Help! I can't taste anything!

[Anonymous]

Thanksgiving is 2 days away and I can't taste anything (I am getting over a bad cold, but still have a cough and some nasal congestion/pressure). I am not wise in what medicines might be good for what symptoms. Would a decongestant help me get my sense of taste back? Any other suggestions on being able to taste food on Thanksgiving?

[Anonymous]

The nasal decongestant sprays like Afrin will clear you right up. Just use it about 1/2 hour before the meal.

It's not good for continued use but it's definitely the best you can get for a Thanksgiving, stuffy nose emergency.

[Anonymous]

Unfortunately Afrin, while it will clear up your congestion, will not give you back your sense of taste. Only time will do that. Mine usually last for 3-4 days, so maybe you'll be clear by then. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Thanks to both of you! Here's hoping that a touch of Afrin for the congestion and enough time has elapsed so I can taste all the great food!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately Afrin, while it will clear up your congestion, will not give you back your sense of taste. Only time will do that. Mine usually last for 3-4 days, so maybe you'll be clear by then. Good luck!

Actually your sense of smell directly impacts your ability to taste. If you can't smell because of congestion this is what causes your taste to be off. If you clear the congestion it fixes the problem.


I have no idea what the science behind having no sense of taste for 3 or 4 days after being congestion free. I'm not saying it doesn't happen to you but it's definitely odd and probably not what the OP will experience.

[Anonymous]

Would love to know what happened>?? I am experiencing the same problem and it's Christmas day! I have been taking the decongestants & even though I can breathe, I still can't taste anything!! Very depresseing!?!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately Afrin, while it will clear up your congestion, will not give you back your sense of taste. Only time will do that. Mine usually last for 3-4 days, so maybe you'll be clear by then. Good luck!

Actually your sense of smell directly impacts your ability to taste. If you can't smell because of congestion this is what causes your taste to be off. If you clear the congestion it fixes the problem.


I have no idea what the science behind having no sense of taste for 3 or 4 days after being congestion free. I'm not saying it doesn't happen to you but it's definitely odd and probably not what the OP will experience.

That's another reason air freshener is so asinine.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately Afrin, while it will clear up your congestion, will not give you back your sense of taste. Only time will do that. Mine usually last for 3-4 days, so maybe you'll be clear by then. Good luck!

I have no idea what the science behind having no sense of taste for 3 or 4 days after being congestion free. I'm not saying it doesn't happen to you but it's definitely odd and probably not what the OP will experience.

I have never been able to taste on the days my congestion is to bad that it's caused temporary anosmia (lack of sense of smell) even if I use Afrin. I completely agree with the PP that, if your congestion is bad enough to cause anosmia, you probably won't be able to taste until it clears up on its own (2-3 days for me). Afrin will help you breathe, though.

I think it has to do with the area of the sinuses that is swollen/congested when anosmia occurs -- it must be close to the olfactory bulb? -- not being the area that Afrin helps to decongest for all people.

P.S. don't forget not to use Afrin for more than 3 days or you'll get rebound congestion

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Unfortunately Afrin, while it will clear up your congestion, will not give you back your sense of taste. Only time will do that. Mine usually last for 3-4 days, so maybe you'll be clear by then. Good luck!

Actually your sense of smell directly impacts your ability to taste. If you can't smell because of congestion this is what causes your taste to be off. If you clear the congestion it fixes the problem.


I have no idea what the science behind having no sense of taste for 3 or 4 days after being congestion free. I'm not saying it doesn't happen to you but it's definitely odd and probably not what the OP will experience. Nope your wrong time is the only way for your taste to come back. I am just getting over a cold and the conjestion is gone and still cannot taste anything, so your wrong.

[Anonymous]

I agree. Afron won't help you taste even though it may clear up congestion. It is thanksgiving day and I have had a cold
Now for 6 days and have not been able to taste or smell for 5 of them. And it's thanksgiving!! Very sad I might go see a doctor if this continues.. I have had this happen before but only for 2-3 days..not 5! I feel your pain and it's very fustrating and no medicine helps!

[Anonymous]

This is actually a blessing in disguise, as it will prevent you from overeating!

Happy Thanksgiving, OP!

[Anonymous]

its funny how we have surgeries to change the gender of a subject, and technology that enables us to fly into space and land on the moon, but we cant find a cure for the common cold...

[Anonymous]

I get the same thing, almost every time I have a cold. It's scary because you think it will never go away! I agree about the simplest problems often being the ones we still continue to suffer from. Acne anyone?

[Anonymous]

My name is James and I'm getting really angry because I haven't been boe to taste any food for the last 3 days so what can I do to clear it up

[Anonymous]

I sometimes cant taste for 3 MONTHS at a time....i have nasal polyps and get bad sinus infections so count your lucky stars all of you that cant taste for a few days....imagine not tasting for 90 days and once i am done with steroids/antibiotics it happens right away again so this is my life