PEOPLE who lost their sense of smell as a result of Covid-19 are being urged to seek help to prevent any further dangerous situations.

Anosmia, or the loss of sense of smell, is one of the recorded side effects of coronavirus - and other viruses.

Medics at the North Cumbria Integrated Care (NCIC) Trust are urging those with anosmia to get help.

Andrew Robson, ENT Consultant at NCIC, said: “It has been known for some time that viruses can cause anosmia, and this can last for considerable lengths of time.

"Anosmia also affects the sense of taste and is understandably quite distressing, affecting an individual's appreciation of food and drink among other pleasurable scents.

“This condition also potentially gives rise to dangerous situations, such as an inability to detect gas leaks, fire or spoilt food.”

With other causes for loss of smell, such as allergies or head injuries, the symptoms may be reversed through treatment.

However, post-viral anosmia may damage the actual nerve endings for which there is no known cure. The nerve endings may recover over time but it will take a while.

Only 10 per cent of people experience prolonged post-viral anosmia, most people recover their sense of smell very quickly after contracting coronavirus.

Christopher Rusius, ENT Registrar at NCIC, said: “A lot of patients have been to see their GP about their loss of smell. We are starting to see a few more patients referred to us now with that problem.

“Smell retraining is one of the things that can help. It involves buying a kit or making potions yourself with essential oils.

"The smells are quite strong and the thinking is that this can sometimes trigger the nerve endings to start stimulating again.”

There are a number of charities in the UK that have been set-up to help people suffering from a loss of smell.

AbScent and Fifth Sense offer advice and support for people with anosmia - they also provide smell retraining kits.

It is believed that repeated exposure to smells, such as those from essential oils, will encourage the nerve endings to recover.

Mr Rusius added: “In light of the ongoing risk of coronavirus exposure, and the distress a resulting loss of sense of smell can cause, we would encourage early consideration of smell training in anyone for whom anosmia lasts for more than two weeks."

“In those who have lost their sense of smell, people should be aware that they may not be able to smell fire, gas or food that has gone off and take appropriate precautions.

“If anosmia lasts more than three months patients should be referred to the local ENT department.”