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A new treatment is giving hope to people who have lost their sense of smell due to Covid or other viral infections. Scientists have developed an innovative approach that could help restore the ability to smell, even years or decades after it was lost.

First UK Patient Tries Groundbreaking Smell Therapy

Chrissi Kelly has become the first person in the UK to try a new treatment that uses platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. PRP is made from the patient’s own blood. Doctors use a machine to separate the blood into different parts. The platelets are then injected back into the body to help repair damaged olfactory nerves.

Kelly lost her sense of smell in 2012 after a sinus infection. “It felt like a huge loss, almost like grief,” she said. Over time, she developed phantosmia, which causes people to smell things that are not there, and parosmia, which makes familiar smells seem unpleasant or distorted.

In the past, the only treatment she could find was smell training, which involved sniffing different scents like coffee and lavender. She later founded the charity AbScent to help others suffering from anosmia. AbScent provided smell training kits and a support network for people with the condition.

When the Covid pandemic spread worldwide, anosmia became a common issue. Comedian Katherine Ryan and many others lost their sense of smell. AbScent grew from 1,500 to 95,000 members as more people searched for solutions. However, the charity had to close last year due to financial difficulties.

New Research Brings Fresh Hope

The Covid pandemic led to increased research into anosmia. Prof. Zara Patel of Stanford University discovered that PRP injections could help the olfactory nerve regenerate. The olfactory nerve is unique because it has the ability to heal itself. Patel conducted clinical trials, and the results showed that PRP worked better than a placebo. Some patients even regained their sense of smell after many years.

Prof. Claire Hopkins, a leading expert in rhinology at Guy’s Hospital in London, was impressed by Patel’s research. Hopkins was one of the first to link Covid with anosmia and had been looking into possible treatments.

“Many people with anosmia feel desperate and will try anything, even unproven remedies like burning oranges,” Hopkins said. “But PRP has solid scientific evidence. It’s a simple procedure, low-risk, and already used in other NHS treatments.”

Since PRP only requires a centrifuge and the patient’s own blood, it is likely to be approved for wider use. If hospital boards give their approval, ear, nose, and throat specialists could offer the treatment in clinics across the UK.

Early Signs of Progress

Kelly will receive two more PRP injections over the next three months. While she remains cautious, she has already noticed small improvements in her sense of smell.

“I’ve been practicing smell training for years, so I know how to recognize changes,” she said. “I still avoid onions, but coffee is starting to smell normal again. Some foods are also tasting better.”

She also described noticing smells in her environment again. “The other day, I went outside and thought, ‘That smells nice.’ Before I turned around, I realized it was winter-flowering jasmine.”

If PRP treatment continues to show success, it could change the lives of thousands of people with anosmia. Many who lost their sense of smell due to Covid or other infections have been left without answers. This new therapy offers hope that they may one day regain their sense of smell and enjoy life’s simple pleasures again.

For more updates on medical advancements and breakthroughs, visit Financial Mirror.