Usually, the inability to smell in rhinitis may be caused by swelling of the nasal mucosa and damage to the olfactory nerves, which can be treated by medication and surgery.
1. Mucosal swelling: Inflammation and swelling of the nasal mucosa leads to blockage of the nasal cavity, resulting in the inability to smell. It can be treated with medications such as fluticasone propionate, budesonide and other nasal sprays. 1% ephedrine nasal drops can also be used, which can relieve the inflammatory reaction of mucosal swelling.
2. Damage to olfactory nerve: Due to long-term rhinitis, the mucous membrane is highly irritated, causing damage to the olfactory nerve endings attached to the mucous membrane, and it is not easy to recover from the loss of sense of smell caused by this condition. Surgical treatments are available, such as anterior nostril closure surgery and endoscopic sinus opening surgery.
The purpose of anterior nostril closure is to narrow the nasal cavity in order to reduce nasal ventilation, reduce the evaporation of water from the nasal mucosa, and reduce the formation of dry mucosal crusts. Nasal endoscopic sinus opening is indicated for patients with combined nasal polyps and sinusitis. Nasal mucosa will be removed and sinuses will be opened during the operation, and symptoms such as nasal congestion can be improved after the operation.
If you can’t smell the rhinitis and the symptoms are more serious, you need to go to the hospital and follow the doctor’s instructions when you undergo the treatment.