How to get smell back?

A blocked nose can prevent odour molecules from reaching the smell area high inside the nose. Swelling from a Common Cold, Allergic Rhinitis or Sinusitis may cause this temporary change. Smell can also stay altered after congestion improves because the nasal lining and smell pathways need time to recover. A blocked nose, cough, fever, earache or facial pressure can occur alongside the original illness, but none proves a particular diagnosis.

Rest and keep fluids available. Avoid cigarette smoke, vaping and irritating fumes. Saline spray can moisturise and loosen mucus; if you rinse the nose, use sterile, distilled or boiled and cooled water and clean the rinse bottle as directed. Smell training involves gently noticing familiar scents for short sessions, without placing anything inside the nostrils. Avoid overusing medicated decongestant sprays, and check with a pharmacist or clinician before choosing a nasal medicine, especially if you have other conditions or take regular medicines.

Seek urgent care for breathing trouble, confusion, severe dehydration, a sudden severe headache with neck stiffness, or new weakness. Book an assessment when smell loss is unexplained, one-sided, recurrent, associated with persistent facial pain or nosebleeds, or still present after the respiratory illness has cleared. Use smoke alarms and take extra care with food safety while you cannot smell normally.

Could my symptoms come from inflammation, allergy, infection or a medicine? Is a nasal examination needed? Would smell training or a specific nasal treatment be appropriate for me?