf other treatments don’t work, your doctor might recommend surgery to remove the damaged sensory receptors (olfactory mucosa) in your nasal cavity. This is a complex procedure with major risks, so it should only be done as a last resort.\nSurgery may also be an option if nasal polyps or a brain tumor are causing your parosmia. \nA technique called olfactory training or smell training may also help you recover from parosmia. It involves exposing yourself to different scents to help your sense of smell improve gradually.\nThere’s no known cure for post-COVID parosmia, though it usually gets better over time.\nSome studies suggest that the following treatments might help, but we need more research to be sure:\nOlfactory training.\n This involves smelling strong aromas — like rose, citrus, cloves, and eucalyptus — every day for several weeks or months while you focus on imagining what the scent normally smells like. This process is thought to help your brain \"remember\" and rebuild how to process smells. One small study showed that olfactory training improved parosmia symptoms, while other studies suggest it works best when combined with other therapies.\nIntranasal steroids.\nCorticosteroids such as mometasone or fluticasone (given as nasal sprays) may help improve your sense of smell after COVID. One study, which focused on people with anosmia, found that mometasone helped 23% of those who took it for more than two weeks.\nSinus rinses.\n Using a saline rinse to flush your nose can reduce inflammation after a COVID infection, which may help you regain your sense of smell.\nIf you’re struggling with your appetite due to parosmia, lifestyle changes might help. Choose simple or bland foods to avoid triggering your parosmia. Eating food cold or at room temperature may also help, since steam carries smells directly to your nose.\nWhen you have parosmia, you perceive certain smells as distorted and often foul. You get it when nerve cells in your nose are damaged by things such as infections, a head injury, drugs, or toxins. Parosmia can make food taste bad, lessen your appetite, and affect your well-being. It usually goes away on its own over time. Treatments include avoiding triggers, olfactory training, and medication.\nWhat does parosmia smell like?\nParosmia affects everyone differently. But for many people, things that once smelled good may now smell foul, rotten, burnt, or like sewage.\nWhat is the difference between phantosmia and parosmia?\nPhantosmia is a condition in which you smell things that aren’t actually there, while parosmia makes things smell different from how they normally do.\nWhat foods trigger parosmia?\nFoods that may trigger parosmia include:\nChocolate\nOnions\nGarlic\nCooked meat\nEggs\nBell peppers\nCucumbers\nFruits\nHow long does parosmia last?\nDepending on what caused your parosmia, it might last weeks to months. One study found that, for people with COVID, it lasted an average of about 3 1\/2 months.","attrs_markdown":"[Skip to main content](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/what-is-parosmia#main-container)\n\n[![Logo for WebMD](https:\/\/img.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/logos\/webmd\/web\/webmd_logo_white.svg)](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/)\n\n- [Home](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/)\n- [Conditions]()\n  Back\n  \n  Conditions[![](https:\/\/img.lb.wbmdstatic.com\/webmd_v1_static_vue\/091e9c5e81e4870f\/client\/img\/arrow-right.4012ff31.svg) View All](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/a-to-z-guides\/health-topics)\n  \n  - [ADD\/ADHD](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/add-adhd\/default.htm)\n  - [Allergies](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/allergies\/default.htm)\n  - [Arthritis](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/arthritis\/default.htm)\n  - [Atrial fibrillation](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/heart-disease\/atrial-fibrillation\/default.htm)\n  - [Breast Cancer](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/breast-cancer\/default.htm)\n  - 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[WebMD Magazine](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/magazine\/default.htm)\n  - [Best Hospitals](https:\/\/doctor.webmd.com\/choice-awards)\n  - [Support Groups](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/facebook-groups)\n- [Privacy & More]()\n\nSubscribe\n\n[Log In](https:\/\/member.webmd.com\/signin?appid=1&returl=https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/what-is-parosmia)\n\nSubscribe\n\n- [Brain & Nervous System](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/default.htm)\/\n- [Reference](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/medical-reference\/default.htm)\/\n\n# What Is Parosmia?\n![](https:\/\/img.lb.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/articles\/biographies\/M_Shruthi_382x382.jpg?resize=51px:51px&output-quality=75)\n\nWritten by [Shishira Sreenivas](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/bio\/shishira-sreenivas)\n\nMedically Reviewed by [Shruthi N, MD](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/bio\/shruthi-n) on June 09, 2025\n\n- [Parosmia Definition](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-1-1)\n- [How Does Parosmia Affect Your Sense of Smell?](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-1-2)\n- [What Causes Parosmia?](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-2-4)\n- [How Is Parosmia Linked to COVID?](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-3-5)\n- [What Are the Complications of Parosmia?](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-4-8)\n- [How Is Parosmia Diagnosed?](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-5-9)\n- [How Is Parosmia Treated?](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-6-12)\n- [How Do You Fix Parosmia After COVID?](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-7-14)\n- [Takeaways](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-8-16)\n- [Parosmia FAQs](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-9-17)\n\n7 min read\n\n## Parosmia Definition\nParosmia is a disorder in which the odors of certain things are distorted. It often makes things smell bad or even disgusting. For example, when you sniff a banana, instead of a fruity and pleasant aroma, it might smell like rotting flesh.\n\nYou get parosmia when smell receptor cells in your nose, called olfactory sensory neurons, don’t detect odors and translate them to [your brain](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/brain-diseases) the way they should.\n\nBacterial or [viral infections,](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/a-to-z-guides\/bacterial-and-viral-infections) including COVID-19, are the most common causes of parosmia. But head injuries and certain brain conditions can cause it, too.\n\nParosmia is usually temporary. But it can affect your appetite, state of mind, and quality of life.\n\n![](https:\/\/img.lb.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/article_thumbnails\/SEEDs\/parosmia-smell-distortion-signs-causes-diagnosis-recovery-seeds\/1800x1200-parosmia-smell-distortion-signs-causes-diagnosis-recovery-seeds.jpg?resize=750px:*&output-quality=75)\n\nParosmia is a condition that affects how you perceive smells. It may happen when you’re recovering from an infection. (Photo Credit: iStock\/Getty Images)\n\n## How Does Parosmia Affect Your Sense of Smell?\nWhen smell receptor cells in your nose get damaged, this changes the way your brain interprets scents.\n\n“The analogy is, if you have a piano and cut some strings in the back, you’ll get a discordant sound instead of something pleasant,” says Richard Doty, PhD, director of the Smell and Taste Center at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center.\n\nParosmia affects everyone differently. Most people find that it changes the way common foods, household items, and even body odor smell. For some people, things just smell a bit off. But for others, once-pleasant scents become unbearable, taking on a rotten, burnt, sewage, or metallic smell.\n\nSince your sense of smell is closely connected to your sense of taste, parosmia can also change how food tastes.\n\nPossible triggers for parosmia include:\n\n- Coffee\n- Onions\n- Garlic\n- Fried, roasted, or browned meat\n- Eggs\n- Toothpaste\n- Bell peppers\n- Cucumbers\n- Chocolate\n- Fruit, especially citrus fruits and melons\n- Gasoline\n- Tobacco\n- Perfume\n\n## What Causes Parosmia?\nSeveral things may cause parosmia. They can include:\n\n- Upper respiratory infections, such as [colds](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/cold-and-flu\/default.htm)\n- Viruses such as the flu or COVID\n- [Head injuries](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/fitness-exercise\/head-injuries-causes-and-treatments)\n- [Sinus](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/allergies\/sinus-tips) infections\n- Certain toxins, including pollution and smoking\n- Some [drugs](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/drugs\/index-drugs.aspx), including cancer treatments, certain antidepressants, and benzodiazepines\n- [Seizures](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/epilepsy\/understanding-seizures-basics) in a part of the brain called the temporal lobe\n- Constant [dry mouth](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/oral-health\/dental-health-dry-mouth)\n- [Brain tumors, though this is rare](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/cancer\/brain-cancer\/brain-tumors-in-adults)\n\n## How Is Parosmia Linked to COVID?\nLoss of smell or taste is a common symptom of COVID, especially in the early stages of the infection. Some people lose these senses completely, while others only have partial changes. Doctors have a few different terms to describe these kinds of changes:\n\n- Hyposmia: A partial loss of smell\n- Hypogeusia: A partial loss of taste\n- [Anosmia](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/anosmia-loss-of-smell): A complete loss of smell\n- Ageusia: A complete loss of taste\n\nMost people who have these symptoms of COVID find that their senses go back to normal over time. But for others, the changes stick around for weeks or even months after the infection.\n\nParosmia can also affect people who’ve had COVID, though it usually shows up after the initial infection. One study found that nearly half of the people who lost their sense of smell from COVID developed parosmia later on. On average, it shows up two to three months after an initial infection. But for many, smell disruptions can last at least six months.\n\nSome people have described the “COVID smell” as “foul,” “rancid,” or similar to “rotting flesh.”\n\nCOVID is thought to cause parosmia by damaging nerves that help you detect odors. Both the virus itself and the inflammation it causes may lead to this damage.\n\n“COVID is a two-edged sword,” says Doty. “The good news is that it has opened people’s realization of how important the sensory system is.”\n\n## What Are the Complications of Parosmia?\nYour senses affect so much of your daily life, from sharing meals with friends to simple routines, such as brewing a morning cup of coffee. Pleasant scents can lift your mood. But a distorted [sense of smell](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/allergies\/video\/josephson-sense-smell) can lead to problems such as:\n\n- Loss of appetite\n- Weight loss\n- [Depression](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/depression\/default.htm)\n\nParosmia could make socializing unpleasant, especially in settings that involve food. It can also make household tasks like cooking and cleaning difficult. You might even feel repulsed by the smell of your own body.\n\nA distorted sense of smell can also be a safety risk. You might not notice signs such as spoiled food, smoke, or a gas leak. For people whose jobs rely on a sharp sense of smell, such as chefs, perfumers, and firefighters, parosmia may make it harder to do their work.\n\n## How Is Parosmia Diagnosed?\nIf your doctor thinks you have parosmia, they’ll do a [physical exam](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/a-to-z-guides\/annual-physical-examinations). They’ll ask about your medical history to check for recent illnesses, possible exposure to toxins, and medications that could be causing your symptoms.\n\nThey may also do a smell test, such as one that involves a booklet of pages that you “scratch and sniff” to see how well you can identify odors.\n\nThey may try to rule out a similar condition called phantosmia, in which your smell receptors “[hallucinate](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/schizophrenia\/what-are-hallucinations)” and detect odors that aren’t there. The smells may range from good to unpleasant.\n\nYour doctor might recommend that you see a specialist to rule out more serious issues, such as:\n\n- An otolaryngologist, who specializes in [ear](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/picture-of-the-ear), nose, and throat conditions\n- A neurologist, who focuses on conditions related to the [brain and nervous system](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain)\n- An allergist, who handles [allergies](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/allergies\/default.htm) and related issues\n\nDepending on your symptoms, they may order more tests. These could include an MRI, a sinus CT scan, or a biopsy (in which they take a small sample of tissue from your sinus to look at under a microscope).\n\nGetting a diagnosis of parosmia can sometimes be challenging, Doty says.\n\n“A lot of doctors don’t know much about it, so people get battered around the medical system,” he says. “If the patient doesn’t feel like they’re being taken care of properly, it can add to the loneliness that they may already have.”\n\n## How Is Parosmia Treated?\nDamaged nerves in your nose and nasal cavity can grow back, so your sense of smell may come back on its own without treatment. For example, among people who get parosmia due to COVID, 80%-90% recover within two years.\n\nIf something you’re exposed to – such as cigarette smoke, chemicals, or medication – is causing parosmia, avoiding those triggers can help you recover your sense of smell.\n\nParosmia treatment includes medication, \"smell training,\" and, in rare cases, surgery.\n\n### Medications for parosmia\nResearch has shown that these drugs may help ease parosmia symptoms:\n\n- [Clonazepam](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/drugs\/mono-6006-CLONAZEPAM+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=14403&drugname=Clonazepam+Oral) ([Klonopin](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/drugs\/2\/drug-920\/klonopin-oral\/details))\n- [Phenytoin](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/drugs\/2\/drug-4159-1057\/phenytoin-oral\/phenytoin-suspension-oral\/details) ([Dilantin](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/drugs\/2\/drug-4157\/dilantin-oral\/details), Phenytek, Phenytoin Infatabs)\n- [Topiramate](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/drugs\/mono-6019-TOPIRAMATE+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=14494&drugname=Topamax+Oral) ([Qudexy](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/drugs\/2\/drug-166405\/qudexy-xr-oral\/details) XR, [Topamax](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/drugs\/2\/drug-14494-6019\/topamax-oral\/topiramate-oral\/details), [Trokendi XR](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/drugs\/2\/drug-164941\/trokendi-xr-oral\/details))\n- Valproic acid\n### Surgery for parosmia\n\nIf other treatments don’t work, your doctor might recommend surgery to remove the damaged sensory receptors (olfactory mucosa) in your nasal cavity. This is a complex procedure with major risks, so it should only be done as a last resort.\n\nSurgery may also be an option if nasal polyps or a brain tumor are causing your parosmia.\n\nA technique called olfactory training or smell training may also help you recover from parosmia. It involves exposing yourself to different scents to help your sense of smell improve gradually.\n\n## How Do You Fix Parosmia After COVID?\nThere’s no known cure for post-COVID parosmia, though it usually gets better over time.\n\nSome studies suggest that the following treatments might help, but we need more research to be sure:  \n  \n**Olfactory training.** This involves smelling strong aromas — like rose, citrus, cloves, and eucalyptus — every day for several weeks or months while you focus on imagining what the scent normally smells like. This process is thought to help your brain \"remember\" and rebuild how to process smells. One small study showed that olfactory training improved parosmia symptoms, while other studies suggest it works best when combined with other therapies.\n\n**Intranasal steroids.** Corticosteroids such as mometasone or fluticasone (given as nasal sprays) may help improve your sense of smell after COVID. One study, which focused on people with anosmia, found that mometasone helped 23% of those who took it for more than two weeks.\n\n**Sinus rinses.** Using a saline rinse to flush your nose can reduce inflammation after a COVID infection, which may help you regain your sense of smell.\n\nIf you’re struggling with your appetite due to parosmia, lifestyle changes might help. Choose simple or bland foods to avoid triggering your parosmia. Eating food cold or at room temperature may also help, since steam carries smells directly to your nose.\n\n## Takeaways\nWhen you have parosmia, you perceive certain smells as distorted and often foul. You get it when nerve cells in your nose are damaged by things such as infections, a head injury, drugs, or toxins. Parosmia can make food taste bad, lessen your appetite, and affect your well-being. It usually goes away on its own over time. Treatments include avoiding triggers, olfactory training, and medication.\n\n## Parosmia FAQs\n### What does parosmia smell like?\nParosmia affects everyone differently. But for many people, things that once smelled good may now smell foul, rotten, burnt, or like sewage.\n\n### What is the difference between phantosmia and parosmia?\nPhantosmia is a condition in which you smell things that aren’t actually there, while parosmia makes things smell different from how they normally do.\n\n### What foods trigger parosmia?\nFoods that may trigger parosmia include:\n\n- Chocolate\n- Onions\n- Garlic\n- Cooked meat\n- Eggs\n- Bell peppers\n- Cucumbers\n- Fruits\n### How long does parosmia last?\nDepending on what caused your parosmia, it might last weeks to months. One study found that, for people with COVID, it lasted an average of about 3 1\/2 months.\n\nSources\n\nUpdate History\n\nShare\n\nPrint\n\nSave\n\nSOURCES:\n\nRichard Doty, PhD, professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery; director, Smell and Taste Center, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center.\n\nMayo Clinic: “[What causes olfactory hallucinations (phantosmia)](https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/temporal-lobe-seizure\/expert-answers\/phantosmia\/faq-20058131)?”\n\nCleveland Clinic: “[Parosmia](https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/diseases\/23986-parosmia),” “[Loss of Taste and Smell](https:\/\/my.clevelandclinic.org\/health\/symptoms\/16708-loss-of-taste-and-smell).”\n\n*Chemical Senses*: “[More than smell – COVID-19 is associated with severe impairment of smell, taste, and chemesthesis](https:\/\/academic.oup.com\/chemse\/article\/45\/7\/609\/5860460).”\n\nUpToDate: “[Taste and olfactory disorders in adults: Evaluation and management](https:\/\/www.uptodate.com\/contents\/taste-and-olfactory-disorders-in-adults-evaluation-and-management),” “[Clonazepam: Drug information,](https:\/\/www.uptodate.com\/contents\/clonazepam-drug-information)” “[Topiramate: Drug information](https:\/\/www.uptodate.com\/contents\/topiramate-drug-information),” “[Phenytoin: Drug information.”](https:\/\/www.uptodate.com\/contents\/phenytoin-drug-information)\n\n*JAMA*: “[Long-term Follow-up of Surgically Treated Phantosmia](https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamaotolaryngology\/fullarticle\/482912),” “[Distorted Odorant Perception Analysis of a Series of 56 Patients With Parosmia](https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamaotolaryngology\/fullarticle\/648666).”\n\nNational Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: “[Smell Disorders.](https:\/\/www.nidcd.nih.gov\/health\/smell-disorders)”\n\n*BMJ*: “[Sixty seconds on . . . parosmia,](https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/bmj\/371\/bmj.m4332.full.pdf) “[Parosmia—a common consequence of covid-19](https:\/\/www.bmj.com\/content\/377\/bmj-2021-069860).”\n\n*Frontiers in Neurolog*y: “[Parosmia and Neurological Disorders: A Neglected Association](https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/journals\/neurology\/articles\/10.3389\/fneur.2020.543275\/full).”\n\nSmellTaste: “[Post-Viral Olfactory Loss](https:\/\/www.smelltaste.org.uk\/post-viral-olfactory-loss\/).”\n\n*European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology*: “P[ersistent COVID-19 parosmia and olfactory loss post olfactory training: randomized clinical trial comparing central and peripheral-acting therapeutics.](https:\/\/link.springer.com\/article\/10.1007\/s00405-024-08548-6)”\n\n*The American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy*: “[Qualitative Olfactory Dysfunction and COVID-19: An Evidence-Based Review with Recommendations for the Clinician](https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9379596\/).”\n\n*JAMA Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery*: “[Distorted Odorant Perception: Analysis of a Series of 56 Patients With Parosmia](https:\/\/jamanetwork.com\/journals\/jamaotolaryngology\/fullarticle\/648666).”\n\n*Rhinology:* “[A follow-up on quantitative and qualitative olfactory dysfunction and other symptoms in patients recovering from COVID-19 smell loss](https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC11016179\/),” “[Six month follow-up of self-reported loss of smell during the COVID-19 pandemic](https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/33320115\/).”\n\nUniversity of Utah: “[A Change in Smell After COVID-19 Infection: What You Need to Know,](https:\/\/healthcare.utah.edu\/healthfeed\/2022\/09\/change-smell-after-covid-19-infection-what-you-need-know)” “[How do you Treat Parosmia or Loss of Smell?](https:\/\/healthcare.utah.edu\/the-scope\/all\/2022\/09\/how-do-you-treat-parosmia-or-loss-of-smell)” “[Parosmia After COVID-19: What Is It and How Long Will It Last?](https:\/\/healthcare.utah.edu\/healthfeed\/2021\/09\/parosmia-after-covid-19-what-it-and-how-long-will-it-last)”\n\n*Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery*: “[Parosmia Due to COVID-19 Disease: A 268 Case Series](https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8141364\/).”\n\n*Clinical Nutrition Open Science*: “[Parosmia and altered taste in patients recovering from Covid 19](https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9731923\/).”\n\n*Frontiers in Human Neuroscience*: “[The effectiveness of olfactory training for chronic olfactory disorder following COVID-19: a systematic review](https:\/\/www.frontiersin.org\/journals\/human-neuroscience\/articles\/10.3389\/fnhum.2024.1457527\/full).”\n\n*The Laryngoscope*: “[Intranasal Corticosteroid Treatment on Recovery of Long‐Term Olfactory Dysfunction Due to COVID‐19](https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9538270\/),” “[Modified Olfactory Training Is an Effective Treatment Method for COVID‐19 Induced Parosmia](https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC9088368\/).”\n\n[View privacy policy, copyright and trust info](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/about-webmd-policies\/about-privacy-policy)\n\nShare\n\nPrint\n\nSave\n\n[View privacy policy, copyright and trust info](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/about-webmd-policies\/about-privacy-policy)\n\n### More on Brain & Nervous System Disorders\n![photo of senior man smiling](https:\/\/img.lb.wbmdstatic.com\/vim\/live\/webmd\/consumer_assets\/site_images\/article_thumbnails\/hpt_toc_redesign\/more_on\/MoreOn_Osteoarthritis.png?resize=300px:*&output-quality=75)\n\n[The Nervous System and How It Works](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/what-is-nervous-system)\n\n[Brain-Boosting Beverages](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/ss\/slideshow-brain-boosting-beverages)\n\n[Top Exercises for the Right Brain](https:\/\/www.webmd.com\/brain\/top-exercises-right-brain)\n\nRecommended\n\n![person getting diagnosis from 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Meta Title	What Is Parosmia?
Meta Description	Parosmia affects how smells are perceived, often after viral infections. Find out what triggers it, how it’s diagnosed, and treatment options
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Boilerpipe Text	Parosmia is a disorder in which the odors of certain things are distorted. It often makes things smell bad or even disgusting. For example, when you sniff a banana, instead of a fruity and pleasant aroma, it might smell like rotting flesh. You get parosmia when smell receptor cells in your nose, called olfactory sensory neurons, don’t detect odors and translate them to your brain the way they should. Bacterial or viral infections, including COVID-19, are the most common causes of parosmia. But head injuries and certain brain conditions can cause it, too. Parosmia is usually temporary. But it can affect your appetite, state of mind, and quality of life. When smell receptor cells in your nose get damaged, this changes the way your brain interprets scents. “The analogy is, if you have a piano and cut some strings in the back, you’ll get a discordant sound instead of something pleasant,” says Richard Doty, PhD, director of the Smell and Taste Center at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. Parosmia affects everyone differently. Most people find that it changes the way common foods, household items, and even body odor smell. For some people, things just smell a bit off. But for others, once-pleasant scents become unbearable, taking on a rotten, burnt, sewage, or metallic smell. Since your sense of smell is closely connected to your sense of taste, parosmia can also change how food tastes. Possible triggers for parosmia include: Coffee Onions Garlic Fried, roasted, or browned meat Eggs Toothpaste Bell peppers Cucumbers Chocolate Fruit, especially citrus fruits and melons Gasoline Tobacco Perfume Several things may cause parosmia. They can include: Upper respiratory infections, such as colds Viruses such as the flu or COVID Head injuries Sinus infections Certain toxins , including pollution and smoking Some drugs , including cancer treatments, certain antidepressants, and benzodiazepines Seizures in a part of the brain called the temporal lobe Constant dry mouth Brain tumors, though this is rare Loss of smell or taste is a common symptom of COVID, especially in the early stages of the infection. Some people lose these senses completely, while others only have partial changes. Doctors have a few different terms to describe these kinds of changes: Hyposmia: A partial loss of smell Hypogeusia: A partial loss of taste Anosmia : A complete loss of smell Ageusia: A complete loss of taste Most people who have these symptoms of COVID find that their senses go back to normal over time. But for others, the changes stick around for weeks or even months after the infection. Parosmia can also affect people who’ve had COVID, though it usually shows up after the initial infection. One study found that nearly half of the people who lost their sense of smell from COVID developed parosmia later on. On average, it shows up two to three months after an initial infection. But for many, smell disruptions can last at least six months. Some people have described the “COVID smell” as “foul,” “rancid,” or similar to “rotting flesh.” COVID is thought to cause parosmia by damaging nerves that help you detect odors. Both the virus itself and the inflammation it causes may lead to this damage. “COVID is a two-edged sword,” says Doty. “The good news is that it has opened people’s realization of how important the sensory system is.” Your senses affect so much of your daily life, from sharing meals with friends to simple routines, such as brewing a morning cup of coffee. Pleasant scents can lift your mood. But a distorted sense of smell can lead to problems such as: Loss of appetite Weight loss Depression Parosmia could make socializing unpleasant, especially in settings that involve food. It can also make household tasks like cooking and cleaning difficult. You might even feel repulsed by the smell of your own body. A distorted sense of smell can also be a safety risk. You might not notice signs such as spoiled food, smoke, or a gas leak. For people whose jobs rely on a sharp sense of smell, such as chefs, perfumers, and firefighters, parosmia may make it harder to do their work. If your doctor thinks you have parosmia, they’ll do a physical exam . They’ll ask about your medical history to check for recent illnesses, possible exposure to toxins, and medications that could be causing your symptoms. They may also do a smell test, such as one that involves a booklet of pages that you “scratch and sniff” to see how well you can identify odors. They may try to rule out a similar condition called phantosmia, in which your smell receptors “ hallucinate ” and detect odors that aren’t there. The smells may range from good to unpleasant. Your doctor might recommend that you see a specialist to rule out more serious issues, such as: An otolaryngologist, who specializes in ear , nose, and throat conditions A neurologist, who focuses on conditions related to the brain and nervous system An allergist, who handles allergies and related issues Depending on your symptoms, they may order more tests. These could include an MRI, a sinus CT scan, or a biopsy (in which they take a small sample of tissue from your sinus to look at under a microscope). Getting a diagnosis of parosmia can sometimes be challenging, Doty says. “A lot of doctors don’t know much about it, so people get battered around the medical system,” he says. “If the patient doesn’t feel like they’re being taken care of properly, it can add to the loneliness that they may already have.” Damaged nerves in your nose and nasal cavity can grow back, so your sense of smell may come back on its own without treatment. For example, among people who get parosmia due to COVID, 80%-90% recover within two years. If something you’re exposed to – such as cigarette smoke, chemicals, or medication – is causing parosmia, avoiding those triggers can help you recover your sense of smell. Parosmia treatment includes medication, "smell training," and, in rare cases, surgery. Medications for parosmia Research has shown that these drugs may help ease parosmia symptoms: Clonazepam ( Klonopin ) Phenytoin ( Dilantin , Phenytek , Phenytoin Infatabs) Topiramate ( Qudexy XR, Topamax , Trokendi XR ) Valproic acid Surgery for parosmia If other treatments don’t work, your doctor might recommend surgery to remove the damaged sensory receptors (olfactory mucosa) in your nasal cavity. This is a complex procedure with major risks, so it should only be done as a last resort. Surgery may also be an option if nasal polyps or a brain tumor are causing your parosmia. A technique called olfactory training or smell training may also help you recover from parosmia. It involves exposing yourself to different scents to help your sense of smell improve gradually. There’s no known cure for post-COVID parosmia, though it usually gets better over time. Some studies suggest that the following treatments might help, but we need more research to be sure: Olfactory training. This involves smelling strong aromas — like rose, citrus, cloves, and eucalyptus — every day for several weeks or months while you focus on imagining what the scent normally smells like. This process is thought to help your brain "remember" and rebuild how to process smells. One small study showed that olfactory training improved parosmia symptoms, while other studies suggest it works best when combined with other therapies. Intranasal steroids. Corticosteroids such as mometasone or fluticasone (given as nasal sprays) may help improve your sense of smell after COVID. One study, which focused on people with anosmia, found that mometasone helped 23% of those who took it for more than two weeks. Sinus rinses. Using a saline rinse to flush your nose can reduce inflammation after a COVID infection, which may help you regain your sense of smell. If you’re struggling with your appetite due to parosmia, lifestyle changes might help. Choose simple or bland foods to avoid triggering your parosmia. Eating food cold or at room temperature may also help, since steam carries smells directly to your nose. When you have parosmia, you perceive certain smells as distorted and often foul. You get it when nerve cells in your nose are damaged by things such as infections, a head injury, drugs, or toxins. Parosmia can make food taste bad, lessen your appetite, and affect your well-being. It usually goes away on its own over time. Treatments include avoiding triggers, olfactory training, and medication. What does parosmia smell like? Parosmia affects everyone differently. But for many people, things that once smelled good may now smell foul, rotten, burnt, or like sewage. What is the difference between phantosmia and parosmia? Phantosmia is a condition in which you smell things that aren’t actually there, while parosmia makes things smell different from how they normally do. What foods trigger parosmia? Foods that may trigger parosmia include: Chocolate Onions Garlic Cooked meat Eggs Bell peppers Cucumbers Fruits How long does parosmia last? Depending on what caused your parosmia, it might last weeks to months. One study found that, for people with COVID, it lasted an average of about 3 1/2 months.
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[Parosmia Definition](https://www.webmd.com/brain/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-1-1) - [How Does Parosmia Affect Your Sense of Smell?](https://www.webmd.com/brain/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-1-2) - [What Causes Parosmia?](https://www.webmd.com/brain/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-2-4) - [How Is Parosmia Linked to COVID?](https://www.webmd.com/brain/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-3-5) - [What Are the Complications of Parosmia?](https://www.webmd.com/brain/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-4-8) - [How Is Parosmia Diagnosed?](https://www.webmd.com/brain/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-5-9) - [How Is Parosmia Treated?](https://www.webmd.com/brain/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-6-12) - [How Do You Fix Parosmia After COVID?](https://www.webmd.com/brain/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-7-14) - [Takeaways](https://www.webmd.com/brain/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-8-16) - [Parosmia FAQs](https://www.webmd.com/brain/what-is-parosmia#091e9c5e8214b33b-9-17) 7 min read ## Parosmia Definition Parosmia is a disorder in which the odors of certain things are distorted. It often makes things smell bad or even disgusting. For example, when you sniff a banana, instead of a fruity and pleasant aroma, it might smell like rotting flesh. You get parosmia when smell receptor cells in your nose, called olfactory sensory neurons, don’t detect odors and translate them to [your brain](https://www.webmd.com/brain/brain-diseases) the way they should. Bacterial or [viral infections,](https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/bacterial-and-viral-infections) including COVID-19, are the most common causes of parosmia. But head injuries and certain brain conditions can cause it, too. Parosmia is usually temporary. But it can affect your appetite, state of mind, and quality of life. ![](https://img.lb.wbmdstatic.com/vim/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/article_thumbnails/SEEDs/parosmia-smell-distortion-signs-causes-diagnosis-recovery-seeds/1800x1200-parosmia-smell-distortion-signs-causes-diagnosis-recovery-seeds.jpg?resize=750px:&output-quality=75) Parosmia is a condition that affects how you perceive smells. It may happen when you’re recovering from an infection. (Photo Credit: iStock/Getty Images) ## How Does Parosmia Affect Your Sense of Smell? When smell receptor cells in your nose get damaged, this changes the way your brain interprets scents. “The analogy is, if you have a piano and cut some strings in the back, you’ll get a discordant sound instead of something pleasant,” says Richard Doty, PhD, director of the Smell and Taste Center at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. Parosmia affects everyone differently. Most people find that it changes the way common foods, household items, and even body odor smell. For some people, things just smell a bit off. But for others, once-pleasant scents become unbearable, taking on a rotten, burnt, sewage, or metallic smell. Since your sense of smell is closely connected to your sense of taste, parosmia can also change how food tastes. Possible triggers for parosmia include: - Coffee - Onions - Garlic - Fried, roasted, or browned meat - Eggs - Toothpaste - Bell peppers - Cucumbers - Chocolate - Fruit, especially citrus fruits and melons - Gasoline - Tobacco - Perfume ## What Causes Parosmia? Several things may cause parosmia. They can include: - Upper respiratory infections, such as [colds](https://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/default.htm) - Viruses such as the flu or COVID - [Head injuries](https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/head-injuries-causes-and-treatments) - [Sinus](https://www.webmd.com/allergies/sinus-tips) infections - Certain toxins, including pollution and smoking - Some [drugs](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/index-drugs.aspx), including cancer treatments, certain antidepressants, and benzodiazepines - [Seizures](https://www.webmd.com/epilepsy/understanding-seizures-basics) in a part of the brain called the temporal lobe - Constant [dry mouth](https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/dental-health-dry-mouth) - [Brain tumors, though this is rare](https://www.webmd.com/cancer/brain-cancer/brain-tumors-in-adults) ## How Is Parosmia Linked to COVID? Loss of smell or taste is a common symptom of COVID, especially in the early stages of the infection. Some people lose these senses completely, while others only have partial changes. Doctors have a few different terms to describe these kinds of changes: - Hyposmia: A partial loss of smell - Hypogeusia: A partial loss of taste - [Anosmia](https://www.webmd.com/brain/anosmia-loss-of-smell): A complete loss of smell - Ageusia: A complete loss of taste Most people who have these symptoms of COVID find that their senses go back to normal over time. But for others, the changes stick around for weeks or even months after the infection. Parosmia can also affect people who’ve had COVID, though it usually shows up after the initial infection. One study found that nearly half of the people who lost their sense of smell from COVID developed parosmia later on. On average, it shows up two to three months after an initial infection. But for many, smell disruptions can last at least six months. Some people have described the “COVID smell” as “foul,” “rancid,” or similar to “rotting flesh.” COVID is thought to cause parosmia by damaging nerves that help you detect odors. Both the virus itself and the inflammation it causes may lead to this damage. “COVID is a two-edged sword,” says Doty. “The good news is that it has opened people’s realization of how important the sensory system is.” ## What Are the Complications of Parosmia? Your senses affect so much of your daily life, from sharing meals with friends to simple routines, such as brewing a morning cup of coffee. Pleasant scents can lift your mood. But a distorted [sense of smell](https://www.webmd.com/allergies/video/josephson-sense-smell) can lead to problems such as: - Loss of appetite - Weight loss - [Depression](https://www.webmd.com/depression/default.htm) Parosmia could make socializing unpleasant, especially in settings that involve food. It can also make household tasks like cooking and cleaning difficult. You might even feel repulsed by the smell of your own body. A distorted sense of smell can also be a safety risk. You might not notice signs such as spoiled food, smoke, or a gas leak. For people whose jobs rely on a sharp sense of smell, such as chefs, perfumers, and firefighters, parosmia may make it harder to do their work. ## How Is Parosmia Diagnosed? If your doctor thinks you have parosmia, they’ll do a [physical exam](https://www.webmd.com/a-to-z-guides/annual-physical-examinations). They’ll ask about your medical history to check for recent illnesses, possible exposure to toxins, and medications that could be causing your symptoms. They may also do a smell test, such as one that involves a booklet of pages that you “scratch and sniff” to see how well you can identify odors. They may try to rule out a similar condition called phantosmia, in which your smell receptors “[hallucinate](https://www.webmd.com/schizophrenia/what-are-hallucinations)” and detect odors that aren’t there. The smells may range from good to unpleasant. Your doctor might recommend that you see a specialist to rule out more serious issues, such as: - An otolaryngologist, who specializes in [ear](https://www.webmd.com/picture-of-the-ear), nose, and throat conditions - A neurologist, who focuses on conditions related to the [brain and nervous system](https://www.webmd.com/brain) - An allergist, who handles [allergies](https://www.webmd.com/allergies/default.htm) and related issues Depending on your symptoms, they may order more tests. These could include an MRI, a sinus CT scan, or a biopsy (in which they take a small sample of tissue from your sinus to look at under a microscope). Getting a diagnosis of parosmia can sometimes be challenging, Doty says. “A lot of doctors don’t know much about it, so people get battered around the medical system,” he says. “If the patient doesn’t feel like they’re being taken care of properly, it can add to the loneliness that they may already have.” ## How Is Parosmia Treated? Damaged nerves in your nose and nasal cavity can grow back, so your sense of smell may come back on its own without treatment. For example, among people who get parosmia due to COVID, 80%-90% recover within two years. If something you’re exposed to – such as cigarette smoke, chemicals, or medication – is causing parosmia, avoiding those triggers can help you recover your sense of smell. Parosmia treatment includes medication, "smell training," and, in rare cases, surgery. ### Medications for parosmia Research has shown that these drugs may help ease parosmia symptoms: - [Clonazepam](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-6006-CLONAZEPAM+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=14403&drugname=Clonazepam+Oral) ([Klonopin](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-920/klonopin-oral/details)) - [Phenytoin](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-4159-1057/phenytoin-oral/phenytoin-suspension-oral/details) ([Dilantin](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-4157/dilantin-oral/details), Phenytek, Phenytoin Infatabs) - [Topiramate](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/mono-6019-TOPIRAMATE+-+ORAL.aspx?drugid=14494&drugname=Topamax+Oral) ([Qudexy](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-166405/qudexy-xr-oral/details) XR, [Topamax](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-14494-6019/topamax-oral/topiramate-oral/details), [Trokendi XR](https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-164941/trokendi-xr-oral/details)) - Valproic acid ### Surgery for parosmia If other treatments don’t work, your doctor might recommend surgery to remove the damaged sensory receptors (olfactory mucosa) in your nasal cavity. This is a complex procedure with major risks, so it should only be done as a last resort. Surgery may also be an option if nasal polyps or a brain tumor are causing your parosmia. A technique called olfactory training or smell training may also help you recover from parosmia. It involves exposing yourself to different scents to help your sense of smell improve gradually. ## How Do You Fix Parosmia After COVID? There’s no known cure for post-COVID parosmia, though it usually gets better over time. Some studies suggest that the following treatments might help, but we need more research to be sure: Olfactory training.* This involves smelling strong aromas — like rose, citrus, cloves, and eucalyptus — every day for several weeks or months while you focus on imagining what the scent normally smells like. This process is thought to help your brain "remember" and rebuild how to process smells. One small study showed that olfactory training improved parosmia symptoms, while other studies suggest it works best when combined with other therapies. Intranasal steroids. Corticosteroids such as mometasone or fluticasone (given as nasal sprays) may help improve your sense of smell after COVID. One study, which focused on people with anosmia, found that mometasone helped 23% of those who took it for more than two weeks. Sinus rinses. Using a saline rinse to flush your nose can reduce inflammation after a COVID infection, which may help you regain your sense of smell. If you’re struggling with your appetite due to parosmia, lifestyle changes might help. Choose simple or bland foods to avoid triggering your parosmia. Eating food cold or at room temperature may also help, since steam carries smells directly to your nose. ## Takeaways When you have parosmia, you perceive certain smells as distorted and often foul. You get it when nerve cells in your nose are damaged by things such as infections, a head injury, drugs, or toxins. Parosmia can make food taste bad, lessen your appetite, and affect your well-being. It usually goes away on its own over time. Treatments include avoiding triggers, olfactory training, and medication. ## Parosmia FAQs ### What does parosmia smell like? Parosmia affects everyone differently. But for many people, things that once smelled good may now smell foul, rotten, burnt, or like sewage. ### What is the difference between phantosmia and parosmia? Phantosmia is a condition in which you smell things that aren’t actually there, while parosmia makes things smell different from how they normally do. ### What foods trigger parosmia? Foods that may trigger parosmia include: - Chocolate - Onions - Garlic - Cooked meat - Eggs - Bell peppers - Cucumbers - Fruits ### How long does parosmia last? Depending on what caused your parosmia, it might last weeks to months. One study found that, for people with COVID, it lasted an average of about 3 1/2 months. Sources Update History Share Print Save SOURCES: Richard Doty, PhD, professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology: Head and Neck Surgery; director, Smell and Taste Center, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center. Mayo Clinic: “[What causes olfactory hallucinations (phantosmia)](https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/temporal-lobe-seizure/expert-answers/phantosmia/faq-20058131)?” Cleveland Clinic: “[Parosmia](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23986-parosmia),” “[Loss of Taste and Smell](https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/16708-loss-of-taste-and-smell).” Chemical Senses: “[More than smell – COVID-19 is associated with severe impairment of smell, taste, and chemesthesis](https://academic.oup.com/chemse/article/45/7/609/5860460).” UpToDate: “[Taste and olfactory disorders in adults: Evaluation and management](https://www.uptodate.com/contents/taste-and-olfactory-disorders-in-adults-evaluation-and-management),” “[Clonazepam: Drug information,](https://www.uptodate.com/contents/clonazepam-drug-information)” “[Topiramate: Drug information](https://www.uptodate.com/contents/topiramate-drug-information),” “[Phenytoin: Drug information.”](https://www.uptodate.com/contents/phenytoin-drug-information) JAMA: “[Long-term Follow-up of Surgically Treated Phantosmia](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/482912),” “[Distorted Odorant Perception Analysis of a Series of 56 Patients With Parosmia](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/648666).” National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders: “[Smell Disorders.](https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/smell-disorders)” BMJ: “[Sixty seconds on . . . parosmia,](https://www.bmj.com/content/bmj/371/bmj.m4332.full.pdf) “[Parosmia—a common consequence of covid-19](https://www.bmj.com/content/377/bmj-2021-069860).” Frontiers in Neurology: “[Parosmia and Neurological Disorders: A Neglected Association](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2020.543275/full).” SmellTaste: “[Post-Viral Olfactory Loss](https://www.smelltaste.org.uk/post-viral-olfactory-loss/).” European Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology: “P[ersistent COVID-19 parosmia and olfactory loss post olfactory training: randomized clinical trial comparing central and peripheral-acting therapeutics.](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00405-024-08548-6)” The American Journal of Rhinology & Allergy: “[Qualitative Olfactory Dysfunction and COVID-19: An Evidence-Based Review with Recommendations for the Clinician](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9379596/).” JAMA Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery: “[Distorted Odorant Perception: Analysis of a Series of 56 Patients With Parosmia](https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarticle/648666).” Rhinology: “[A follow-up on quantitative and qualitative olfactory dysfunction and other symptoms in patients recovering from COVID-19 smell loss](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11016179/),” “[Six month follow-up of self-reported loss of smell during the COVID-19 pandemic](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33320115/).” University of Utah: “[A Change in Smell After COVID-19 Infection: What You Need to Know,](https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2022/09/change-smell-after-covid-19-infection-what-you-need-know)” “[How do you Treat Parosmia or Loss of Smell?](https://healthcare.utah.edu/the-scope/all/2022/09/how-do-you-treat-parosmia-or-loss-of-smell)” “[Parosmia After COVID-19: What Is It and How Long Will It Last?](https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2021/09/parosmia-after-covid-19-what-it-and-how-long-will-it-last)” Indian Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery: “[Parosmia Due to COVID-19 Disease: A 268 Case Series](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8141364/).” Clinical Nutrition Open Science: “[Parosmia and altered taste in patients recovering from Covid 19](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9731923/).” Frontiers in Human Neuroscience: “[The effectiveness of olfactory training for chronic olfactory disorder following COVID-19: a systematic review](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2024.1457527/full).” The Laryngoscope: “[Intranasal Corticosteroid Treatment on Recovery of Long‐Term Olfactory Dysfunction Due to COVID‐19](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9538270/),” “[Modified Olfactory Training Is an Effective Treatment Method for COVID‐19 Induced Parosmia](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9088368/).” [View privacy policy, copyright and trust info](https://www.webmd.com/about-webmd-policies/about-privacy-policy) Share Print Save [View privacy policy, copyright and trust info](https://www.webmd.com/about-webmd-policies/about-privacy-policy) ### More on Brain & Nervous System Disorders ![photo of senior man smiling](https://img.lb.wbmdstatic.com/vim/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/article_thumbnails/hpt_toc_redesign/more_on/MoreOn_Osteoarthritis.png?resize=300px:&output-quality=75) [The Nervous System and How It 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