Post-COVID Taste Loss: ENT Recovery Tips

Understanding Post-COVID Taste Loss and Why Recovery Matters

For many people, recovering from the initial COVID-19 infection is just the first step toward returning to normal life. One of the more frustrating lingering symptoms experienced by a significant number of individuals is post-COVID taste loss—medically termed ageusia when there is a complete loss of taste, or hypogeusia when the loss is partial. Importantly, this taste dysfunction can affect individuals regardless of whether their COVID-19 infection was mild or severe.

Taste loss following COVID-19 is far more than a simple nuisance. It can significantly reduce enjoyment during meals, negatively impact proper nutrition, and even affect mental health. Imagine sitting down to a favorite comfort food only to find it completely bland, or worse, tasting unpleasant or metallic. This altered sensation can make not only eating but socializing around food stressful or unenjoyable. Understanding how and why taste loss happens—and knowing when and how to seek help from ENT (Ear, Nose, and Throat) specialists—can make a meaningful difference in your recovery process.

Recognizing and addressing taste loss is a key step toward restoring quality of life after COVID-19.

How COVID-19 Affects Your Sense of Taste

COVID-19 has surprised both patients and doctors by affecting the senses in unexpected ways. Among these, taste loss is one of the most commonly reported and distressing symptoms. Taste perception doesn’t rely solely on your tongue; it’s intricately tied to your sense of smell, so damage to either can alter how you experience flavors.

The Connection Between Smell and Taste

It’s important to understand that taste dysfunction can result not only from problems with the taste buds but also from impaired smell, which heavily influences flavor perception. Because our experience of flavor depends largely on the sense of smell, losing your smell (anosmia) often leads to diminished or distorted taste perception. This is why after COVID-19, many people report that familiar dishes suddenly taste bland or “off.” For instance, the rich flavor of coffee or the sweetness of chocolate may seem muted or strangely altered, causing a confusing or unpleasant experience when eating.

Common Symptoms of Post-COVID Taste Loss

Individuals may experience a variety of symptoms, including:

• A reduced ability to detect one or more of the five basic tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, or umami.
• Distorted or mixed-up flavors, medically known as parosmia or parageusia—types of dysgeusia where familiar tastes seem altered, sometimes unpleasantly.
• The presence of metallic, foul, or unexpected tastes lingering in the mouth.
• A decreased appetite and reduced enjoyment of eating, which can cause frustration and lead to unintentional weight loss.
• Subsequent impacts on nutrition and mood, underscoring that taste dysfunction is not merely a sensory issue but can have broader health consequences.

Fortunately, for many people, taste starts to improve within a few weeks after recovery from acute COVID-19. However, a significant subset of patients continue to struggle with taste changes for several months or longer, often referred to as Long COVID.^[1][2]

Persistent taste changes underscore the importance of timely assessment and supportive care.

ENT Expert Recommended Recovery Tips

The medical team at the Sleep and Sinus Centers of Georgia encourages patients to approach taste recovery with hope and patience. While post-COVID taste loss can sometimes be stubborn, there are well-researched strategies to support healing and improvement.

Taste and Smell Training Exercises

Among the recovery strategies supported by research, smell training is commonly recommended. This approach leverages the close link between smell and taste to help promote recovery of the olfactory nerves and related pathways that contribute to flavor perception.

How to Perform Smell Retraining:

• Select four familiar and distinct scents, such as lemon, rose, eucalyptus, and cloves—popular choices due to their distinct profiles.
• Twice daily, gently sniff each scent for about 15 seconds, paying close attention.
• While inhaling, visualize the scent clearly, recalling its presence and qualities. This mental engagement may enhance neural recovery.
• Maintain a consistent routine, performing these exercises daily.
• After approximately three months, refresh the selection of scents to maintain stimulation and prevent adaptation.
• Always test scents cautiously and discontinue any that cause irritation or allergic reactions.

Research indicates that this form of smell retraining works best with patience and long-term commitment. Patients who follow this approach for several months often report gradual improvements in both smell and taste.^[1] For more detailed guidance, visit our full guide on smell retraining.

Nutritional Support for Recovery

Proper nutrition plays a key role in supporting nerve health and taste receptor regeneration. To optimize recovery:

• Incorporate nutrient-dense foods, especially those rich in zinc, vitamins A, B12, D, and omega-3 fatty acids—all important for nerve function and repair.
• Make meals appealing by varying textures and temperatures—for example, alternating between crunchy and soft foods or warm and cool dishes—to stimulate your mouth’s sensory receptors.
• Avoid overly spicy or heavily seasoned foods if they cause discomfort or irritation during recovery.
• Stay well-hydrated to keep oral tissues healthy, since dryness can further dampen taste sensations.

Consult with a dietitian or healthcare provider before starting any vitamin or mineral supplementation to ensure safe and appropriate use.

Oral Hygiene Practices

Good oral hygiene is especially important for those coping with taste changes, as mouth health directly affects taste perception.

• Brush and floss regularly to eliminate bacteria and food particles that may negatively impact taste.
• Use a gentle, alcohol-free mouthwash to rinse away irritants without drying out the mouth.
• To combat dry mouth, employ a humidifier in living areas and maintain good hydration, as dryness can exacerbate taste dysfunction.

Maintaining oral health supports the sensory environment needed for taste recovery.

Treatments and Therapies for Post-COVID Taste Loss

Medical and Emerging Treatment Options

If symptoms of taste loss do not improve or worsen, expert evaluation at the Sleep and Sinus Centers of Georgia can help identify further treatment options tailored to your condition.

Available Medical Treatments

• Corticosteroid Therapy: In selected cases, a short course of nasal or oral corticosteroids may reduce inflammation in nasal passages and support nerve healing. This treatment is carefully prescribed due to potential side effects.
• Zinc and Vitamin Supplements: Testing for nutrient deficiencies is important since low levels of zinc or certain vitamins can impair taste recovery. Supplementation may be recommended but only under medical supervision.
• Ruling Out Other Causes: Persistent taste loss might be due to other underlying issues such as chronic sinusitis, nasal polyps, or benign nasal growths. Comprehensive ENT evaluations help rule out or manage these conditions. Learn more about our comprehensive otolaryngology care.

Emerging Therapies and Clinical Trials

• Stellate Ganglion Block (SGB): This minimally invasive procedure involves injecting an anesthetic near a key nerve bundle to improve nerve function. A recent preliminary study reported that up to 90% of Long COVID patients receiving SGB noted improvement in smell or taste within a week of treatment; however, further research is needed to validate these findings before this becomes a standard treatment.^[2]
• Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP): For patients with prolonged parosmia or persistent taste and smell distortion lasting more than six months, PRP therapy is currently being studied in clinical trials. This innovative treatment aims to stimulate neural repair through injections of concentrated platelets and holds promise for long-term recovery.^[1]

Ongoing research is essential to confirm safety and effectiveness of these emerging therapies.

Lifestyle and Care Advice

Managing Related Symptoms and When to Get Professional Help

If you are experiencing a combination of post-COVID symptoms such as continued smell loss, dry mouth, or nasal congestion, several practical lifestyle adjustments may help improve your quality of life during recovery.

Handling Concurrent Smell Loss and Dry Mouth

• Use a room humidifier to maintain moisture in your nasal and oral passages, supporting sensory receptor health.
• Try over-the-counter saliva substitutes or sugar-free lozenges to relieve dry mouth symptoms.
• Enhance meal enjoyment by focusing on flavor diversity and appealing textures, such as colorful fruits and vegetables or crunchy snacks, to engage your senses.

When Should You See an ENT Specialist?

Seek professional evaluation if:

• Post-COVID taste loss persists beyond three to six months without improvement.
• Your symptoms worsen or significantly interfere with eating, drinking, or social interactions.
• New symptoms appear, such as nasal congestion, growths, or severe dryness.

Consulting an ENT specialist allows for a personalized recovery plan, potentially combining diagnostic assessment, medical therapies, and rehabilitation strategies. To learn more, see our guide on when to see an ENT.

Early intervention can improve outcomes and help restore taste function.

Frequently Asked Questions about Post-COVID Taste Loss

How long does taste loss last after COVID-19?
While most people see partial or full recovery within a few weeks, some experience symptoms lasting several months or longer, a condition known as Long COVID.^[1]

Can taste loss recover without treatment?
Spontaneous recovery is possible, but targeted therapies like smell retraining often accelerate and improve the quality of recovery.^[2]

What is the difference between smell and taste loss?
Taste loss (ageusia) refers to the inability to perceive the five fundamental tastes: sweet, salty, sour, bitter, and umami. Smell loss (anosmia) affects your ability to detect odors, which often distorts flavor perception because smell and taste work closely together.

Are there risks involved with treatments like steroids or SGB?
All medical treatments carry some risks and benefits. Your ENT specialist will carefully evaluate your individual situation and recommend the safest and most effective treatment options.

How can I safely perform smell retraining at home?
Use natural scents such as essential oils or dried herbs, commit to regular twice-daily practice, and avoid any substances that cause irritation, allergic reactions, or discomfort. Discontinue training with any scent that causes adverse effects.

Key Takeaways on Post-COVID Taste Recovery

Recovering your sense of taste after COVID-19 can be a slow and sometimes frustrating journey. The encouraging news is that most people regain their taste sensation, especially when following consistent self-care routines and evidence-based strategies like smell retraining. Early consultation and ongoing support from ENT specialists at the Sleep and Sinus Centers of Georgia can be invaluable in creating a personalized plan tailored to your needs.

As ongoing research unveils new understandings and innovative treatments become more widely available, managing post-COVID taste loss is becoming increasingly feasible. The keys to successful recovery are persistence, timely action, and expert guidance. If you or someone you know is still struggling with post-COVID taste loss, we encourage you to book an appointment with an ENT specialist to explore your treatment options and help bring flavor back to life.

With patience and expert support, taste recovery is possible.

References

[1] Yale Medicine: When Loss of Smell and Taste Occurs with Long COVID
[2] Jefferson Health: Doctors Feel Hopeful About Restoring Taste and Smell Loss After COVID

Note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. If you are experiencing persistent taste or smell loss or other post-COVID symptoms, please consult an ENT specialist for appropriate diagnosis and treatment.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider for diagnosis and treatment.