Metallic Taste in Mouth After COVID - Causes & How Long It Lasts

Metallic Taste in Mouth With COVID - Causes and Duration

One of the more peculiar symptoms some people experience with a COVID-19 infection is a persistent metallic or bitter taste in the mouth. This strange symptom can linger even after the infection has passed. If you have recently recovered from COVID and are still dealing with a metal mouth taste, you’re not alone.

In this article, we’ll cover the common causes behind this COVID mouth symptom, why it happens, how long it normally lasts, and what you can do to get rid of the annoying metal mouth sensation faster.

Why COVID Causes Weird Mouth Tastes

A metal mouth taste is most often caused by parosmia, a post-viral condition that distorts your sense of smell and taste. With parosmia, receptors in your nose and mouth become damaged from the virus, causing regular smells and tastes to register as unpleasant metallic or chemical sensations.

Beyond parosmia, there are a few other potential reasons you may have a metal taste from COVID:

• Medications - Some treatments like antibiotics can cause mouth metal taste as a side effect.
• Oral thrush - A fungal infection like thrush can also create a temporary metallic taste.
• Nasal congestion - Stuffy sinuses can block smell receptors needed for normal taste.
• Dry mouth - Reduced saliva flow allows tastes to concentrate.

How Long Does the Metallic Taste Last After COVID?

Unfortunately, there is no definite timeline for how long post-COVID metal mouth lasts. The duration depends on the extent of damage to smell and taste receptors and nerves.

For some, the metallic taste goes away within weeks of recovering as receptors heal and regenerated. But for others, parosmia can persist for months after having COVID due to more extensive damage.

On average, most people seem to recover normal taste and get rid of metallic mouth within 4-6 weeks after infection. But in severe cases, it can take 6 months or longer for the unpleasant taste distortion to fully go away.

Does the Metallic Taste Mean You Still Have COVID?

The persistence of metal mouth taste does not necessarily mean you are still contagious with COVID. Most people have this symptom show up after the worst infection symptoms pass.

It is simply a lingering effect of viral damage to smell and taste receptors. As those cells regrow and nerve pathways repair over the coming weeks, the metallic taste usually fades in tandem.

Can You Speed Up Recovery from Metallic Mouth?

While there is no instant fix to make post-COVID metal mouth go away overnight, there are a few things you can try to help speed up recovery:

• Stay hydrated - Drink plenty of fluids like water to keep mucus thin and mouth moist.
• Use sinus rinses - Rinsing congested nasal passages helps reopen smell receptors.
• Try smell training - Smell different scents twice daily to stimulate receptors.
• Avoid irritants - Don’t smoke, drink alcohol, or use mouthwash during recovery.
• Monitor for thrush - See a doctor if you suspect an oral thrush infection.
• Take zinc supplements - Zinc supports taste bud and smell receptor healing.

See your doctor promptly if taste distortion lasts longer than a month. They can check for underlying issues and help restore normal taste faster.

Coping with Metallic Taste from COVID-19

That persistent metallic mouth feeling can definitely be annoying and make your favorite foods unappetizing. Here are some tips to help you cope while your taste is distorted:

Stick to Flavorful Foods

Focus on eating foods with stronger natural flavors that may be able to overpower the metal taste somewhat. Options like:

• Citrus fruits
• Pickles
• Spicy foods
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Saltier foods like soy sauce

Avoid Metallic-Tasting Foods

On the flip side, stay away from foods that tend to taste more metallic when your tastebuds are impaired, like:

• Red meat
• Poultry
• Eggs
• Carbonated beverages
• Alcohol
• Coffee

Change Up Your Routine

Trying new recipes and foods may help make eating more tolerable until the metallic taste fades. Look for creative ways to add more spices, herbs, marinades, and garnishes to give dishes an extra flavor kick.

Use Plastic Utensils

Avoid putting metal silverware in your mouth, as it can make the metallic taste sensation worse. Use plastic forks, spoons, and knives instead.

Consider Supplements

Vitamin supplements that support taste and smell recovery like zinc, vitamin A, and alpha lipoic acid may help diminish the metal mouth feeling faster.

Stay Positive

Remember that the metallic taste is only temporary and will go away gradually as your senses heal. Focus on foods you enjoy and stay patient knowing normal taste will return.

When to See a Doctor

In most cases, metallic taste after COVID will disappear on its own within several weeks. But if you experience any of the following, make an appointment to see your doctor:

• The metallic taste lasts longer than a month
• Your sense of taste seems to be worsening, not improving
• You have symptoms of an oral infection like white patches or sores
• You have difficulty eating or are losing weight due to distorted taste

A doctor can rule out other underlying conditions, provide treatments to help speed up taste bud healing, and support proper nutrition until your taste fully recovers.

Why Other Taste and Smell Side Effects Happen Post-COVID

Beyond just metallic taste, COVID can also cause other smell and taste disorders like:

Parosmia

Parosmia causes smells and tastes to be distorted and perceived differently than normal. Like smelling chemicals or rotten smells instead of pleasant scents.

Phantosmia

This condition makes you smell odors that aren’t really present, like burnt toast or smoke when nothing is burning.

Ageusia

Some people temporarily lose all ability to taste anything after COVID, known as ageusia. Food becomes bland and flavorless.

Anosmia

A total loss of smell, or anosmia, also commonly occurs after COVID due to damage to olfactory receptors.

These conditions are all similarly caused by damage to smell and taste sensory cells from the viral infection. They can make eating challenging, but fortunately do eventually resolve as the receptors heal.

How Does COVID Cause Loss of Taste and Smell?

To understand why these neurological symptoms happen, it helps to look at the underlying mechanisms behind smell and taste:

Impact on Olfactory Receptors

Odor molecules become airborne and travel through the nose to reach olfactory receptors. These receptors detect smells and communicate with the brain. COVID can damage these receptors, impairing smell ability.

Damage to Supporting Cells

The virus also attacks other cells that support and protect olfactory neurons. When these sustentacular cells die, smell nerves become vulnerable.

Inflammation and Congestion

Swelling in the nasal passages from inflammation can clog smell receptors. This inhibits odor molecules from reaching them.

Loss of Taste Bud Function

With smell impaired, you also lose much of your sense of taste. Smell and taste are intimately linked, as aroma contributes greatly to perceived taste.

How Smell and Taste Recover After COVID

The good news is that for most people, smell and taste do eventually recover within weeks to months as the nerves regenerate. Here is the healing process:

1. Nerve Regeneration

Olfactory stem cells help regenerate and regrow the damaged smell nerve cells. Taste buds also regenerate every 10-14 days naturally.

2. Reconnection

As new nerves grow, they gradually reconnect with smell and taste pathways to the brain to restore conductivity.

3. Healing Inflammation

Nasal swelling subsides allowing odor molecules to again reach receptors and activate nerves.

4. Sensory Re-training

Actively smelling scents and tasting foods helps re-establish neurological connections and acclimate receptors.

Risk Factors for Long-Term Smell and Taste Disorders

While most people regain their senses after COVID, some have longer-lasting issues. These risk factors make you more prone to extended or permanent smell/taste loss:

• Severe initial infection
• Mild smell or taste loss before COVID
• Nasal or sinus surgery history
• Traumatic brain or nose injury
• Smoking
• Radiation therapy
• Underlying neurological condition

Those at higher risk may benefit from early intervention treatments to help recover smell and taste sooner.

Can Smell and Taste Distortion Lead to Depression?

Yes, losing your sense of smell (anosmia) and taste (ageusia) due to COVID can negatively impact your mood and set the stage for depression. Here’s why these sensory losses can be depressing:

• Less able to enjoy food and drink flavors
• Impaired connection to fond memories associated with smells
• Reduced appetite leading to poor nutrition
• Feeling disconnected from things and people
• Fear about permanent loss causing anxiety

The good news is recovering smell and taste can quickly lift mood and banish depression. Focus on techniques to retrain your senses and stay socially engaged.

Supporting Smell and Taste Recovery

If you are still experiencing smell or taste distortion weeks after having COVID, there are things you can do at home to aid your recovery:

• Smell training - Spend time twice daily purposefully smelling scents like essential oils, herbs, and fragrances.
• Stay hydrated - Drink plenty of fluids to keep nasal passages moist.
• Use a humidifier - Proper moisture in the air helps smell flow.
• Irrigate sinuses - Use saline rinses to flush out congestion.
• Avoid irritants - Don’t smoke or expose yourself to air pollutants.
• Take supplements - Vitamin A, zinc, and omega-3s support smell/taste nerves.

See an ENT doctor or neurologist promptly if loss lasts over 2 months for specialized testing and treatments.

Can Smell Training Help?

Yes, actively smelling different scents for 5-10 minutes twice daily can help reawaken smell receptors damaged by COVID and spur regeneration. Try to use 4 different scents like:

• Essential oils - eucalyptus, lemon, rose, clove, lavender
• Herbs and spices - cinnamon, mint, oregano, coffee
• Natural scents - pine, oranges, vanilla, peppermint

Focus intently on each scent, trying to recall memories linked with that smell. This smell training therapy activates neural pathways and supports full recovery.

Other Taste Disorder Causes Beyond COVID

While COVID is the most common culprit nowadays, other conditions can also cause metallic and other taste distortion issues. These include:

• Zinc deficiency
• Oral thrush
• Dental fillings
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Bell’s palsy
• Common cold or flu
• Medication side effects
• Dry mouth

See your doctor if you have ongoing taste changes not linked to COVID for proper diagnosis and treatment.

Takeaways

Having a persistent metal mouth taste after COVID is common and likely due to smell distortion called parosmia. While annoying, it usually resolves within weeks as smell receptors heal.

Use smell training, nasal hygiene, hydration, and possible supplements to help speed up recovery. Avoid irritants in the meantime, and see a doctor if symptoms last longer than a month.

With patience and proper care, you can regain your normal taste and smell after COVID-related taste bud damage. Focus on self-care to help your senses rebound faster.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.