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What Could Cause You To Lose Your Sense Of Taste After Taking Zicam, Airborne, And Cold-Eeze?
Posted on
Mon, 26 Feb 2018
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Mon, 26 Feb 2018
Answered on
Sat, 5 Jan 2019
Last reviewed on
Question : I took cold ease, zicam & airborne last week as I felt a cold coming on. Now, I have last ALL sense of taste. Thinking it's too much Zinc. Very frustrating. Will my taste return?
Brief Answer:
Discussion follows.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
It is very likely that the loss of taste sensation is due to Zinc . Zicam is the most likely agent and FDA has advised consumers not to use zinc-containing nasal preparations like Zicam after receiving over 100 reports of loss of smell.
The duration of the loss of effect is variable but usually lasts 3 days to weeks. This would be related to the dose to some extent.
Do get back to me if you have further queries.
Regards.
Discussion follows.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Welcome and thanks for your query.
It is very likely that the loss of taste sensation is due to Zinc . Zicam is the most likely agent and FDA has advised consumers not to use zinc-containing nasal preparations like Zicam after receiving over 100 reports of loss of smell.
The duration of the loss of effect is variable but usually lasts 3 days to weeks. This would be related to the dose to some extent.
Do get back to me if you have further queries.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Have you heard reports of taste loss from Zicam or just smell loss? Cold-ease is also a strong, biting lozenja, which also has some zinc content - any reports of that causing taste loss? I’ve taken these products over the years (once or twice per year) when feeling a cold coming on & never had this reaction.
Brief Answer:
Yes.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Smell is a very important for appreciation of taste.
When smell is lost, taste becomes bad.
The presence of a cold or blocked nose adds to the problem.
Wish you a fast recovery.
Yes.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
Smell is a very important for appreciation of taste.
When smell is lost, taste becomes bad.
The presence of a cold or blocked nose adds to the problem.
Wish you a fast recovery.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Didn't fully answer my question. I have now read that taste loss can be result of insufficient ZINX in my system. Is this correct?
Brief Answer:
Yes.
Detailed Answer:
ZINC deficiency is a cause for reduced taste and supplementation improves the taste. As I understand you did not have taste loss before you started Zinc and the problem started after you took Zinc supplements. Therefore zinc deficiency is unlikely to be the cause of the taste loss.
If the symptom does not abate in a couple of weeks, it would be better to see a neurologist and have yourself examined and investigated.
Regards,
Dr. Noble Zachariah, Internal Medicine Specialist
Yes.
Detailed Answer:
ZINC deficiency is a cause for reduced taste and supplementation improves the taste. As I understand you did not have taste loss before you started Zinc and the problem started after you took Zinc supplements. Therefore zinc deficiency is unlikely to be the cause of the taste loss.
If the symptom does not abate in a couple of weeks, it would be better to see a neurologist and have yourself examined and investigated.
Regards,
Dr. Noble Zachariah, Internal Medicine Specialist
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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