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After getting a headache due to a cold shower, I lost the sense of smell. Why?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

I have a problem with my sense of smell. I have lost my sense of smell after having a headache after taking a cold shower directly to my head. It has been six days now. I cannot smell things like perfume, food, and soap. But I can taste the food that I eat every day.

I do not feel that I have a cold or sinus. I am negative for COVID-19. I do not have any travel history, and I am staying inside my home. Please mention the kind of problem I faced. Is it temporary?

Because it got started after getting a headache after a cold shower. I have mild pain in my nose with a mild throbbing headache. It comes and goes on, and it lasts for a minute.

Please advise.

Thank you.
Answered by Dr. Sandeep Shrestha

Education:

MS Otorhinolaryngology

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sandeep Shrestha is an experienced ENT Specialist with extensive years of clinical practice. He is skilled in diagnosing and treating a wide range of ear, nose, and throat conditions. Dr. Shrestha is committed to providing personalized and effective care through advanced medical and surgical techniques, ensuring the best possible outcomes for his patients while promoting their overall ear, nose, and throat health.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

As per the history, you have hyposmia. It results in a decrease in the sensation of smell. Hyposmia is caused due to various reasons such as allergic rhinitis, head trauma, deviated nasal septum, smoking, dental pain, drugs, neurological disorder, or sometimes it can be idiopathic. It is important to evaluate the condition that causes hyposmia.

Please answer a few of my questions so I can guide you better:

  1. Do you have a smoking habit?
  2. Are you taking any medication?
  3. Do you have any systemic disease?
  4. Do you have any nasal or sinus problems?

Detailed history helps us to have a better diagnosis. As it is just six days, it may return to normal spontaneously if you do not have any definite cause. You can do steam inhalation two to three times a day. It is good for both the nose and paranasal sinuses.

I hope this helps you.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Sneha Kannan
Published At September 12, 2020
Reviewed At May 6, 2026

Education:

MS Otorhinolaryngology

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sandeep Shrestha is an experienced ENT Specialist with extensive years of clinical practice. He is skilled in diagnosing and treating a wide range of ear, nose, and throat conditions. Dr. Shrestha is committed to providing personalized and effective care through advanced medical and surgical techniques, ensuring the best possible outcomes for his patients while promoting their overall ear, nose, and throat health.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sneha Kannan is a skilled Dental Surgeon with expertise in providing general dental care, including scaling, fillings, and preventive treatments. She does oral surgery procedures such as extractions and minor surgical interventions. She does procedures in restorative dentistry, including crowns, bridges, and dentures. She is an expert in doing endodontic treatments such as root canal therapy. She is well-versed in doing procedures in cosmetic dentistry, including teeth whitening and smile correction. She can provide pediatric dental care for children’s oral health and preventive treatments. She promotes oral hygiene awareness and preventive dental practices.  

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

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Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sandeep Shrestha
Dr. Sandeep Shrestha

Otolaryngology (E.N.T)

Education:

MS Otorhinolaryngology

Professional Bio:

Dr. Sandeep Shrestha is an experienced ENT Specialist with extensive years of clinical practice. He is skilled in diagnosing and treating a wide range of ear, nose, and throat conditions. Dr. Shrestha is committed to providing personalized and effective care through advanced medical and surgical techniques, ensuring the best possible outcomes for his patients while promoting their overall ear, nose, and throat health.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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After getting a headache due to a cold shower, I lost the sense of smell. Why?

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