The nose does not smell: temporary or permanent phenomenon. Lost sense of smell: what to do to restore your sense of smell and taste at home

The sense of smell plays a big role in our life: thanks to it we can not only enjoy pleasant aromas, but also perceive food as more appetizing. Remember how tasteless a dish seems when your nose is stuffy and you can’t distinguish smells.

What is the mechanism for the development of the loss of this sense, what to do if the sense of smell is lost due to a runny nose, and how to restore the taste to your favorite dishes: let's figure it out.

A little physiology

Partial or complete loss of smell has a scientific term - anosmia. Deterioration in the perception of taste is called ageusia. To understand the reasons for the formation of these symptoms, let’s touch on physiology.

The olfactory region is located in the mucous membrane of the upper part of the nasal cavity. It is represented by special sensitive cells that are able to perceive odors and transmit them along the olfactory nerve to the brain, where they are processed.

The perception of taste is also carried out in the brain, at the level of the taste analyzer. Nerve impulses coming from cells located on the papillae of the tongue are analyzed by the central nervous system and are recognized by the person.

Since the nerve fibers of the olfactory and gustatory analyzers intersect, the perception of taste and smell of many dishes is inextricably linked.

Causes of loss of smell and taste

One of the most common causes of anosmia and augesia is a common cold. Infectious agents (viruses, bacteria or fungi) invade the nasal mucosa, causing inflammation - rhinitis.

Swelling and accumulated mucus interfere with sensitive cells to perceive information, and the person almost does not smell. Against this background, all dishes become bland and tasteless. In addition to a runny nose, doctors identify several other reasons why the sense of smell may disappear:

Peripheral action (problem in the nasal cavity):
- Long-term use of nasal vasoconstrictor drops;
- Contact with harmful substances;
- Deviation of the nasal septum;
- Polyps and other neoplasms in the nasal cavity;
Central action (problem at the brain level):
- Consequences of traumatic brain injury;
- Damage to the olfactory nerve;
- Polyneuropathy in diabetes mellitus;
- Age-related changes.

What should you do if, after a runny nose, your sense of smell has disappeared, and all food seems tasteless and unappetizing? The solution to this problem must be comprehensive and include several steps.

Step 1. Eliminate the cause of the disease

Most often, a runny nose is a consequence of an infection that has “settled” in the body. It is important to consult a doctor to identify the causative agent of rhinitis and adequate therapy:

Viral runny nose.

Occurring in 50-60% of cases, it is treated symptomatically (warm drinks, saline infusions) or by prescribing antiviral drugs (Remantadine, Relenza).

Bacterial runny nose.

Requires antibiotics. The main groups of drugs are penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides.

If the runny nose is allergic in nature.

Doctors prescribe antihistamines(Suprastin, Zyrtec, Claritin).

Note! Vasoconstrictor nasal drops, which have probably saved those who have had a stuffy nose and lost their sense of smell at least once in their lives, do not cure a runny nose, but only eliminate its unpleasant symptoms. Since these drugs are quickly addictive and have a lot of side effects, doctors recommend using them no more than three times a day and no more than five days in a row.

Step 2. Clear the nasal cavity of mucus

You can restore your sense of smell and taste with a runny nose by rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solution. The simplest saline solution can be made at home by dissolving 1 tsp. without a slide of salt in a glass of boiled water. You can also use ready-made pharmaceutical preparations:

Aquamaris;
Aqualor.

The procedure is simple:

Draw saline solution into a syringe;
Lean over the sink with your head turned to the side;
Insert the tip of the syringe into the nostril;
Gently press the bulb to irrigate the nasal cavity. The liquid should bend around nasal septum and flow out of the other nostril.

Step 3. Ease your breathing

Simple, but at the same time in effective ways To facilitate nasal breathing and restore the sense of smell during a runny nose are:

Hot shower before bed.

Water vapor will moisturize and clear the nasal passages of mucus, and breathing and smelling will become much easier. It is important to avoid hypothermia after water treatments.

Maintaining optimal (60-65%) indoor humidity.

This indicator can be achieved using a humidifier or wet towels hung around the apartment.

Drink plenty of warm drinks.

Drink more hot tea with lemon or raspberry jam, low-fat chicken broth.

Step 4. Traditional methods of treatment

Traditional medicine suggests using garlic to restore the sense of smell and taste during a runny nose. How to quickly cope with unpleasant symptoms using garlic water?

Prepare a decoction of garlic by adding 4 cloves of peeled and chopped garlic to 200 ml of boiling water;
Cook for 2-3 minutes and add a pinch of salt at the end of cooking;
Drink the mixture hot;
Taking this remedy after lunch for three days will help you fully experience tastes and smells again.

Before using garlic infusion, consult your doctor. The product has contraindications (individual intolerance, diseases of the stomach, intestines, etc.).

Due to allergies, colds or viral infections, a person may lose the ability to smell and, accordingly, taste food. In most cases, this goes away as soon as the runny nose ends. But it happens that rhinitis goes away, but the sense of smell does not return or is not fully restored. This is already a cause for concern.

In medicine, a complete loss of the ability to smell is called anosmia, and a partial loss is called hyposmia. The reasons for their occurrence are considered:

Anatomical pathologies of various nature, which only get worse with a runny nose. Such pathologies include polyps, deviated nasal septum, adenoids, nasal tumors and hypertrophy of the nasal turbinates.
Colds, because because of them the mucous membrane in the nose swells, which creates significant interference with the access of air to the olfactory zone.
Chronic or allergic rhinitis and chronic inflammatory diseases paranasal sinuses (for example, sinusitis or the same sinusitis).
The need to inhale toxic substances for a long time: acid fumes, petroleum products, tobacco smoke, paint, etc.
Too much long-term use drops or sprays for a runny nose. Most often, swelling of the nasal mucosa is caused by drugs such as Reserpine, Naphthyzin, Naphazoline, estrogen and phenothiazines.
Illnesses suffered in childhood: mumps, scarlet fever or measles. May also affect various diseases eyes, ears and even teeth.
Brain damage occurs when air enters the olfactory zone, but odor information from the olfactory receptors is not perceived. This happens due to traumatic brain injuries, Parkinson's disease, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, etc.
Inflammation of the olfactory nerve, which has infectious nature, or intoxication with chemicals: lead, solvent, cadmium, insecticides.
Surgical intervention, plastic surgery or radiation therapy in the area of the nasal sinuses.

Loss of smell can be one-sided or two-sided; sensitivity can disappear to all smells or to some specific ones at once.

Diagnostic methods

If a cold, allergy, viral infection, etc. has passed, but your nose cannot smell and is still stuffy, you should definitely consult a doctor, since only in a hospital with the use of appropriate equipment can you accurately determine the cause. The otolaryngologist will listen to the patient’s complaints, examine the nasopharynx and refer for tests.

Laboratory research in such cases includes:

rhinoscopy;
X-ray of the sinuses;
computed tomography;
ultrasonography.

A study of the mucous membranes of the mouth, tongue, and ear conditions is also carried out. And in some cases, the doctor may consider a neurological examination necessary.

How to treat smell disorder?

If your sense of smell is impaired, your doctor may prescribe:

sanitation of the nasal cavity in combination with a course of treatment of the paranasal sinuses;
surgical intervention if there are mechanical obstacles in the nose for air flow;
targeted therapy for the underlying disease (for example, allergies or chronic runny nose) that has caused loss of smell.

If the reason is organic damage CNS, i.e. various tumors, cerebrovascular accident, previous meningitis and other similar ailments, the prognosis for recovery will be less favorable, since the treatment is complex and may be persistent. The same applies to nasopharyngeal injuries. If the cause of atrophy of the nasal mucosa is associated with age-related changes or damage to the olfactory nerve, anosmia is considered irreversible. Improvement may occur spontaneously, but this cannot be predicted.

ethnoscience

If the loss of taste and smell occurs due to a cold, then home treatment methods will effectively help. The most effective of them are:

rinsing the nose with saline solution, which has a disinfecting effect that relieves swelling and inflammation;
inhalation with essential vapors of cedar, eucalyptus, mint and lime or massage of the nasal sinuses using the same oils (this method of treatment is suitable for those who do not suffer from allergies);
improving blood circulation by warming the hands, which are lowered into a basin with hot water. This method can enhance the sense of smell;
daily use of propolis tampons, which you can easily do yourself at home.

Methods traditional medicine should be used with caution, since in case of polyps and neoplasms they can cause tumor growth or bleeding.

If your sense of smell is lost and does not recover within a few days, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.

People who suffer from chronic runny nose, sinusitis and frontal sinusitis. Adenoids, polyps, allergies, nasal septum defects and neoplasms in the nasal cavity significantly worsen the situation.

Viral infection

A decrease in the sense of smell always occurs in the second phase of a runny nose when viral infection, when nasal itching and sneezing are replaced by copious liquid discharge and congestion. This happens for two reasons:

The secretions envelop the walls of the nose, preventing air from entering them.
Some viruses block the functioning of receptors.

Sinusitis

If, a week after the cold, the condition worsened, the temperature began to rise, the sense of smell and taste disappeared, persistent nasal congestion and headaches appeared, the disease may have been complicated by sinusitis (sinusitis). Sinusitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the paranasal sinuses. The mucous membrane of the sinuses swells, the secretion stagnates and turns into pus.

Microorganisms that cause sinusitis destroy the epithelium, so taste and smell signals simply stop reaching the brain. This is the cause of loss of smell.

Overdose of nasal drops

Vasoconstrictor drops can be dripped no more often than every 4–6 hours and no more than 3–4 times a day. The duration of treatment for most drugs is 3 days. But it is not uncommon for people to abuse these medications and instill them often and in large quantities.

With prolonged and frequent use of vasoconstrictor drugs muscle layer the vessels of the nose cease to function independently, the nutrition of the vessel wall is disrupted.

You can also dry out the nasal mucosa by irrationally using astringent drops - Collargol and Protargol.

Allergy

The sense of smell may disappear temporarily for a while allergic rhinitis. This happens due to swelling and abundance liquid discharge, which prevent air from coming into contact with the olfactory receptors.

If the sense of smell has disappeared due to allergies, then first of all you need to get rid of it with the help of antihistamines and hormonal drugs.

Hormonal disorders

It’s not scary if the sense of smell has disappeared during pregnancy (against the background of vasomotor runny nose), menstruation, after taking oral contraceptives. The reason for this is hormonal changes, after which everything returns to normal.

Anatomical changes in the nasal cavity

The cause of loss of smell may be changes in the nasal cavity, accompanied by discharge:

polyps;
adenoids;
large curvature of the nasal septum;
tumors;
hypertrophy of the nasal concha.

To restore your sense of smell, you need to get rid of the listed anatomical defects. It is possible that this is only possible with the help of surgery.

Poisons and chemicals

The sense of smell and taste disappears in people who work in the production of toxic substances and come into contact with paint and varnish products, petroleum products, vapors of various acids, etc. This condition is called anosmia or complete loss y perception of aromas, may or may not be accompanied by a runny nose.

In addition, active and passive smokers also often complain that they have lost their sense of smell. Receptors can die completely, and it can be almost impossible to restore their original functions.

Treatment

To get rid of this scourge, you need to eliminate the runny nose and improve the flow of mucus from the nasal cavity.

First of all, you need to limit yourself to using nasal drops. Instead, it is better to use physical procedures, for example, electrophoresis, phonophoresis, UV irradiation of the nose and pharynx, bioptron. If you urgently need to improve your breathing, you need to accustom yourself to using saline solutions, which are good at eliminating the symptoms and causes of the disease. The minerals and natural components they contain significantly improve the functioning of the nasal mucosa.

You need to do gymnastics every day - strain and relax your nasal muscles for ten minutes. You need to keep your nose tense for at least a minute.
Massage the wings of the nose.
If the sense of smell has disappeared and there is a loss of taste, you need to do warm-ups. It is recommended to warm your nose with a blue lamp; if you don’t have one, you can use a regular student lamp. Warming is carried out at a distance of 25 cm, warm for 10 minutes, once a day for a week.
Rinse your nose daily with pharmaceutical saline solutions - Delphi, Aquamaris, Humer.
You can put it in your nose oil drops Pinosol.

Attention! It is prohibited to use for treatment vasoconstrictor drops, sprays and combined drops containing a vasoconstrictor component (Polydex, Vibrocil).

Traditional methods

You need to do steam inhalations over water with the addition of lemon juice, lavender and peppermint oil. Do them daily, the number of procedures is 10. For inhalation, you can prepare a decoction of sage, calendula, nettle or mint, with the addition of fresh garlic juice. You need to cover your head with a blanket and breathe over the steam for 15 minutes.
Insert cotton swabs soaked in honey into your nose for 20 minutes.
If your sense of smell has disappeared, you can breathe over the smoke from burning wormwood, garlic or onion peels.
Inhaling pungent odors: horseradish, onions, mustard will help restore the taste.
It is useful to inhale the vapors of menthol oil or Star balm.
Make hot foot baths with the addition of mustard, eucalyptus, and pepper. They improve blood circulation, effectively cope with runny nose and congestion, and drive away colds, especially if you take hot baths before bed.

Prevention

To avoid losing your sense of smell and taste, you need to take care of your health and follow the following recommendations:

do not delay treatment of runny nose and colds;
during an epidemic of viral diseases, rinse your nose with saline solutions, decoctions of chamomile, and calendula;
avoid contact with allergens if allergies are diagnosed;
take care of strengthening the immune system;
when working with harmful substances, use protective masks and respirators;
follow safety rules when playing sports.

Loss of smell after a runny nose does not always occur and not in everyone. It is not normal and requires treatment. Therefore, if your sense of smell has disappeared and has not recovered a couple of months after recovery, then it is not recommended to hesitate - you need to go to an ENT doctor.

Sinusitis (32)
Nasal congestion (18)
Medicines (32)
Treatment (9)
Folk remedies (13)
Runny nose (41)
Other (18)
Rhinosinusitis (2)
Sinusitis (11)
Snot (26)
Frontit (4)

What to do if your nose can't smell?

When the nose cannot smell, how to treat it? Should I immediately contact a specialist or is this a trifle and will go away on its own? Why did this happen? These and other questions arise in the head if a person loses one of these important sense organs.

Don't worry ahead of time. First, you need to understand the principle of operation of this respiratory organ and the reasons that could lead to its failure to continue to function as usual.

Function of the olfactory organ

Stable operation of this sense organ is simply necessary. Without the ability to recognize odors, a person can be in great danger even at the everyday level, for example, due to a gas leak. Moreover, problems with the sense of smell may indicate a brain tumor.

Anosmia (loss of smell) can be complete or partial. In fact, this olfactory organ has a very complex structure, which is why, even at this moment, it remains incompletely studied.

Special receptors work to recognize aromas, to which the smallest molecules of odorous substances enter through the nasal passages. The information received becomes an electrical signal and enters a part of the brain, where the final output occurs, which we recognize as “smell.”

Types of smell impairment

If your nose has stopped smelling, there can be a huge number of reasons for this. Due to its complex structure, its stable operation directly depends on even minor details, and the loss of smell is caused by any disturbance in the penetration of air into the nasal passage.

Among other things, the sense of smell deteriorates with age and from hunger, and its severity even depends on the time of day, for example at night, the brain practically does not recognize odors. In certain situations, the inability to recognize aroma is a congenital pathology.

There are several basic concepts that describe the loss of smell:

full;
partial (the ability to detect some odors);
specific (without the ability to determine any specific odor);
absolute hyposmia (decreased sense of smell);
partial hyposmia (decreased sense of smell for specific odors);
dysosmia (incorrect perception of smells).

Causes of loss of smell

The most common cause of loss of smell remains blocking the access of microscopic odor particles directly to the mucous membrane. This can happen for various reasons:

Inflammatory processes.
Polyps.
Deviation of the nasal septum.
Physical trauma.
Neoplasms.
Immersion of olfactory hairs in secretions.

Rhinitis is the main and most common reason for the inability of odor molecules to access the mucous membrane. The body secretes an additional amount of mucus to fight microbes, which causes swelling in the area where the receptors are located.

Among other things, loss of smell may remain even after a runny nose has been cured. This is often due to long-term use of special drops, which are supposed to relieve swelling, but in the end, if abused, they themselves provoke it.

Normally, the nose should regain its ability to perceive odors within 7 days. What should you do if a week has passed and you still can’t smell it? You need to see a doctor as soon as possible, because there is a high risk of damage to the olfactory nerves.

In addition to rhinitis, the mucous membrane can also swell with:

It is strictly forbidden to self-medicate, as this can lead to irreversible negative consequences with health, up to complete loss of smell.

In cases where the nose breathes but does not perceive odors, the problem often lies in malfunctions or even damage to the cells that perceive odors. The reason for this may be the following factors:

neoplasms;
viral infections;
chemical poisoning;
radiation therapy for cancer treatment;
tumor in the brain;
harmful chemical fumes.

There are cases when the loss of the ability to smell is irreversible. This often occurs due to physical trauma to the skull and damage to the recognition center of smell. Most often, such injuries occur during an accident.

Absolute loss of smell can occur in other cases:

Kallmann syndrome;
cancer tumor;
congenital diseases;
neurosurgical operations and therapy;
use of neurotoxic drugs.

How to restore your sense of smell?

If for a long time, for no apparent reason, there is no sense of smell, you need to contact an otolaryngologist (ENT) as soon as possible. Only a qualified specialist can maintain the stable functioning of the organ.

An otolaryngologist, using special techniques, will be able to determine the true cause of the malfunction of the olfactory organ, after which he will prescribe special treatment. The approach should be comprehensive: surgical intervention, physiotherapy, special medications.

Among other things, the specialist must develop an individual nutrition system to restore the sense of smell. It is especially beneficial to consume foods that contain vitamin A and zinc:

orange and yellow vegetables;
dairy products;
beef;
sunflower or pumpkin seeds;
liver;
chicken eggs;
legumes

If the otolaryngologist cannot detect any disorders that may directly or indirectly affect the loss of smell, it is necessary to visit a neurologist. The problem may be a failure in signal transmission to the cerebral cortex. Often the problem is nerve damage, cancerous tumor, Parkinson's disease or multiple sclerosis.

The cause of disturbances in the functioning of the olfactory organ may be diabetes. If treatment is not started in time, damage will occur. nerve cells, which process data about incoming odors.

If you suspect diabetes mellitus, you need to go to an endocrinologist, who will make the appropriate diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate procedures. Now knowing which nose does not smell, you can start treatment on time and avoid more serious complications.

Directory of main ENT diseases and their treatment

All information on the site is for informational purposes only and does not claim to be absolutely accurate from a medical point of view. Treatment must be carried out by a qualified doctor. By self-medicating you can harm yourself!

Loss of smell, impaired sensitivity to smells: causes, treatment

Loss of smell, complete or partial, can be caused by a number of reasons, ranging from a common runny nose to malignant degeneration of tissue. A slight loss of the ability to smell is not an alarming symptom, but with accompanying complications and deterioration of the condition, detailed diagnosis is necessary. If the patient has lost his sense of smell for no apparent reason, then the best solution there will be a visit to the doctor.

Causes and mechanisms of disease development

With a chronic or acute runny nose, the loss of smell is temporary and is caused by the accumulation of mucus, which makes it difficult for the aromatic substance to reach the nerve endings. As a result, an incomplete or blurred signal reaches the odor perception centers in the brain.

Ozena or foul runny nose causes a sudden loss of smell. The epithelium of the nasal mucosa thickens, secreting a thick and foul-smelling secretion. It dries out in the form of crusts, which prevent the nose from performing its olfactory function. Complete loss of mucosal function occurs as a result of epithelial atrophy, which is possible with advanced disease and is difficult to correct.

With allergic rhinitis, there is also often a decrease in the ability to perceive smells (hyposmia). The reason is also the shielding of the nerve endings of the nasal mucosa with constant secretions. Hyposmia in allergies is not pronounced, but can cause significant anxiety to the patient.

Congenital or acquired anomalies in childhood and adulthood lead to anosmia (complete loss of smell) or hyposmia. Professor Palchun V.T. in his work “Otolaryngology” notes: “Almost any mechanical disturbance in the penetration of air into the olfactory fissure causes a violation of the sense of smell.” If the patient has not smelled since birth, then treatment is usually prescribed after puberty, but it is better not to delay consultation with an ENT specialist.

Syphilis or tuberculosis localized in the nasal area can lead to essential (irreversible) disorder. Such cases are quite rare, but in areas with a high incidence of these ailments, you need to keep them in mind.

Long-term use of certain intranasal drugs medicines(for example, vasoconstrictor drops), as well as poisoning with certain poisons can lead to loss of smell. The same can be said about thermal burns, especially the ferry. After exposure to such factors, patients note that their sense of smell immediately suddenly disappeared or decreased.

Oncological processes in the upper parts of the nose often lead to this type of disorder. This is one of the leading symptoms of preliminary diagnosis of such diseases.

In children, loss of smell can be caused by the presence of foreign bodies in the nasal passages. If the operation is carried out carelessly, residues of cotton swabs and gauze may be left in the cavity. Also in medical practice There are cases where, with excessive intranasal use of powdered medicines, a lump was formed from them, which hardened over time (rhinolitis - nasal stone).

In rare cases, in nasal cavity a tooth may grow, which is also an obstacle to a normal sense of smell. This could be an incisor or a canine, which are localized in the lower or middle part of the passages.

Polypous changes in the mucous membrane can be a consequence of a number of diseases or develop independently. It almost always leads to a change in the sense of smell. Patients note that they gradually begin to smell poorly. An increase in symptoms indicates the growth of the polyp.

If the patient simultaneously ceases to smell and taste, then perhaps we are talking about diseases not directly related to the ENT organs. To identify them, a comprehensive diagnosis of the body is necessary. This symptom gives reason to suspect diabetes mellitus, brain tumor in temporal lobe, hypertension, neurological disorders.

The sense of smell may deteriorate during physiological changes: pregnancy, menopause, aging of the body. In such cases, no medical or surgical treatment is usually prescribed.

Diagnosis of anosmia and hyposmia

Establishing the degree of reduction in the sense of smell is based on the following scheme:

Sensitivity testing using different scents.
Measuring olfactory acuity using olfactometry. The device used contains cylinders with a precise amount of odorous substances, which are delivered into the patient’s nasal cavity.
Rhinoscopy. A thorough examination of the nasal cavity, septum and the condition of the mucous membrane is a mandatory condition for examination if the sense of smell is impaired.
Analysis of liquid secretion secreted by the epithelium of the nasal passages. In some cases, an infection causing a runny nose may be behind the loss of smell (for example, with ozen), so an accurate identification of the pathogen may be necessary.

Treatment of obvious disturbances of smell

Therapy of the disease is based on eliminating its main cause, as well as pathological consequences(hypertrophy and atrophy of the mucosa, etc.). It is not always possible to restore your sense of smell, but if early diagnosis surgery, as a rule, very effective. The main difficulties of treatment occur when, as a result of injury or congenital pathology, the nerve pathways, transmitting a signal from the olfactory bulbs to the brain.

Antibiotic therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs

This type of treatment should accompany other measures when the infectious nature of the disease is detected. This will stop the inflammatory process and prevent further impairment of the sense of smell, and in some cases, restore it. Preparations in the form of nasal sprays can be particularly effective. These include Polydex with phenylephrine and fusafungine. Local application is the safest and allows you to achieve recovery faster.

Medication may also be indicated plant origin, relieving inflammation. These drugs include pinosol. Sea water and preparations containing it (aquamaris, etc.) have a good anti-inflammatory effect, it moisturizes the mucous membrane and washes away the pathogen.

Antiallergic therapy

When the cause of a runny nose is allergic rhinitis, a comprehensive approach to the cause of the disease is necessary. The most effective remedy, allowing you to completely get rid of unpleasant illness- This is a sensitization of the body. It represents a kind of “habituation” immune system to a specific antigen (a substance to which an allergic reaction occurs).

First of all, it is necessary to determine the source of the disease. To do this, the patient must turn close attention when and in what circumstances allergy symptoms worsen. Perhaps the reason is the flowering of certain plants, pet hair, or dry fish food.

The found antigen is diluted several times in the laboratory, achieving a concentration at which it does not provoke any undesirable reaction. The dosage is gradually increased. As a result, the allergy goes away and the sense of smell returns. The only disadvantage of this method is its duration; addiction can last up to several months.

Sometimes there is simply no opportunity to wait that long. Then the treatment is based on a course of taking certain medications. It can be:

Antiallergic nasal sprays (nasobek, ifiral, etc.);
Tablets and solutions with histamine blockers(prevent the development of an allergic reaction) – Zyrtec, fenistil, cetirizine;
Glucocorticosteroids are administered orally or as injections.

Surgical intervention

The operation, as a rule, serves to ensure full access of air into the nasal passages. One of the most common types of such intervention is nasal polypotomy. In modern surgical practice in most cases, a laser is used, since classical loop removal often leads to relapses.

Sometimes, with slight hypertrophy of the mucous membrane, it can be cauterized with chemicals - lapis, trichloroacetic or chromic acids. Also in some cases the use electric current. A special galvanocauter instrument is inserted into the nasal cavity and guided along its wall for deep destruction of the mucous membrane.

A more radical method is a vasectomy. It is carried out under local anesthesia. The doctor makes an incision on the surface of the mucosa and separates its upper surface, destroying the submucosal tissue.

If all these methods are ineffective, resection of hypertrophied tissue is used. Using scissors or a loop, the doctor removes the changed areas of the mucosa. After the operation, there is a fairly long recovery period, during which normal nasal epithelium should gradually grow over the damaged area.

Hygiene of the nasal mucosa to restore the sense of smell during illness

During atrophic and hypertrophic phenomena of the mucous membrane, which often accompany inflammation and allergies, its functioning is significantly impaired. This may be worsened by taking certain intranasal medications. This is what N. E. Boykova, candidate, writes about this medical sciences, senior researcher: “Taken at various diseases medications as a side effect, they often cause subatrophy of the nasal mucosa due to systemic action, which is especially important for representatives of voice-speech professions due to the upcoming changes in the resonator tract.”

To normalize the condition of the epithelium of the nasal cavity, in most cases, the following measures can be recommended:

Moisturizing mucous membranes with sea water, softening crusts from hardened secretions using oils of plant origin (almond, peach).
Frequent ventilation of premises.
Maintaining sufficient air humidity.
Salt inhalations.
Carrying out periodic wet cleaning. This measure will prevent unnecessary contact of the patient with antigens, primarily dust, which can cause additional irritation of the mucous membrane.
Taking nasal sprays containing beneficial microelements (magnesium, potassium, copper, iron). Such drugs include Aquamaris, Aqualor, Otrivin Sea.
Drinking plenty of fluids will help replenish the moisture that is lost during rhinitis and prevent nasal dryness.

Prevention

To prevent anosmia or hyposmia, it is important to rule out colds or allergies whenever possible. Mechanical and congenital pathologies are quite difficult to prevent, but they are usually eliminated surgically. Diseases directly related to the mucous membrane can have a long-term, sluggish nature. Therefore, even after surgery, a relapse (return of previous symptoms) is possible.

One of the important prerequisites for a normal sense of smell and the exclusion of diseases of the mucous membrane is the stable state of the immune and nervous system. To do this, it is important to avoid nervousness, overexertion, and frequent changes in daily routine. It is necessary to eat properly and nutritiously; in the spring you can take vitamin complexes in consultation with your doctor.

Even in healthy condition It is important to take care of the hygiene of the nasal mucosa and maintain sufficient air humidity in your home and work areas. When visiting places with large crowds of people (public transport, meetings, exhibitions), it makes sense to use oxolin ointment, which will protect against airborne infections.

The sense of smell is an important part of human life. In its absence, many patients note that food becomes tasteless; outdoor recreation without the aromas of flowers and pine needles seems incomplete. To preserve this important ability, you need to take care of your body and prevent infectious diseases from becoming chronic.

Why can't my nose smell?

Causes of the disease

If the nose does not smell, then this is a rather alarming symptom that cannot be ignored.

The thing is that if the cause of this symptom is a common runny nose, then after recovery, the sense of smell will certainly be restored.

However, if the loss of the ability to sense aromas is a consequence of congenital or acquired anomalies of the nasopharynx, then in this case special treatment cannot be avoided.

Chronic or acute rhinitis

If the nose does not perceive odors, then the reason for this may be a runny nose caused by viral, bacterial infections or allergies. The sense of smell returns after the elimination of excess mucous secretion, a large amount of which, during rhinitis, completely or partially blocks the penetration of odors to the nerve endings. Constant nasal congestion leads to the fact that the olfactory centers located in the brain do not receive a full signal, which does not allow you to fully perceive the inhaled odor. In this case, it is necessary to ensure that the nose begins to breathe. For this they use vasoconstrictors and washing the nasal passages with saline and disinfectant solutions.

Atrophic rhinitis

When atrophic rhinitis (ozena) occurs, the patient suddenly ceases to smell. The loss of smell is most often accompanied by a foul odor from the nose. Reason of this disease is an inflammatory process that develops on the nasal mucosa, which provokes the appearance of a thick, foul-smelling secretion. As the disease progresses, mucus dries in the nose and crusts form, preventing normal perception of odors.

Important! If timely treatment is not started, the development of ozena is dangerous due to atrophy of the epithelium.

Congenital diseases

If a person is completely unable to smell from birth, then in this case we are talking about congenital developmental anomalies. In this case, there can be many reasons for the occurrence of pathology, but most often they are associated with anomalies in the development of the organs of the nasopharynx and the structure of the facial region, which cause a violation of the penetration of air into the olfactory gap, which leads to difficulties with the perception of odors. Sometimes the inability to distinguish odors is caused by genetically determined hormonal disorders (Kallmann syndrome). Despite its complexity, anosmia is most often treatable, which is usually carried out after puberty.

Foreign objects in the nasopharynx

More often foreign body(a bead, a small piece of construction equipment, a bone or a pea) stuck in the nasal passage causes loss of smell in children under six years of age. Also foreign objects may interfere with the process of smell perception in postoperative period when pieces of cotton swabs or gauze remain in the nasal passages.

Experts also note cases where the use of powdered medications through the nose can cause the formation of lumps that harden over time.

Into the nasal cavity (lower or middle area) a tooth (incisor, canine) can grow. Although this happens extremely rarely, it can also prevent odors from reaching the olfactory center.

Other reasons

Long-term (more than ten days) use of vasoconstrictor drugs to treat a runny nose may cause temporary loss of smell.
Diseases such as syphilis and tuberculosis, localized in the nasal cavity, can cause the development of anosmia, which cannot be treated. However, such cases are quite rare.
Loss of the ability to smell can occur when the body is poisoned with certain poisons or with thermal burns to the nasal cavity. For example, after inhaling hot steam, the patient claimed that he inhaled the odors of various odorous substances, but did not feel them.
Oncological diseases of the nasopharynx are often accompanied by hyposmia. In this case, odors are not felt and the ability to distinguish aromas returns only after the cause is eliminated. unpleasant symptom.

Disease of various organs and systems

If the patient does not feel taste or smell at the same time, then it is likely that the cause of these symptoms is a disease of organs not related to the nasopharynx. In this case, a full diagnosis should be carried out to find out the reason why there is no sense of smell and no sense of taste. Among the most common diseases with similar symptoms are diabetes mellitus, a tumor in the temporal lobe of the brain, high blood pressure, neurological disorders.

Important! The ability to perceive odors can decrease significantly during pregnancy, menopause, and puberty. In such situations, treat the symptom with neither medication nor surgical methods no need.

Diagnostics

In order for the attending physician to establish the cause of the disease, it is necessary to carry out a number of diagnostic procedures. Most often, several standard procedures are required, such as anamnesis analysis, visual examination, general analyzes blood and urine. In addition to standard diagnostic methods, the degree of reduction in the sense of smell can be determined as follows:

Examine the sensitivity of olfactory receptors by inhaling the odorous solution.
Determination of the acuity of odor perception using the olfactometry method. Within this diagnostic procedure They use a special device containing a certain amount of odorous substances that are delivered into the patient’s nasal cavity.
A detailed examination of the nasal cavity can be carried out using a procedure such as rhinoscopy. Examination of the cavity is carried out using special mirrors, and allows you to determine the condition of the tissues and mucous membrane of the nasopharynx.
Also, before starting treatment, the doctor must take liquid secretions from the nasal cavity for analysis. The thing is that often problems with the sense of smell can be associated with exposure to pathogenic microorganisms, for example, with atrophic rhinitis. This analysis will help determine the type of infection and prescribe the correct treatment.

Treatment

Choice the right ways Therapy for a disorder of the ability to perceive odors should be based on combating the cause of the unpleasant symptom. The ultimate goal of treatment should be full recovery olfactory ability. However, as practice shows, it is not always possible to completely restore your sense of smell. Especially in situations where injury or congenital anomaly affects the nerve pathways whose function is to transmit signals to the olfactory center of the brain.

Therapy with antibacterial drugs

This treatment is usually used when loss of smell is caused by a bacterial infection. The use of systemic antibiotics (Sumamed, Azithromycin, Augmentin) eliminates inflammation and stops the development of the disease. The use of local antibacterial agents in the form of nasal sprays (Fuzafungin, Polydex with phenyloephrine) also has a positive effect.

also in complex therapy bacterial infections nasopharynx, you can use herbal preparations that help reduce the severity of inflammatory process(Pinosol).

Rinsing and moisturizing the nasal cavity with saline solutions (Aquamaris, Nosol) has an anti-inflammatory effect, washing away pathogenic microorganisms.

Therapy for allergic reactions

If the cause of a runny nose and loss of smell is allergic rhinitis, then in this case you should:

eliminate the cause of the unpleasant symptom;
use local treatment using antiallergic nasal sprays (Nasobek, Ifiral);
take an antihistamine in the form of drops or tablets (Suprastin, Zodak, Loratadine);
V difficult situations give an injection of glucocorticoid drugs (Prednisolone).

The most common cause of allergies is inhalation of strong odors, dusty air, plant pollen or pet hair.

With frequent allergic reactions most effective treatment is sensitization of the body. In this case, a gradual (over several months) adaptation of the immune system to the allergen occurs.

Surgical treatment options

Surgical intervention is resorted to in extreme cases, when there is completely no access of air into the nasal passages, and conservative methods do not bring the desired effect.

The most popular method of surgical treatment today is laser therapy. To restore the olfactory function of the nose, nasal polypotomy is used. Using this procedure, polyps are removed.
Also, quite often, with slight hypertrophy of the mucous membrane of the nasal cavities, a procedure is carried out to cauterize the mucous membrane with various chemicals (trichloroacetic acid, lapis), and electric current.
In more severe cases, a vasectomy method is used to restore the ability to smell. This operation is performed under local anesthesia.

The ability to distinguish odors is important function human body. In order to preserve the sense of smell and the ability to distinguish smells and tastes, it is necessary to take care of the condition of the body, preventing the occurrence of serious complications and chronic diseases.

What should you do if your sense of smell and taste has disappeared and your nose cannot smell?

In cases where this disease, which is not even considered by many as such, is accompanied by a deterioration in the perception of aromas or even taste, people begin to sound the alarm and look for ways to restore them.

The causes and treatment of this disorder will be discussed in this article.

Reasons or why the sense of smell and taste disappeared?

It may seem that the inability to distinguish odors is a trifle, without which it is not difficult to live.

But when a person loses one of his basic feelings, he understands its real value.

After all, deprived of the opportunity to experience fragrances and “unpleasant odors,” he is partially deprived of the pleasure of eating, and may also expose himself to the risk of eating a spoiled product.

Wherein the world no longer seems as colorful as before. Therefore, it is extremely important to think about how to restore the sense of smell and taste during pregnancy.

The inability to distinguish odors is most often observed against the background of colds accompanied by nasal discharge (rhinitis). Depending on the degree of deterioration of the olfactory function, there are:

hyposmia (partial decrease in sense of smell);
anosmia (complete lack of sensitivity to aromatic substances).

The most common cause for hyposmia or even anosmia is. It develops due to a drop in both local and general immunity and the activation of microorganisms that always live on the mucous membranes of absolutely healthy people.

Since the body loses the ability to prevent their reproduction, microorganisms infect tissues and provoke the onset of the inflammatory process.

This is accompanied by the appearance of swelling and drying of the mucous membrane. Subsequently, it is moistened by serous effusion (a special fluid that occurs when tissue is inflamed).

The amount of mucus gradually increases, the effusion partially accumulates under the upper layer of the mucosa, forming bubbles, as a result of which it can peel off and provoke the formation of erosions.

During all of these processes, the aroma receptors located in the upper nasal cavity can become blocked by mucus or damaged.

Therefore, they are unable to respond to stimuli and, therefore, transmit a signal to the brain. This explains the fact that after a runny nose, the sense of smell disappeared.

But deterioration in the ability to sense how different substances smell is not the only possible consequence rhinitis There is often a simultaneous loss of taste and smell.

The reason for this lies in the fact that very often a person involuntarily confuses taste and aroma. True taste sensations arise in response to salty, sour or sweet substances entering the tongue, since special receptors localized on the tongue are responsible for their perception. different areas language.

Therefore, even the most cold person always distinguishes basic tastes to a greater or lesser extent. Problems arise with the differentiation of complex taste combinations, characteristic, for example, of fruits and berries, soups, original main courses, etc.

For their full perception, the simultaneous participation of taste analyzers and olfactory receptors is required. Therefore, what a person is accustomed to consider as the taste of a dish can easily turn out to be its aroma.

Attention! If the patient has ceased to smell and there is no nasal discharge, it is necessary to consult a neurologist to rule out brain pathologies and other serious diseases.

If your sense of smell is lost: what to do in this case?

Have you really lost your sense of smell and taste? It often happens that the patient says: “I don’t smell ..”, “I don’t feel the taste or smell of food,” but in fact it turns out that this is not so.

To accurately verify the presence of hyposmia, in medicine even There is a special test - olfactometry.

Its essence consists of alternately inhaling the vapors of 4–6 odorous substances contained in labeled bottles.

The patient closes one of the nostrils with a finger, and a vessel with a substance is brought to the other at a distance of one centimeter. The patient should take one breath and answer what he feels. Traditionally used:

0.5% acetic acid solution;
pure wine alcohol;
Valerian tincture;
ammonia.

These substances are listed in order of aroma intensification, so the degree of impairment of the olfactory function can be judged by which of them a person can smell.

A similar test can be carried out at home, even without special solutions on hand; ordinary household items and products will do.

The test consists of several stages, the transition from one to another is carried out only after successful completion of the previous one. The patient is asked to smell:

Alcohol (vodka), valerian and soap.
Salt and sugar.
Perfume, onion, chocolate, solvent (nail polish remover), instant coffee, extinguished match.

If any of them could not be recognized, this is a clear sign a decrease in olfactory function, and a reason to contact an ENT specialist to figure out how to restore the sense of smell and taste with a runny nose.

If your sense of smell is lost due to a runny nose or after a cold

Patients often complain that they have lost taste and smell due to a runny nose. Such symptoms may occur when:

Rinite:

acute;
chronic;
allergic.

acute and chronic inflammation of the paranasal sinuses:

sinusitis;
ethmoiditis;
frontite;

Much less often, the reasons for deteriorating sense of smell are:

ozena;
scleroma;
polyposis

Thus, most often the perception of aromas is distorted during a cold. , influenza and other acute respiratory infections.

Nevertheless, such common diseases accompanied by a runny nose as sinusitis and others can also precede this.

And since they often develop against the background of a deviated nasal septum, patients are often prescribed septoplasty.

This operation, the purpose of which is to straighten the septum and normalize breathing, is necessary to eliminate the prerequisites for the persistence of inflammatory processes in paranasal sinuses and, consequently, impaired sense of smell.

But, unfortunately, septoplaty does not guarantee the restoration of the ability to normally distinguish odors, since after it it is possible degenerative changes mucous membrane and the development of hyposmia or even anosmia.

Although the curvature of the septum itself in no way affects a person’s ability to perceive all kinds of aromas. Source: website

Also, degenerative changes in the mucosa can occur not only as a result of septoplaty, but also after accidental damage by foreign bodies.

In such situations, they talk about the development of traumatic rhinitis. The cause of its occurrence can be not only macro objects, but also small solid particles, for example, coal, dust, metal, contained in:

smoke;
aerosols;
various industrial emissions, etc.

It has also been noted that the acuity of smell and taste perception deteriorate with age. These changes can be called physiological, since they are caused by the “weakening” of the corresponding receptors.

But usually older people notice that their sense of smell has worsened precisely after a cold. This may be due to damage to the receptors due to the active course of the inflammatory process, which then are no longer fully restored. Therefore, after recovery, older people may complain of hyposmia.

How to restore your sense of smell?

Of course, only a specialist can give an accurate answer to this question.

A qualified doctor will be able to find the true causes of violations and quickly eliminate them.

Any self-medication can only aggravate the problem and delay the return to normal.

Therefore, despite the fact that there are various folk remedies that help cope with the problem, before you start using them, you should ask your otolaryngologist whether they can be used.

Depending on the reasons for the deterioration of olfactory function, the doctor may prescribe a number of medications to help restore it , including:

Naphazoline ( Naphthyzin);
Xylometazoline ( Galazolin);
Oxymetazoline ( Nazol);
Tramazolin ( Lazolvan Rino) and so on.

These drugs are classified as vasoconstrictors. Their action is based on mechanisms that eliminate swelling of the mucous membrane. But using them for more than 5–7 days is not recommended, as they become addictive and lose effectiveness.

In the worst case, medicinal rhinitis develops, accompanied by a constant runny nose, which is much more difficult to cope with than, for example, acute rhinitis.

If hyposmia is the result allergic rhinitis, patients are prescribed antihistamines, and in more severe cases, topical corticosteroids:

Chloropyramine ( Suprastin);
Loratadine (Claritin);
Erius ( Eden);
Telfast;
Ketotifen;
Nasonex;
Flixonase;
Beclomethasone, etc.

When sinusitis becomes the cause of hyposmia, treatment is carried out exclusively under the supervision of an ENT specialist. Any self-medication in such cases can lead to tragic consequences, since inflammation in the sinuses can provoke the development of sepsis, meningitis and other life-threatening pathologies.

Therefore, in such cases, any measures that contribute to how to restore the sense of smell and taste with a runny nose , must be agreed upon with an otolaryngologist.

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You can increase the effectiveness of the therapy prescribed by your doctor by first softening the accumulated mucus. Steam baths are ideal for this. They are done no more than 3 times a day for 20 minutes.

It’s a good idea to add a variety of different ingredients to hot water. medicinal herbs, For example:

chamomile flowers;
succession grass;
linden flowers, etc.

For the same purpose, you can rinse your nose with saline solutions. They can be easily purchased at the pharmacy or prepared at home yourself. In the first case, you need to ask the pharmacist:

Humer;
Aqua Maris;
Marimer;
Quicks;
Aqualor;
No-salt;
Salin;
saline solution, etc.

If you decide to prepare a saline solution at home, then you will need salt, preferably sea salt without flavorings, and purified water. 2 g of salt are thoroughly dissolved in a glass of warm, pre-boiled water. The procedure is carried out with a large amount of the resulting liquid, following simple rules:

The patient lies on his side.
Liquid is injected into the nostril on top from a special dispenser or using a syringe without a needle into a sufficiently large quantities so that it flows out of the lower nostril.
Repeat the procedure, turning over to the opposite side.

Sometimes doctors advise patients to supplement their treatment with:

light massage;
breathing exercises;
magnetotherapy;
laser therapy, etc.

Many people, having a cold, continue to smoke. Of course, talking about how to restore your sense of smell without giving up this sense of smell at least for a while addiction not worth it.

How to treat loss of smell with folk remedies?

Here are popular ways to restore the ability to perceive odors:

Inhalations with lemon and essential oil mint or lavender. For cooking medicinal mixture A glass of boiling water is poured into a wide container, 10 drops of lemon juice and a couple of drops of the selected oil are added.

Breathe over this mixture for 4-5 minutes, trying to take quick breaths, but being careful, since such forced breathing can lead to dizziness. You can substitute mint if desired. alcohol solution menthol. Usually 5 procedures are enough to restore your sense of smell and taste. They are carried out once a day.

Inhalations with essential oil of fir and/or eucalyptus. The manipulation is carried out by analogy with the previous one. If only one of the oils is used, add 2 drops of it to boiling water; if both, then 1 drop of each.

Steam inhalation.
The most common way to carry out such procedures is to inhale the vapors from freshly boiled potatoes.

Perhaps 90% of people have experienced this method at least once in their lives.

Its essence is that a person bends over a saucepan with boiled root vegetables, covers his head with a large towel and breathes in the steam until the potatoes cool down.

Inhalations with sage, nettle, calendula, mint and garlic. Such manipulations will help remove accumulated mucus and unblock the olfactory receptors. They are carried out according to the same principle as with potatoes, but only in the absence of temperature.

Oil drops. Menthol and camphor oil are mixed in equal proportions. The resulting mixture is instilled 3 drops into each nasal passage 3 times a day. Place a napkin or gauze moistened with a few drops on the pillow next to the patient. essential oil basilica You can also apply it to your nose and inhale the fragrant vapors.

The nose cannot smell, what should I do? This is the question asked by everyone who has encountered a similar problem. The first step is to contact a specialist. He will conduct an examination and be able to determine the cause of the loss of smell, and then prescribe treatment.

Causes of loss of smell

There are several reasons why your nose will not smell. Most often this occurs due to swelling of the mucous membrane. With ARVI, influenza, sinusitis, sinusitis, loss of smell occurs, but this is a temporary phenomenon, so there is nothing to worry about: as soon as the swelling will subside, everything will fall into place. To get rid of the problem, you can use drops and sprays. They will help restore nasal breathing and remove swelling.

However, loss of smell sometimes occurs due to anatomical changes in the nasal cavity. It could be:

hypertrophy of the nasal concha;
tumor;
deviated septum;
adenoids;
polyp.

Drops and sprays cannot get rid of this; surgical intervention is necessary. For this reason, you should make an appointment with your doctor to determine the real reason loss of smell. After which treatment will be prescribed.

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When no odors are felt due to swelling of the mucous membrane, vasoconstrictor drugs are prescribed. Most often this is:

"Nazol";
"Nazoveron";
"Rinazolin";
"Naphthyzin";
"Reserpine";
"Naphazoline".

In some cases, antibiotics are prescribed. The drug and its dosage must be calculated by the doctor.

It is recommended to use them for no more than 5-7 days, since they are addictive and will not help subsequently. But usually during this time it is possible to get rid of a runny nose and restore your sense of smell. To speed up the process, it is recommended to rinse your nose with saline solution three times a day. To prepare it, you will need to dissolve 5 g of salt in 1 liter of warm water. Then the product is poured into a special teapot, syringe or syringe, and the liquid is carefully injected into one nostril. It should flow out through the other. Along with it, the bacteria that caused the swelling will also come out. After 3 days of this therapy, you will be able to regain your sense of smell.

Often the reason why the nose does not smell is an allergy. Here you simply cannot do without antihistamines. You can take Claritin or Suprastin and see how the body reacts. If the sense of smell is not restored after a few hours, then it is necessary to identify the allergen and eliminate it, otherwise the problem cannot be solved.

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Traditional recipes for loss of smell

You can regain your ability to smell using folk remedies. To restore the olfactory function of the nose, inhalations are recommended. Good results provide essential oils. The following oils are suitable for the procedure:

pine needles;
eucalyptus;
St. John's wort;
mint;
orange

For inhalation, heat 2 liters of water in a saucepan. Then 8-10 drops of essential oil are added to it, after which the patient covers himself with a towel and inhales the vapors for 15 minutes. The procedure is recommended to be done within 5 days. During this time, the sense of smell should be restored. Inhaling pure oils also gives good results. To do this, apply a few drops to a handkerchief.

Inhalations can also be carried out using herbs. For the procedure you can use the following:

coltsfoot;
chamomile;
calendula;
oregano;
Melissa;
sage;
mint.

You can mix them in equal proportions or take only one plant. To prepare the decoction, you will need to pour 20 g of raw material into 1 liter of boiling water and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Then put a towel over your head and breathe in the vapors for 10-15 minutes. The course of treatment is 3-5 days. The procedure is recommended to be carried out daily. Your sense of smell should return soon. This decoction can be used to rinse your nose; the solution will wash away bacteria from the sinuses, and breathing will become much easier.

If your nose doesn't smell, traditional healers It is recommended to treat this disease with herbs. To do this, you need to light dry wormwood and inhale the smoke. This procedure can be done up to 5 times a day. Your sense of smell should soon be restored. If wormwood is not on hand, you can light garlic or onion skins. Restores the sense of smell and coffee. You should purchase it in grains, pour it into a glass container and inhale the aroma for 10 minutes three times a day.

Propolis will help with this problem. You will need to mix 10 g of the product with 50 g of butter and place in a water bath for 2 hours. Then the mixture is filtered and cooled. It will need to be moistened cotton buds, and insert into the nostrils for 30 minutes twice a day. After a week, olfactory function should be completely restored.

Mumiyo will also help to cope with this problem. To do this, take a grain-sized piece of the product and dissolve it in 5 ml of lamb fat. Cotton swabs should be soaked in this mixture and placed for 30 minutes twice a day. The duration of therapy is 1 week.

It is recommended to instill 2-3 drops of menthol oil into the nose several times a day. You can lubricate your temples and forehead with it; Soon you will be able to feel an improvement. A mixture of menthol and castor oils in equal proportions gives a good effect. It is recommended to apply this remedy to the nose three times a day.

You can restore your olfactory function using the balm " Golden Star" First, the jar is placed in the sun, then after a few hours the ointment is applied to the back of the nose and the middle of the forehead. The procedure is recommended to be carried out up to 10 times a day for a week.

Ginger will also help with this problem. Pour 5 g of dried raw material into 50 ml of hot milk and leave for an hour. Then the infusion is filtered and the nose is washed with it. The procedure is recommended to be carried out three times a day until complete healing. Usually this takes no more than 10 days.

Birch tar helps in the treatment of swelling of the nasal mucosa. You will need 100 g of product per 500 ml cold water and leave for 12 hours. Then 100 ml is added to the mixture beet juice and 5 ml castor oil. The resulting medicine should be slightly warmed and filtered. After which 2 pieces of gauze are moistened in it, which should be folded in several layers, and applied to the forehead, nose, maxillary sinuses and the area under the eyes. Polyethylene and a warm scarf are placed on top. Cotton swabs soaked in the medicine are placed in the nostrils. You need to keep everything for at least 30 minutes. After several such procedures, the problem should completely go away.

You can also treat a nose that does not smell with the help of sage. An infusion is prepared from it. To do this, 10 g of raw material is poured into 200 ml of boiling water and left for 30 minutes. Then the product is filtered and taken 60 ml three times a day before meals.

You can regain your sense of smell with hand baths. You will need to soak your brushes in a saline solution for 15 minutes before going to bed. It is recommended to do the procedure daily for a week.