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Tag: anosmia

Dear Doc: Can allergy be blamed for loss of smell?

Dear Doc: Can allergy be blamed for loss of smell?

Dear Dr. K: I’ve lost my sense of smell. Could this be due to allergy?

The answer to your question is, yes, it could be, but it is unlikely. I say that because on your recent visit here your allergies were under excellent control and the only time I’ve seen anosmia (loss of sense of smell) from allergy is when it is severely out of control.

A complication of allergy that frequently causes anosmia is nasal polyposis. Treatments of the polyps via nasal sprays and/or surgery usually returns the sense of olfaction (smell).

New entry for the “Don’t text and drive” list

New entry for the “Don’t text and drive” list

Believe it or not, the greatest increase in anosmia is coming from texting! This stems from the dramatic increase in “rear-ender” automobile accidents due to texting while driving. The whiplash injury frequently seen in these mishaps causes disruption (tearing) of the olfactory nerve as these fibers pass through the cranial bone into the nasal chamber.

Other neurologic problems that can cause loss of smell include meningitis, benign and malignant brain tumors in the frontal lobe area, and cerebral artery aneurysms. Finally, loss of sense of smell can occur as an early sign of Parkinson’s disease.

Going back to the allergy question, a very common cause of anosmia is chronic use of nasal decongestants such as Afrin, Neo-Synephrine and four-way nasal sprays. These medicines work by constricting blood vessels in the nasal membranes, and when used for protracted periods can lead to vascular injury to the delicate olfactory nerves.

Infections are another common anosmia cause; simple colds often cause a decrease in the sense of smell. Some viral and bacterial infections, however, can cause a more severe and protracted effect on smell sensation via toxicity to the olfactory nerves.

Also, certain molecular deficiencies can cause the loss, most notably low serum zinc levels and low vitamin B12 levels.

Finally, certain volatile chemical agents can cause loss of smell through either low-grade, long-term exposure or through accidental high-dose toxic exposure.