Recently, my partner faced a bout of COVID-19. While he experienced significant illness, thankfully, he avoided hospitalization. He suffered from a persistent cough that drained his energy after sleepless nights. Although his appetite diminished, he was relieved to find that his sense of taste and smell remained intact—something we anticipated would change any moment. However, that fear never materialized, until an unexpected twist occurred.
While preparing a simple dinner of fried rice, a dish my entire family enjoys, I was surprised by my partner’s reaction. He had just ended his 14-day isolation and joined me in the kitchen for the first time. As I cooked—using just rice, soy sauce, shrimp, peas, carrots, green onions, and a touch of garlic—he scrunched his face and exclaimed, “How many onions did you use?” Confused, I assured him there were no onions aside from a sprinkling of green onions for garnish. The aroma was so intense for him that he had to leave the room. Odd, right?
The following morning, while our son prepared a Pop Tart, my partner once again detected an overwhelming scent of grilled onions—despite there being none in sight. At this point, I realized something was amiss. I had heard about unusual sensory changes after COVID, known as parosmia.
Understanding Parosmia
In essence, parosmia refers to a distorted sense of smell. It’s more common than one might think and can cause familiar scents to become unrecognizable—turning pleasant aromas into unpleasant ones, like the smell of garbage or burnt food. Since smell and taste are interconnected, this can also lead to food tasting off, which can be quite disheartening.
According to Healthline, various factors can lead to parosmia, particularly respiratory infections like COVID, along with head injuries and certain neurological conditions. Individuals suffering from this condition may experience secondary effects such as weight loss, decreased appetite, and depression. In the context of COVID, parosmia can be a long-lasting symptom, lingering for over four weeks. Typical foul smells associated with parosmia include sewage, burnt odors, gasoline, and even rotten food. Moreover, its distortion can pose safety concerns, as it may hinder the ability to detect smoke or gas leaks.
A study from May 2021 indicated that participants with parosmia experienced symptoms lasting anywhere from nine days to six months, with the average case lasting three to four months. The condition is believed to arise from damage to the olfactory receptors and nerves, although improvement can vary, and there is no definitive cure.
Managing Parosmia
If you find yourself grappling with parosmia, consider these strategies suggested by Healthline:
- Engage in Smell Training: This involves regularly smelling specific scents for 20 seconds, twice daily, over several months. Common scents include fruity, floral, spicy, and resinous.
- Avoid Trigger Foods: Steer clear of items like meat, fish, and onions.
- Adopt a Bland Diet: Focus on foods that are easy on the palate and rich in essential nutrients.
- Serve Food Cold: Heat can amplify unpleasant scents.
- Minimize Exposure to Strong Odors: Avoid restaurants, grocery stores, and other scent-rich environments.
- Ventilate Your Space: Keep windows open to dilute strong smells in your home or car.
While a complete cure for parosmia is elusive, these tips may help you manage the condition better. As always, to mitigate the risks associated with COVID and its symptoms, remember to practice good hygiene, wear masks, and consider getting vaccinated.
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In summary, parosmia can significantly alter your sense of smell after a COVID infection, leading to a range of unpleasant experiences with food and the environment. While it may not be curable, there are ways to manage it effectively.
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