When to Seek Medical Help
Loss of smell if left untreated can cause further complications, such as unwanted weight loss, vitamin deficiency, [4] and malnutrition. [5]
Anosmia can also negatively affect your quality of life, leading to depression.
If at-home treatment is not proving to bring your sense of smell back, you should immediately talk to your doctor. They may recommend medical treatments to use alone or in combination with at-home smell therapy.
“Loss of smell due to nasal masses might be treated by surgical excision. If it is due to allergies, saline irrigation and allergy medication is recommended. For post-viral anosmia, medications such as cis retinoic acid or alpha lipoic acid have been used with some success,” says Dr. Aaronson.