Can Allergies Cause Loss of Taste or Smell?

Written by

Jessica Guht

Jessica is a medical writer with an unquenched thirst to discover something new. She believes that medical content should be accessible to everyone and strives to write content that every single person can understand. When Jessica isn’t writing, she can usually be found reading a book with a dog cuddled in her lap. Jessica has a Masters of Engineering degree in Biomedical Engineering.

Medically reviewed by

Amy Dougherty, FNP-BC, AGAC

Amy is a Board Certified Family Health Nurse Practitioner (FNP) with over 15 years of experience working in Hospital Medicine, Urgent Care and Primary Care practices. Amy graduated Thomas Jefferson University with high distinction earning a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 2008, a Master of Science in Nursing in 2010 and a Post Master's Certificate in Adult Gerontology Acute Care (AGAC) in 2014. She was recognized by the Elite American Nurses Association in 2013 for her dedication, achievements and leadership in the field Nursing. She served as a clinical preceptor for a number of Nurse Practitioner students and enjoys teaching the bright minds of future NPs.

Allergies are difficult to suffer through, whether they are seasonal or triggered by something else. They can cause all kinds of symptoms, and sometimes you might be unsure whether an issue is caused by your allergies or something else. 

Your nose, throat, and sinuses are often affected. So when you experience a loss of taste or smell, you might suspect that it’s caused by your allergies.

Table of Contents

• Can Allergies Cause Loss of Taste?
• Why Do Allergies Cause a Loss of Taste?
• Can Allergies Cause a Loss of Smell?
• Why Do Allergies Cause a Loss of Smell?
• What Else Can Cause Loss of Taste and Smell?
• How to Identify What Is Causing Your Loss of Taste and Smell?
• How to Treat Loss of Taste and Smell?
• When to See a Doctor?
• Key Takeaways

Can Allergies Cause Loss of Taste?

Allergies can cause a loss of taste. However, the main reason for this is not that your taste buds are directly affected. When you experience a loss of taste when you have allergies, what happens is that your sense of smell is affected first. 

So when you are experiencing hay fever or your allergies have been triggered, you might find that food or drink tastes a bit strange or even feel like you can’t taste much of anything. You can find that stronger-tasting foods are easier to taste than things that are more subtle.

Why Do Allergies Cause a Loss of Taste?

Much of your ability to taste is made up of your ability to smell. So if you have a lack of smell (anosmia), it can mean that your sense of taste is also reduced. It’s fairly common for people with allergic rhinitis to have smell and taste disorders, although there isn’t a clear connection between the two.

Can Allergies Cause a Loss of Smell?

Allergies can also cause a loss of smell. In fact, you’re more likely to experience both a loss of taste and smell than just to experience a loss of taste. But a reduction in your ability to taste might be more noticeable to you, even though it’s caused by losing your sense of smell. It can be easier to notice that something tastes off than it is to pick up on not being able to smell something you would usually smell.

Why Do Allergies Cause a Loss of Smell?

Allergies cause a loss of your sense of smell because they interrupt your olfactory receptors. Olfactory receptors are cells in your upper nasal cavity that are important for your sense of smell and taste. You might have heard “olfactory” used to describe things related to smell and odors. When you sniff or inhale, the olfactory receptors are stimulated and they transmit information via your sensory nervous system.

Your sense of smell can be disrupted when you have allergies because of inflamed or blocked sinuses, which block the olfactory receptors.

What Else Can Cause Loss of Taste and Smell?

Allergies aren’t the only health problem that might cause a lack of taste or smell. Other causes are also possible, so don’t assume it’s allergies when it could be something else. You can find your sense of smell and taste are affected when you have a cold or the flu. Other nasal problems such as sinusitis or nasal polyps could be the cause of the problem.

Aging is also a possible cause of loss of smell and taste. Some loss of smell can occur naturally as you get older. People who smoke can lose their sense of smell and taste, and some medications can also cause the issue. Dental problems or injuries may also be a factor in a loss of taste and smell. Diseases of the central nervous system, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, can involve loss of smell and taste too.

Could It Be Covid?

A lack of smell and taste has been one of the most talked-about symptoms of COVID-19. It was highlighted as one of the most distinctive symptoms to help distinguish it from other infections. However, if you experience a loss of taste or smell, it isn’t necessarily due to a COVID-19 infection. Being aware of the other symptoms and getting tested will help you to determine whether it is.

How to Identify What Is Causing Your Loss of Taste and Smell?

The first thing to do to identify what is causing your loss of taste and smell is to take a test for COVID-19. You can typically use either lateral flow tests or PCR tests. A negative test may not guarantee that you don’t have it, but it can be one way to start ruling it out.

Consider your other symptoms, your lifestyle, and anything that might have changed. If you are experiencing other allergy symptoms, such as a blocked or runny nose, itchiness, or streaming eyes, you might be confident that it’s allergies. Or you might have typical cold symptoms. Perhaps you recently experienced an injury to your nose or head, or maybe you’re a smoker. However, the best thing to do is see a doctor if you’re not sure what could be causing your loss of taste and smell.

How to Treat Loss of Taste and Smell?

The best way to treat a loss of taste and smell is to find out the underlying cause and the right treatment for it. In many cases, you will regain your smell and taste when your sinuses clear or inflammation is reduced. However, some people who have had COVID-19 experienced damage to their olfactory receptors from the virus. This might require treatment to help restore the function of these nerve endings.

When to See a Doctor?

See a doctor if you need help managing your allergies or if you’re not sure what might be causing your loss of taste and smell. A doctor can discuss your symptoms for you and help you to find out the cause of your change in smell and taste, as well as prescribe the right treatment.

Get Help from an Online Doctor

Are you short on time or unable to make it to the doctor’s office? An online doctor is a perfect solution when you need to see a medical professional. You can attend a virtual consultation without having to inconvenience yourself.

Key Takeaways

• Allergies can cause both a loss of your sense of taste and sense of smell.
• It’s usually caused by olfactory receptors being blocked or damaged.
• Loss of taste and smell can be caused by several other things too.
• COVID-19 could be a possible cause – it’s important to get tested.
• See a doctor to diagnose the issue and find the best treatment.

Sources:

• Rydzewski B, Pruszewicz A, Sulkowski WJ. Assessment of smell and taste in patients with allergic rhinitis. Acta Otolaryngol. 2000 Mar;120(2):323-6. doi: https://www.doi.org/10.1080/000164800750001189 . PMID: 11603799.
• Ludger Klimek, Georg Eggers, Olfactory dysfunction in allergic rhinitis is related to nasal eosinophilic inflammation, Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Volume 100, Issue 2, 1997, Pages 158-164, ISSN 0091-6749, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0091-6749(97)70218-5
• Paul Y. Takahashi, Is loss of taste and smell normal with aging? Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/healthy-aging/expert-answers/loss-of-taste-and-smell/faq-20058455 
• Jesada Kanjanaumporn, Songklot Aeumjaturapat, Kornkiat Snidvongs, Kachorn Seresirikachorn, Supinda Chusakul, Smell and taste dysfunction in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection: A review of epidemiology, pathogenesis, prognosis, and treatment options, Asian Pacific Journal of Allergy and Immunology, Available from: http://apjai-journal.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-AP-030520-0826-Review-Article.pdf 
• Chau, C.H., Strope, J.D. and Figg, W.D. (2020), COVID-19 Clinical Diagnostics and Testing Technology. Pharmacotherapy, 40: 857-868. https://doi.org/10.1002/phar.2439 
• Research into restoring loss of smell and taste in COVID patients (2020) , University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH), Available from: https://www.uclh.nhs.uk/news/research-restoring-loss-smell-and-taste-covid-patients