April 21, 2006
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A tiresome by-product of congestion is losing one’s sense of smell and, ergo, taste.
What I don’t understand is why, now I can breathe pretty well again, my sense of taste is still AWOL? I know it’ll show its whiskers eventually – it always does – but it still seems if I can breathe through my nose I ought to be able to smell and taste, too.
Comments (3)
Maybe the relevant nerves sustain some minor damage that takes time to heal?
Or maybe there’s still a thin coating of, um, stuff that prevents the necessary molecules of the substance from getting into direct contact with the nerves.
Saline nasal spray won’t clear your nose like those others but will help and not hurt. Also gargle with 1/2 hydrogen peroxide and 1/2 water. Both help. Also generic benedryl helps and helps you sleep. Thus sayeth Mom.
I don’t think that taste completely disappears– most of the time in my case, it just gets dulled. I can taste things, but the depth and satisfaction is gone. Some things, like salt, I can taste. But coffee just isn’t the same. That does not keep me from drinking it though.