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Anosmia Awareness Day

Smell is a sense that most people probably take for granted but it is, in fact, something that not every person has. This often underappreciated sense is an important part of everyday life – whether simply smelling flowers for enjoyment or smelling smoke that might indicate danger is nearby.

Body & Health Charity Healthcare Helping Others35

Marketing angleinferred

Position your healthcare or wellness brand as a compassionate partner in anosmia awareness and support, driving patient education and ENT specialist referrals during February.

Relevance 35medium intent

Share patient stories: 'Living without smell—how anosmia affects daily life'
Educational content: 'When to see an ENT—signs of anosmia and treatment options'
Awareness campaign: 'Millions live with anosmia. Here's how to support them.'
Partner with ENT clinics: 'Schedule your smell assessment this February'

History

While ‘anosmia’ is a word that many people learned in 2020 as this condition was a symptom of COVID-19, Anosmia Awareness Day dates back a bit further. This day was started in 2012 by founder Daniel Schein who, himself, was born with congenital anosmia which means that he never could smell.

Schein’s desire to establish this day was to improve public awareness and increase the educational opportunities that can be provided related to the sense of smell.

Sometimes referred to as “nose blindness”, anosmia is a condition that can be challenging to live with – and it impacts millions of people around the world daily.

How to celebrate

Show Support and Raise Awareness

People who have anosmia deal with some particular types of loss in their lives without the sense of smell. Anosmia Awareness Day seeks to improve public knowledge to increase the support and compassion that communities, whether online or in real life, show to those affected by this condition. Share some information with friends, make a post on social media or find other ways to make the community more aware of anosmia.

See an ENT Doctor

People who suspect that they are living with a partial or full loss of smell should make an appointment with a doctor to help diagnose and provide support. Anosmia Awareness Day acts as an excellent reminder to call a general practitioner or Ear/Nose/Throat doctor and make an appointment to learn more. Get more involved with this theme by also connecting with National Sense of Smell Day, which is celebrated in late April.

FAQ

Can someone be born without a sense of smell, and how is that different from losing it later in life?

Yes. Congenital anosmia is when a person is born without any sense of smell, often due to underdevelopment or absence of olfactory structures in the nose or brain, and it is usually permanent. Acquired smell loss happens later in life and can result from infections like COVID-19, chronic sinus disease, head injury, or nasal polyps, and in some cases may improve if the underlying cause is treated.

How can anosmia affect taste, appetite, and body weight?

What most people call “taste” is largely flavor, which depends heavily on smell, so people with anosmia often report that food seems bland or one‑dimensional. This can lead to reduced appetite and weight loss in some individuals, while others may overuse salt, sugar, or fat to compensate, which can contribute to weight gain or cardiovascular risk.

What everyday safety risks do people with anosmia face, and how can they reduce them?

People who cannot smell may not notice smoke, gas leaks, or spoiled food, which increases the risk of fire, poisoning, and foodborne illness. Experts recommend using interconnected smoke and gas detectors, relying on appliance indicator lights and timers, labeling and dating food, storing high‑risk foods separately, and asking trusted family, roommates, or coworkers to help with periodic safety checks.

When should someone with a change in smell see a doctor, and what tests might be done?

A person should see a doctor or ear, nose, and throat specialist if smell loss is sudden, follows a head injury, is accompanied by persistent nasal symptoms, or lasts more than a few weeks after an infection. Clinicians may take a detailed history, examine the nose and sinuses, use standardized smell identification tests, and sometimes order imaging such as CT or MRI scans to look for nasal polyps, sinus disease, or brain abnormalities.

Is there any treatment or rehabilitation for anosmia?

Treatment depends on the cause: nasal steroids, surgery for polyps, or managing chronic sinusitis can restore smell in some people, and smell often returns gradually after viral infections. For persistent loss without a reversible cause, “smell training” with repeated, structured exposure to a set of odors has been shown in clinical studies to help some patients partially recover or improve their sense of smell over time.

How is smell loss connected to conditions like COVID‑19 and neurological diseases?

COVID‑19 commonly causes acute smell loss by affecting the cells that support olfactory neurons, and many people recover within weeks, though some develop longer‑term dysfunction. Independently of COVID‑19, reduced sense of smell in older adults is associated in research studies with a higher risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease, which makes persistent smell loss an important symptom to mention to a clinician.

How can workplaces and schools better support people who live with anosmia?

Inclusive environments recognize that someone with anosmia may miss odor‑based warnings or social cues, and they adjust expectations accordingly. Helpful measures include using visual or audible alarms rather than relying on smell, giving clear written food safety rules, avoiding judging colleagues or students on perfume or body‑odor norms, and offering flexibility for individuals who may find communal eating, cooking classes, or certain job tasks more challenging without a sense of smell.