People who lost their sense of smell and associated taste due to Lang Covid have recovered through nose operations.
Experts have used a technique to correct blocked nostrils on patients suffering from a deep smell loss Covid infection.
It is believed that there may be up to 100,000 people in the UK who have lost their sense of smell due to long covid.
Penelope Newman, 27, of South London, was one of those who participated in the new University College London Hospitales NHS Foundation Trust (UCLH) study.
She said: “Before I had the surgery on my nose, I began to accept that I would probably never be able to smell or taste things as I was used to.
“The food I could cook and eat was so limited, and I couldn’t go to restaurants because I would feel bad.
“Getting something as drastic as surgery was a risk that I was willing to get the little chance that it could help.”
Penelope Newman said her sense of smell was almost normal again. Photo: Dad
The cultivation, known as functional septoroplasty (FSRP), is typically used to correct any deviation from the nasal septum, which increases the size of the nasal corridors and airflow to the region that controls the odor.
Researchers believe that the operation “kick starts” smell recovery in patients who have lost their sense of smell to long covid.
Ms Newman continued: “Since the surgery, I have started enjoying food and smelling the same way I used to be.
“I can cook and eat garlic and onions now and people can cook for me too. I can eat with my friends and family.
“My taste and smell almost became normal again. I’m not sure if it will ever return, because I still have a small reduction in it, but I’m so glad that I am no longer as isolated as I once were.
“I will never take my senses again for granted.”
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The study included 25 Lang Covid patients, with 12 of the patients undergoing surgery, while the control group of 13 patients continued with smell exercises – to sniff the same scents repeatedly – for the study.
All patients who underwent surgery have an improved sense of smell compared to none of the patients in the sniffing test group, where 40% actually reported a worse sense of smell.
