I Can't Smell

About the Symptom

Abnormal sense of smell (Dysosmia) can be a partial or complete loss of sense of smell (anosmia). It can be due to any number of things including infection, masses such as polyps, or direct toxic damage to the nerves of smell (olfactory nerves). This can also affect taste as a large portion of what is taste is due to the smell except the basic taste perceptions of bitter, sweet, salty, and sour.

When to See a Doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Numbness / sensory disorder
• Visual field defect
• Change in personality
• Head injury
• Fine tremor of the fingers
• Fever
• Altered mental status (delirium)
• Involuntary movements
• Impossible to walk normally
• Muscle weakness in the limbs
• Blurring of vision
• Headache

Possible Causes

Generally, I can't smell can be related to:

• Dissociative Disorder

  Dissociative disorder is a mental disorder that involves experiencing a disconnection and lack of continuity between thoughts, memories, surroundings, actions, and identity. People with dissociative disorder escape reality in ways that are involuntary and unhealthy, causing problems with functioning in everyday life.

• Parkinson's Disease

  A progressive nervous system disorder affecting movement. It occurs due to nerve cell damage in the brain. The exact cause for PD is unknown. Risk factors include genetics, male gender, old age, and exposure to certain toxins and environmental factors.

• Rhinitis Sicca

  A condition where the inside of the nose is abnormally dry, causing mucus to crust and nosebleeds. It can be caused by medications, radiotherapy to the nose, or long-term infections. Often, no clear cause is found.

• Allergic Rhinitis / Allergic Conjunctivitis (Including Spring Catarrh)
• Influenza (Flu)
• Ear Infection
• Diabetes Mellitus
• Sinusitis

Related Serious Diseases

Sometimes, I can't smell may be related to these serious diseases:

• Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea

  Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is a condition where CSF, the fluid surrounding the brain, leaks into the nose and sinuses. Common causes include head trauma, sinus or skull base surgery, or increased pressure inside the skull and brain tissue. In some cases, the leak is spontaneous and the cause is unknown. Headache is a common accompanying symptom.

• Brain Tumor

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

• Have you noticed any changes in your sense of smell?
• When did you first notice the changes in your sense of smell?
• How often have you experienced changes in your sense of smell?
• How are your changes in sense of smell now?

Find Similar Symptoms

FAQs

References

• Marin C, Vilas D, Langdon C, Alobid I, López-Chacón M, Haehner A, Hummel T, Mullol J. Olfactory Dysfunction in Neurodegenerative Diseases. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2018 Jun 15;18(8):42. doi: 10.1007/s11882-018-0796-4. PMID: 29904888.

  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11882-018-0796-4

• Shin T, Kim J, Ahn M, Moon C. Olfactory Dysfunction in CNS Neuroimmunological Disorders: a Review. Mol Neurobiol. 2019 May;56(5):3714-3721. doi: 10.1007/s12035-018-1341-0. Epub 2018 Sep 6. PMID: 30191380.

  https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12035-018-1341-0

• D'Ascanio L, Pandolfini M, Cingolani C, Latini G, Gradoni P, Capalbo M, Frausini G, Maranzano M, Brenner MJ, Di Stadio A. Olfactory Dysfunction in COVID-19 Patients: Prevalence and Prognosis for Recovering Sense of Smell. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2021 Jan;164(1):82-86. doi: 10.1177/0194599820943530. Epub 2020 Jul 14. PMID: 32662745.

  https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0194599820943530

• Prediger RD, Schamne MG, Sampaio TB, Moreira ELG, Rial D. Animal models of olfactory dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases. Handb Clin Neurol. 2019;164:431-452. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-63855-7.00024-1. PMID: 31604561.

  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780444638557000241?via%3Dihub