Corticosteroids might restore sense of scent in COVID-19 sufferers

COVID-19 is understood to trigger lack of scent in sure sufferers. Whereas this symptom is mostly momentary, roughly 10% of sufferers might endure from it for six months or extra.

Earlier analysis carried out by a workforce of researchers from INRAE and ENVA noticed that the SARS-CoV-2 contaminated olfactory mucosa is invaded by immune cells resulting in its destruction and extended irritation. Primarily based on these observations, the identical workforce determined to evaluate the effectiveness of corticosteroids–known for his or her anti-inflammatory properties-;in restoring the sense of scent.

Their outcomes assist the existence of a direct hyperlink between the lack of scent brought on by the virus and a lower within the olfactory neuron inhabitants within the nasal mucosa. As well as, they present that early remedy with dexamethasone, a generally used corticosteroid, improves the restoration of olfactory skills in animals.

The advance of the olfactory capacities is related to a discount of the immunity cells within the mucosa, and an elevated degree of regeneration of the olfactory neuron inhabitants. These outcomes counsel that the corticosteroid therapies at present used-;which haven’t been very profitable within the remedy of extended anosmia-;might be more practical if prescribed early, on the onset of signs of lack of scent.