Anosmia: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Anosmia?
Anosmia, the loss of the sense of smell, is usually treated by an otolaryngologist, a doctor who specializes in the ear, nose, and throat (also called an ENT doctor). They can find the cause and offer treatment options. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is anosmia?
Anosmia is the complete inability to detect odors, or smell. A weaker version is called hyposmia, a reduced ability to smell. In rare cases, a person is born without a sense of smell. Most people who develop a smell disorder have had a recent illness or injury. Loss of smell is not serious by itself, but it can sometimes be a sign of a nervous system condition.
Smell and taste work closely together. Chewing food releases aromas that reach smell cells high inside the nose through a channel connecting the throat to the nose. Without smell, foods tend to taste bland. Many people who lose their sense of smell complain that they have also lost their sense of taste.
Symptoms
The main sign is not being able to smell odors, or smelling them more weakly than before. This can affect daily life in several ways:
- Foods taste bland, so eating becomes less enjoyable.
- Some people eat too little and lose weight, while others eat too much and gain weight.
- Loss of smell can lead to depression in severe cases.
Causes and who gets it
Common causes of smell disorders include:
- Aging. Some loss of smell happens with age.
- Sinus and other upper respiratory infections, such as colds, flu, or COVID-19. Temporary loss of smell is common with colds and nasal allergies like hay fever.
- Blockage of the nose from nasal polyps or other growths in the nasal cavities.
- Head injury.
- Smoking.
- Exposure to certain chemicals, such as insecticides and solvents.
- Some medicines, including certain antibiotics and antihistamines.
- Conditions that affect the nervous system, such as Parkinson's disease or Alzheimer's disease. A smell disorder can be an early sign of these conditions.
Problems with smell increase as people get older, and they are more common in men than women.
How doctors diagnose it
The doctor will do a physical exam of the ears, nose, and throat and ask about your health history, such as contact with toxic chemicals or any injury. A smell test done with a health care professional is part of the checkup. One common test is a paper booklet with pages that hold tiny beads filled with specific odors. You scratch each page and try to name the odor. Tests may also include a CT scan or MRI scan, which are imaging tests that take pictures inside the body, and nasal endoscopy, a test that lets the doctor look inside the nose.
Treatment
Treating the cause may correct the lost sense of smell. Treatment can include:
- Antihistamines if the cause is an allergy.
- Changing a medicine that affects smell.
- Surgery to remove blockages such as polyps and restore airflow.
- Steroid nasal sprays or decongestants if a stuffy nose is the cause.
Olfactory retraining therapy, which means smelling familiar odors, can help improve the sense of smell in a minority of patients. Many people recover smell naturally after an upper respiratory infection. There is no treatment for loss of smell due to aging. If the loss cannot be treated, counseling can help you adjust, and home safety steps matter: use smoke detectors, label when food was opened to avoid eating spoiled food, and use equipment that detects gas leaks.
When to see a doctor
Talk to a doctor if the loss of smell continues or gets worse, or if you have other unexplained symptoms. Because smell is your warning system for dangers like fire, spoiled food, or a gas leak, take safety steps right away if you cannot smell. A smell disorder can be an early sign of a serious nervous system condition, so it deserves a medical checkup.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. This kind of doctor can examine you, review medicines that may affect smell, and refer you to an ENT doctor. They can also follow up with you over time while the cause is being treated.
Common questions
Can anosmia go away?
It can. If the cause is treated, the lost sense of smell may return. Loss of smell after a recent upper respiratory infection often returns to normal without treatment. Some people recover their sense of smell for no obvious reason.
Why does food taste bland when I cannot smell?
Smell and taste work together. Chewing releases food aromas that travel to smell cells high inside the nose. Without those signals, the tongue still senses salty, sweet, sour, and bitter, but most flavor is gone.
Can medicine cause loss of smell?
Yes. Some medicines change or decrease the ability to detect odors, including certain antibiotics and antihistamines. Talk to your doctor before stopping any medicine, because lowering the dose or switching drugs may reduce the effect on your sense of smell.
Is loss of smell dangerous?
The loss itself is not serious, but it removes a natural warning system for smoke, gas leaks, and spoiled food. Home safety steps help. It can also be an early sign of a nervous system condition, so see a doctor.
Sources
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders - Smell (Olfactory) Disorders: Anosmia, Phantosmia & Others
- MedlinePlus - Smell - impaired
- NHS - Lost or changed sense of smell
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
