Can a sinus infection make food taste different?

Therefore, a sinus infection could make your sense of taste dull, even while you still know if something is sweet or salty. However, finer taste nuances such as the flavor of a subtle soufflé or a fine wine could be lost until you unplug your sinuses.

Do sinus infections make things smell bad?

Sinusitis causes symptoms such as sinus inflammation and nasal congestion, which can interfere with a person’s sense of smell. The condition can also cause bad breath and a discolored, bad-smelling discharge in the nose and back of the throat, all of which may create a bad smell in the nose.

Can you lose your taste and smell from a sinus infection?

Similar to upper respiratory infections, both allergy related nasal congestion and sinus infections can trigger the loss of your sense of taste and smell due to increased inflammation and mucus in the nasal cavities.

Can you smell and taste a sinus infection?

A side effect of nasal congestion is that you will find it challenging to smell or taste. Again, the swelling is to blame since the scents and aromas you are used to can’t reach the top of the nose. Sometimes, the inflammation presses down on the nervous system, impacting the signal that triggers taste and smell.

How do you get rid of sinus smell?

The mucus that’s produced by your infected sinuses can smell bad and drip down the throat into the mouth. Drinking a lot of water along with frequent mouth rinsing, sinus rinses, or brushing your tongue may help reduce this symptom.

What foods trigger sinus congestion?

Food to Avoid Avoid dairy if you have had previous episodes of sinus infections. Also, try to avoid refined sugar as it is pro-inflammatory and increases the production of mucus. Other foods to avoid include tomatoes (contain histamines), chocolate, cheese, gluten, and fruits like bananas, which can cause congestion.

How do you know it’s a sinus infection?

Sinus Infection Symptoms

1. Sinus pressure behind the eyes and the cheeks.
2. A runny, stuffy nose that lasts more than a week.
3. A worsening headache.
4. A fever.
5. Cough.
6. Bad breath.
7. Thick yellow or green mucus draining from your nose or down the back of your throat (postnasal drip)
8. Fatigue.

What are symptoms of a severe sinus infection?

Common symptoms of sinus infections include:

• Runny nose.
• Stuffy nose.
• Facial pain or pressure.
• Headache.
• Mucus dripping down the throat (post-nasal drip)
• Sore throat.
• Cough.
• Bad breath.

What causes loss of smell after a sinus infection?

The most common causes of extended loss of smell occur as a result of upper respiratory infection and sinusitis (sinus infection). For many infections like upper respiratory infections, it appears the post-infection smell loss is typically temporary because of the olfactory system’s phenomenal plasticity.

Why does my nose smell bad when I eat?

However, certain foods and drinks, as well as some drugs, may linger in the mouth or trigger an unpleasant smell in the nose, especially: Dry mouth, or xerostomia, can develop when the flow of saliva is not adequate. Most people with dry mouth feel continuously parched and have swollen nasal passages.

Why does my infection smell bad?

Unfortunately for these patients, the location of the infection is the most important cause for the smell because of the proximity of the infection to the olfactory apparatus that processes our ability to smell. However, there are other mitigating circumstances that contribute to the foul smell.

Can a sinus infection affect your sense of taste?

Air movement in your sinuses usually helps the volatile molecules settle in, providing a brain signal letting you know what it is you’re tasting. Therefore, a sinus infection could make your sense of taste dull, even while you still know if something is sweet or salty.