How a Cold Affects Taste and Smell
A cold often causes nasal congestion and inflammation, which can reduce your sense of smell. Since flavor perception depends heavily on smell, a blocked nose can make food taste bland or different.
Common Causes and Duration
Viral infections, nasal swelling, and postnasal drip are typical reasons taste or smell changes during a cold. Most people notice improvement as congestion clears, usually within a few days to two weeks.
When to See a Doctor
Contact a healthcare provider if you cannot taste or smell after your other cold symptoms improve, or if you have sudden loss without congestion. Persistent changes may signal sinusitis or another condition that needs evaluation. For more information on smell and taste disorders, visit the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders at https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/smell-and-taste-disorders.
