Can You Lose Taste and Smell With Allergies?

Can you lose taste and smell with allergies? Unfortunately, for some people with severe allergies, this is a very real possibility. According to the experts, losing your sense of taste and smell can be a symptom of anaphylaxis, which is a potentially life-threatening reaction to an allergen. If you think you may be experiencing anaphylaxis, it's important to seek medical help immediately.

Can You Lose Taste and Smell with Allergies?

Sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes are typical symptoms of allergies. But can you lose taste and smell with allergies? The answer depends on your symptoms.

If your allergy symptoms are severe, then you might lose your sense of taste or sense of smell. This is because a stuffy or runny nose can interfere with your sense of smell.

The loss of taste and smell due to allergies is milder than what COVID patients experience.

How Allergic Rhinitis Can Affect Your Sense of Smell and Taste

Our taste buds on our tongues can detect the flavors of different foods and send them to the brain where they are then processed.

The sense of taste, however, relies on receptors in the tongue.

The senses of smell and taste work in tandem to create flavors. If one of them isn't working, then the other can't either.

Allergic rhinitis is caused by histamine being released by the immune system in response to allergens.

This can cause the airways to become inflamed, leading to breathing difficulties.

This can impair your sense of smell and taste because the congestion from the inflammation can block airflow to your nose and tongue. This makes it harder for your tongue to determine tastes, and you may not be able to smell as well either.

Allergic Rhinitis causes nasal polyp growth, which blocks the airflow through the nostrils. This loss of taste or sense of smell is a direct result of the close proximity of taste buds and olfactory receptors.

The link between taste, scent, and hearing means that if one of these senses isn’t working, the others won’t be either.

How Long Will It Take For My Sense of Smell and Taste to Come Back?

It varies from person to person, but most people experience it coming back within a few weeks to a few months.

There are many ways that you can help get your smell back.

What Can You Do?

If you're experiencing a loss in taste or sense of smell, it's most likely due to a buildup of mucus. To alleviate this problem, you can try the following tips.

Steam can help clear a congested or runny nose. The moisture in the vapor helps break up the congestion while the warmth soothes the inflamed tissue.

If you have a cold and you’re looking to clear your sinuses, try taking a steamy shower and drinking some hot water.

Inflammation may be causing your lack of taste or sense of smell. This can be addressed with dietary changes.

One anti-inflammatory method is to take an herbal supplement like Devil’s Claw.

When it comes to treating allergies, herbal remedies are preferable to traditional medications as they cause fewer side effects.

If you're suffering from allergies, try avoiding food and drinks that are high in the chemical histamine. This substance can exacerbate your allergy symptoms, such as a loss of taste or sense of smell. So cut down on caffeine, alcohol, smoked meat, and cashews.

Alternatively, many foods contain low levels of histamine such as eggs, fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs, and tea.

Echinaforce Echinacea Drops can help support your immune system when it is under pressure from allergens.

This herbal remedy is created using freshly harvested echinacea, which preserves all of the herb’s health benefits.

Rinsing with a saltwater solution is another way to clear your nasal passages of irritants.

A saltwater solution is a mixture of half a teaspoon of baking soda and salt, and one cup of hot water.

A Neti Pot can be used to relieve nasal and sinus problems, which are often the cause of a loss of taste or sense of smell. To use it, follow the directions that came with it.

Nettle tea is a great way to reduce the symptoms of allergic rhinitis by reducing histamine release in the body. This will help to improve your sense of smell and taste.

If you're looking to reduce your allergy-related nasal congestion, eating more foods that are high in vitamin C could help minimize symptoms. These include citrus fruits, berries, broccoli, and potatoes.

How To Ease Allergy Symptoms

While you can’t prevent all allergic reactions, you can reduce your exposure to known allergen sources. One way to do this is by avoiding your triggers. If you can't avoid exposure to your triggers, talk to your doctor about taking medication before exposure. This can help lessen your symptoms.

Conclusion

Can you lose taste and smell with allergies? If you're struggling with allergies and you lose your sense of taste and smell, this can be a symptom of anaphylaxis, which is a potentially life-threatening reaction to an allergen. If you think you may be experiencing anaphylaxis, seek medical help immediately.