Why Can't I Smell Anything? Understanding Smell Loss

Your sense of smell can disappear surprisingly quickly. One day you can smell your morning coffee, notice the scent of shampoo, or tell when dinner is cooking, and the next day everything seems completely scentless.

Research finds that people with smell disorders report a lower quality of life than before their sense of smell changed. This is because loss of smell can affect much more than your ability to enjoy pleasant aromas. Your sense of smell also plays a big role in your ability to taste flavor and can help you detect hazards like smoke, spoiled food, and gas leaks. 

Smell disorders have many possible causes, including infections, nasal problems, head injuries, medications, and certain medical conditions. Allergies and nasal inflammation can also interfere with your ability to smell by blocking odors from reaching the sensory cells high inside the nose. 

Read on to learn how the best ENT in Torrance can help identify the causes of your loss of smell and what treatments are available. 

Why Did I Suddenly Lose My Sense of Smell?

Smell loss can happen for many reasons. Most commonly, a blocked or inflamed nose can prevent odor molecules from reaching the smell receptors. Other problems can affect the sensory nerves or the way the brain processes smell. While some causes are temporary, others require medical treatment or continued monitoring. 

Some causes of partial or total loss of the sense of smell include:

• Colds and other upper respiratory infections
• Seasonal or environmental allergies
• Chronic sinus inflammation
• Nasal congestion
• Nasal polyps
• A deviated septum
• Nasal growths or other obstructions
• Smoking
• Head or facial injuries
• Certain medications
• Hormonal changes
• Exposure to certain chemicals
• Some neurologic conditions
• Aging

Can Allergies Make You Lose Your Sense of Smell?

Yes. Allergies are a very common cause of inflammation and swelling inside the nose, which can interfere with airflow and make it harder for odors to reach the olfactory area. You may notice smell loss during periods when you also have:

• Nasal congestion
• Sneezing
• Itchy eyes
• Clear nasal drainage
• Postnasal drip
• Nasal swelling
• Difficulty breathing through your nose

If you develop smell loss alongside persistent allergy symptoms, seeing the best allergist in Torrance can help determine whether allergic inflammation is contributing to the problem. An ENT evaluation can also identify structural problems that may be affecting nasal airflow.

Could Sinus Problems Be Causing My Loss of Smell?

Sinusitis is another common reason people notice changes in their sense of smell. This happens when chronic inflammation causes swelling throughout the nasal passages and sinuses. Nasal polyps can also physically interfere with airflow. In some patients, chronic sinus disease and allergies occur together, making it harder to determine why the sense of smell has changed. 

Signs that sinus problems may be contributing to your loss of smell include:

• Long-lasting nasal congestion
• Facial pressure
• Thick nasal drainage
• Frequent sinus infections
• Reduced sense of smell
• Difficulty breathing through the nose
• A history of nasal polyps

When Should I See an ENT in Torrance About Smell Loss?

A temporary change in smell during a cold or period of nasal congestion may improve as the underlying condition resolves. Persistent or unexplained smell loss deserves an evaluation because identifying the cause can help determine whether treatment may restore or improve your sense of smell. You should consider seeing an ENT if you have:

• Complete or significant loss of smell
• Smell loss that persists after an infection
• Repeated changes in your ability to smell
• Chronic nasal congestion
• Frequent sinus infections
• Nasal polyps
• Difficulty breathing through your nose
• A history of significant head injury
• Changes in smell without an obvious cause

What Treatments Can Help Restore Your Sense of Smell?

There is no single treatment that works for every type of smell loss. Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may include:

• Treating Allergies: When allergic inflammation is contributing to smell loss, controlling the inflammation may improve nasal airflow and smell function. Treatment can include allergy medications, nasal sprays, environmental changes, allergy shots, or sublingual immunotherapy when appropriate.
• Treating Sinus Inflammation: Patients with chronic sinus inflammation may benefit from medical treatment directed at the underlying condition. This can include minimally invasive procedures to help open the sinuses. 
• Removing Nasal Obstructions: Nasal polyps, a severely deviated septum, or other structural problems can interfere with airflow. When appropriate, procedures may help open the nasal passages and improve access to the smell receptors.
• Smell Training: Some patients with persistent smell loss may benefit from smell training, which involves repeated exposure to selected odors to help stimulate the olfactory system. 

Where to Find the Best Allergy Doctor in Torrance for Smell Loss

Living without your sense of smell can affect meals, memories, safety, and everyday experiences. Finding the cause is the first step in determining whether treatment can help.

At our state-of-the-art clinics in Santa Monica and Torrance, Dr. Payam Daneshrad provides comprehensive care for smell disorders. As a board-certified otolaryngologist and facial plastic surgeon with expertise in rhinology, Dr. Daneshrad evaluates conditions involving the nose, sinuses, and upper airway. This level of expertise allows our practice to treat a range of smell conditions, including anosmia, hyposmia, and hyperosmia, with individualized evaluation and treatment plans.

Our clinic offers advanced diagnostic technology, including an in-house CT scanner, to support evaluation when imaging is appropriate.