Losing your sense of smell or taste can be frustrating, especially when you’re battling a cold. These senses play a big role in appetite, comfort, and overall wellbeing, so it’s natural to feel concerned when they suddenly disappear. Fortunately, temporary loss of smell or taste is a common cold symptom and usually improves as your congestion begins to clear. Understanding why this happens can help you manage symptoms more confidently.
If you’re feeling sick, or experiencing symptoms like loss of smell or taste, walk into AFC Urgent Care Chestnut Hill for same-day diagnostic testing. We have a laboratory on-site and are able to test for many common conditions, all on a walk-in basis. We’re open 7 days a week from 8am to 8pm. Walk in today, or save your spot online using the button below.
Is My Loss of Smell and Taste Due to a Cold?
Yes, many people experience reduced smell and taste during a cold. The viruses responsible for the common cold cause inflammation in your nasal passages, making it harder for air and scent particles to reach the olfactory nerves. Since taste is closely linked to smell, your ability to enjoy flavors becomes limited too. Most of the time, this loss is temporary and improves once nasal congestion resolves.
Why Did I Lose My Sense of Smell?
Your sense of smell comes from the olfactory system found high inside the nasal cavity. When a cold triggers swelling, mucus buildup, or blockage in your nose, these pathways become restricted. As a result:
- Scents cannot travel to the olfactory receptors.
- Nasal passages become inflamed and swollen.
- Mucus prevents proper airflow.
- Once the inflammation reduces and your nose opens up again, your sense of smell typically returns to normal.
Why Did I Lose My Sense of Taste?
Taste and smell work together to help you experience flavors. When you can't smell properly, even strong-tasting foods seem bland or muted. A cold may also affect taste buds temporarily, especially if post-nasal drip causes throat irritation. Common reasons for taste loss during a cold include:
- Blocked olfactory nerves.
- Mouth breathing, which dries the tongue.
- Reduced saliva due to dehydration.
- Irritation from coughing or mucus drainage.
As your congestion improves, your taste buds begin functioning normally again.
What to Do Next?
If your cold is causing temporary loss of smell or taste, simple remedies can help speed up your recovery:
- Stay hydrated to thin mucus.
- Use warm showers or steam inhalation to open nasal passages.
- Try saline nasal sprays to reduce congestion.
- Get plenty of rest to support your immune system.
- Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air.
Most people start to regain their senses within a few days to a week after cold symptoms peak.
Visit AFC Chestnut Hill for Rapid Symptom Diagnosis and Treatment
If your loss of smell or taste lasts more than two weeks, becomes worse instead of improving, or occurs with severe headache, high fever, or facial pain, it may signal a sinus infection or another condition needing medical attention. Our walk-in clinic can evaluate your symptoms, provide fast treatment, and rule out more serious causes, helping you recover safely and quickly.
At AFC Chestnut Hill, we’re committed to providing convenient healthcare without sacrificing quality or compassion. Our clinic makes it easy to receive prompt symptom diagnosis and accurate treatment. We provide care to patients of all ages, all without having to schedule an appointment in advance. Our clinic works with most medical insurance plans, and we have competitive rates for patients paying out of pocket for their medical care. Walk in today for rapid same-day care, or give us a call to learn more about the conditions we treat by calling (617) 582-2200.
