COVID and Metallic Taste

Metallic Taste in Mouth Post COVID-19

Do you feel taste like old pennies in your mouth? This condition is known as Dysgeusia or parageusia. Covid-19 causes a change in your sense of taste such as metal mouth that can be an indication of a variety of medical issues.

Metallic taste in mouth, also known as dysgeusia can be a symptom of COVID-19. This is a taste disorder that tends to last longer than other symptoms. Alike, respiratory infections such as the common cold can also leave people with a metallic taste. SARS-CoV-2-Vaccine also leads to metallic taste hours to week after the vaccination apart from COVID-19 infection. SARS-CoV-2 Vaccinations also induce transient symptoms including muscle aches or fevers.

People commonly might develop a metal taste immediately after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine and mainly it is no reason to be concerned. This is a benign side effect that resolves on its own within a day or two and is usually rare.

If you develop a loss of smell, loss of taste, or if these symptoms begin a day or two after your shot, then see a doctor. A loss of smell or taste after vaccination is mostly due to COVID-19 infection.

Symptoms of COVID-19 & Metallic Taste in Mouth

COVID-19 is a viral infection caused by coronavirus, which can cause a wide range of flu-like symptoms 2 to 14 days after exposure.

Common symptoms of Covid-19 include:

• Fever
• Chills
• Cough
• Difficulty breathing
• Fatigue
• Loss of taste or smell
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea

The main symptoms of dysgeusia have to do with how you perceive taste. You may find that foods have lost their sweetness or saltiness, and food might taste sour, rotten, or metallic. People with this condition also might have it in tandem with burning mouth syndrome , where your mouth has a burning sensation that causes pain.

Typically, metal mouth resolves itself once the underlying cause has been treated, but a COVID-19-induced metallic taste in the mouth could stick around for weeks or even months after your recovery from the virus.

Cause of Metallic Taste in Mouth

Taste is one of the important part of the five senses. Taste would involve several neurological functions. There could be various reasons for metallic taste on mouth, such as coronavirus infection. During Covid-19 infection the perception of taste could be due to the innate immune system.

COVID-19 causes the metallic taste in the mouth as the virus damages the cells at the roof of your nose. It is different from other viral infections as it can cause damage to the cells without symptoms of nasal congestion. The metallic taste results from the infection to supporting cells. This would make the loss of smell as well as taste last longer than the common cold.

Some medications like antibiotics or vaccine may also leave you with metallic taste in mouth. Doctor would prescribe various antibiotics, some with heavy dosage for COVID-19 treatment. Approximately, over 300 medications can be associated with a metallic taste.

For some people the metallic taste results from the zinc absorption being affected by other drugs. A low zinc level can also cause the metallic taste. For other people, the cause of metallic taste is idiopathic. Some of the rare reasons include:

• Medication-induced changes in saliva production,
• Presence of the drug in your saliva,
• Changes in normal cell function,
• Nerve damage,
• Infection, and
• Changes to the nervous system.

Your doctor will check your medical history, perform a physical exam, and ask you about your symptoms before the treatment. But, they would also recommend getting a blood test if they suspect any nutritional deficiency or if they suspect another underlying medical cause.

If the metallic taste is because of COVID-19 the doctor would run a test to confirm the diagnosis.

Treating Metallic Taste in Mouth

COVID-19 vaccine-related metallic taste resolved on its own in a short time and does not need treatment. But, there are recommended treatments for a metallic taste due to other causes. These treatment regimes would include:

• Olfactory Training: For infection-related causes, doctors recommend sniffing scents containing lemons and cloves for 20 seconds twice a day for at least 3 months.
• Stopping any medications associated with a metallic taste: If antibiotics or any other medication is causing the metallic taste, it is good to consult the doctor to change the medication or stop it.
• Lifestyle changes: Incorporating home remedies like using artificial saliva if dry mouth is part of the problem, drinking plenty of water, and avoiding metal utensils.
• MetaQil Metallic taste oral rinse: For immediate symptomatic relief MetaQil is recommended. It is available over-the-counter.
• Cold Food: Eating cold foods also reduces the metallic taste, as well as chewing sugar-free gum and sour-tasting drops.

Preventing Metallic Taste in Mouth

The doctor recommends various steps you can take on your own to minimize metal mouth:

• Maintain good oral hygiene such as regular brushing, flossing and tongue-scraping, to keep your mouth healthy.
• Staying hydrated to prevent dry mouth that can cause a metallic taste.
• Avoid metal cutlery and water bottles that can worsen metallic tastes. Use glass, plastic or ceramic cutlery instead.
• Rinse your mouth with solution of baking soda and warm water before you eat. This would regulate the pH balance of your mouth and help to neutralize acid, including the metallic taste.
• Quit smoking, as cigarettes may worsen the taste of metal.
• Use ice cubes, chips and unsweetened ice pops to reduce metallic taste instantly.
• Use mint or a piece of gum,
• Eat citrus fruits, especially lemon and lime juices, sour foods like pickles and other vinegar-based items and sweeteners, such as maple syrup.

Outlook

The altered taste symptoms is confusing as some people suffer from metallic taste whereas, others are more susceptible. Metallic taste can result from numerous medical conditions including medication side-effect, chemotherapy, GERD, and now most notably by the coronavirus.

It is possible to develop a metallic taste in your mouth after COVID-19 infection or even after receiving Covid-19 vaccine. It usually begins almost immediately after the shot and lasts up to a couple of days. To reduce the effect drink plenty of water, chew gum, and avoid metal utensils.

If the metallic taste is caused after starting a medication, talk to your doctor about stopping the medication or replacing it, if possible.

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If you or anyone you know is suffering from the metallic taste in your mouth after Covid-19, our expert providers at Post Covid Centers will take care of your health and help you recover.

Call 469-545-9983 to book a telehealth appointment for a home check-up.