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Your smell
- I cannot smell coffee, food or perfume well.
- Food tastes flat.
- Smells seem strange or unpleasant (distorted).
How it started
- After a cold, flu or viral fever.
- Slowly, along with a blocked nose.
- Along with allergies or sinus problems.
Red flags
- Smell loss on one side only.
- Blocked nose on one side with bleeding.
- Smell loss with new headaches or vision changes.
What your ticks may mean
Smell loss after a virus often improves with time and smell training. Gradual loss with a blocked nose may be due to swelling or nasal polyps, which can be seen on a nasal endoscopy and treated.
See a doctor soon if
You ticked any red flag, or your smell has not returned after 3 months. An ENT evaluation can find the cause.