I Can't Smell
Free Symptom Checker
with Physician-supervised AI
Reviewed By:
Eric A. Gantwerker, MD, MMSC (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Northwell Health and Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He holds a Master of Medical Science (MMSc) in Medical Education with a special focus on educational technology, educational research, and game-based learning from Harvard Medical School and a Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University. He has a special interest in faculty development and has been a speaker or faculty at hundreds of local, national, and international courses and conferences. He is also an active blogger and podcaster for several organizations, including the Harvard Macy Institute (HMI), Harvard Medical School CME Online, and BackTable Innovations. He has been featured in the news and print for media outlets such as USA Today, Businesswire, The Washington Post, Nature Medicine, Fox News, and KevinMD. He was also the Vice President, Medical Director of a medical video game company, Level Ex from 2018 to 2023 that utilized game technology and psychology to create interactive experiences for healthcare professionals. | He is recognized as an expert on the implementation of educational technologies and gaming with a foundation in educational theory for health professions education. He was honored to be inducted as an Associate Member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators and as an Associate Fellow of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE).
Rohini R, MD (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Dr. Rohini R is an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, with a Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery and a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine and Lasers. Besides clinical practice and working with Ubie, she is actively training and mentoring medical students and residents. She has functioned in various work settings - teaching hospitals, private and free health centers, and worked with patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds due to her experience in free hospitals and volunteering in India and Singapore.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
Content updated on Apr 4, 2024
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
Worried about your symptoms?
Start the I Can't Smell test with our free AI Symptom Checker.
This will help us personalize your assessment.
By starting the symptom checker, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Try one of these related symptoms.
I can't smell
Bad sense of smell
Strange sense of smell
Difficulty smelling
Can't smell as well as usual
Impaired smell
Olfactory disorder
Disorder of sense of smell
How Ubie Can Help You
With a free 3-min I Can't Smell quiz, powered by Ubie's AI and doctors, find possible causes of your symptoms.
This questionnaire is customized to your situation and symptoms, including the following personal information:
Biological Sex - helps us provide relevant suggestions for male vs. female conditions.
Age - adjusts our guidance based on any age-related health factors.
History - considers past illnesses, surgeries, family history, and lifestyle choices.
Your symptoms
Our AI
Your report
Your personal report will tell you
✔ When to see a doctor
✔︎ What causes your symptoms
✔︎ Treatment information etc.
People with similar symptoms also use Ubie's symptom checker to find possible causes
- I have abnormal sense of smell
- Losing my sense of smell
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizAbout 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- Allergic Rhinitis / Allergic Conjunctivitis (Including Spring Catarrh)
A condition caused by allergens like pollen and dust mites, resulting in a runny nose, stuffy nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes.
- Influenza (Flu)
- Ear Infection
- Diabetes Mellitus
- Sinusitis
- Pregnancy
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:
- Do you have any change in your sense of smell?
- How long have you had an abnormal or strange sense of smell?
- Have you experienced an abnormal or strange sense of smell in the past?
- How has your sense of smell changed since it first became abnormal?
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizFAQs
Q.
How Can I Get Sense of Taste and Smell Back After COVID Infection?
A.
It seems that the large majority of people (>80%) will completely recover their sense of taste or smell in about one month after COVID infection.
References:
Othieno F, Schlosser RJ, Rowan NR, Storck KA, Mattos JL, Smith TL, Soler ZM. Taste impairment in chronic rhinosinusitis. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2018 Jul;8(7):783-789. doi: 10.1002/alr.22113. Epub 2018 Mar 23. PMID: 29569385; PMCID: PMC6582951.
Mitchell MB, Workman AD, Rathi VK, Bhattacharyya N. Smell and Taste Loss Associated with COVID-19 Infection. Laryngoscope. 2023 Sep;133(9):2357-2361. doi: 10.1002/lary.30802. Epub 2023 Jun 2. PMID: 37265267.
Mitchell MB, Workman AD, Rathi VK, Bhattacharyya N. Smell and Taste Loss Associated with COVID-19 Infection. Laryngoscope. 2023 Sep;133(9):2357-2361. doi: 10.1002/lary.30802. Epub 2023 Jun 2. PMID: 37265267.
Q.
What Are the Symptoms of Smell Dysfunction (Dysosmia)?
A.
Smell dysfunction, or dysosmia, encompasses a range of symptoms, including a reduced ability to smell (hyposmia), a distorted sense of smell (parosmia), phantom smells (phantosmia), and a complete loss of smell (anosmia).
References:
Feldman JI, Wright HN, Leopold DA. The initial evaluation of dysosmia. Am J Otolaryngol. 1986 Nov-Dec;7(6):431-44. doi: 10.1016/s0196-0709(86)80019-9. PMID: 3541661.
Kühn M, Abolmaali N, Smitka M, Podlesek D, Hummel T. Riechstörungen : Aktuelles zur Diagnostik und Therapie [Dysosmia : current aspects of diagnostics and therapy]. HNO. 2013 Nov;61(11):975-84; quiz 985. German. doi: 10.1007/s00106-013-2759-3. PMID: 24221226.
Find Similar Symptoms
Symptoms from similar body parts
Symptoms treated by the same specialty
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/s11882-018-0796-4Shin 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/s12035-018-1341-0D'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/10.1177/0194599820943530Prediger 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
Reviewed By:
Eric A. Gantwerker, MD, MMSC (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Pediatric Otolaryngologist at Northwell Health and Associate Professor of Otolaryngology at Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. He holds a Master of Medical Science (MMSc) in Medical Education with a special focus on educational technology, educational research, and game-based learning from Harvard Medical School and a Master of Science in Physiology and Biophysics from Georgetown University. He has a special interest in faculty development and has been a speaker or faculty at hundreds of local, national, and international courses and conferences. He is also an active blogger and podcaster for several organizations, including the Harvard Macy Institute (HMI), Harvard Medical School CME Online, and BackTable Innovations. He has been featured in the news and print for media outlets such as USA Today, Businesswire, The Washington Post, Nature Medicine, Fox News, and KevinMD. He was also the Vice President, Medical Director of a medical video game company, Level Ex from 2018 to 2023 that utilized game technology and psychology to create interactive experiences for healthcare professionals. | He is recognized as an expert on the implementation of educational technologies and gaming with a foundation in educational theory for health professions education. He was honored to be inducted as an Associate Member of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) Academy of Master Surgeon Educators and as an Associate Fellow of the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE).
Rohini R, MD (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Dr. Rohini R is an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, with a Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery and a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine and Lasers. Besides clinical practice and working with Ubie, she is actively training and mentoring medical students and residents. She has functioned in various work settings - teaching hospitals, private and free health centers, and worked with patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds due to her experience in free hospitals and volunteering in India and Singapore.
Shohei Harase, MD (Neurology)
Dr. Harase spent his junior and senior high school years in Finland and the U.S. After graduating from the University of Washington (Bachelor of Science, Molecular and Cellular Biology), he worked for Apple Japan Inc. before entering the University of the Ryukyus School of Medicine. He completed his residency at Okinawa Prefectural Chubu Hospital, where he received the Best Resident Award in 2016 and 2017. In 2021, he joined the Department of Cerebrovascular Medicine at the National Cerebral and Cardiovascular Center, specializing in hyperacute stroke.
What People Say about Ubie?
Male, 30s
I got more answers in one minute through your site than I did in three hours with Google.
(Sep 29, 2024)
Male, 20s
My experience was great. I was worried, but the symptom checker helped me narrow down what it might be. I feel a little relieved compared to when I first started, and it gives me a starting point for what my symptoms could mean.
(Sep 27, 2024)
Male, 50s
The questions asked and possible causes seemed spot on, putting me at ease for a next-step solution.
(Sep 26, 2024)
Female, 40s
I was actually very impressed with the results it provided because, although I didn’t mention it during the questionnaire because I thought it was unrelated, it suggested I may have something I’ve actually been diagnosed with in the past.
(Sep 25, 2024)
Just 3 minutes.
Developed by doctors.
Try Free Symptom QuizUbie is supervised by 50+ medical experts worldwide
Our symptom checker AI is continuously refined with input from experienced physicians, empowering them to make more accurate diagnoses.
Ubie is recognized by healthcare and tech leaders
“World’s Best Digital
Health Companies”
Newsweek 2024
“Best With AI”
Google Play Best of 2023
“Best in Class”
Digital Health Awards 2023 (Quarterfinalist)
Which is the best Symptom Checker?
Ubie’s symptom checker demonstrated a Top-10 hit accuracy of 71.6%, surpassing the performance of several leading symptom checkers in the market, which averaged around 60% accuracy in similar assessments.
Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1