According to U.K. experts, children recovering from Covid-19 could experience a loss of senses that can affect what they eat.

“Parosmia” — when people experience strange and often unpleasant smell distortions — is relatively common after a Covid infection, with 250,000 adults in the U.K. estimated to have suffered parosmia as a result of having the coronavirus.

Experts believe it might be why Covid-affected children may find it difficult to enjoy the foods that they used to love.

Parosmia sufferers may not smell lemons, but rotten cabbage or gasoline.

Carl Philpott is a leading U.K. smell specialist and he and Fifth Sense published guidance Tuesday in an effort to assist parents and health professionals with better understanding the condition and distinguishing it from fussy eating.

Philpott stated Tuesday, “Parosmia can result from having fewer smell receptors which causes you to only be able to pick up certain components of an aroma mixture.”

We know about 250,000 people in the U.K who have experienced parosmia from a Covid-related infection. However, in recent months and especially since Covid began infiltrating classrooms in September last year, we are becoming more conscious that the Covid infection is also affecting children.

He said, “In most cases, the condition is putting kids off their food. Many may find it difficult to even eat.”

Philpot stated that this condition was not recognized until now by physicians. Many people assumed children are having trouble eating, but it isn’t.

“For some children – and particularly those who already had issues with food, or with other conditions such as autism – it can be really difficult. He said that he expected parents to be at their wits ends and very worried.

Fifth Sense chairman and founder Duncan Boak claimed that there is anecdotal evidence to suggest children have “really been struggling” after Covid.

“We have heard from parents who have noticed that their children are losing weight and having nutritional difficulties. However, doctors believe this is due to fussy eating.  Boak stated that they are keen to provide more information about this topic to the healthcare professionals so they can see the bigger picture.

However, some people still report that their senses of smell and taste have been affected by the Covid infection. This could be due to the longer-lasting condition of “long Covid,” This is something scientists are yet to understand.

Fifth Sense and Professor Philpott recommend that parents listen and trust their children. The authors also suggest that parents keep a food diary in order to note foods that can be safe or triggers.

Philpott pointed out that there are many triggers for this condition, including cooking with meat and garlic or fresh coffee.

Parents and health professionals can encourage their children to try foods that have less intense flavours like bananas or pasta – in order to find out what kind of food they are able to eat or how much they enjoy them. He said that children can get all the nutrition they require without having to taste vanilla or flavor-free protein and vitamin shakes.

Philpott suggested that children can use a “soft nose clip” or keep their noses open while they eat to block the taste of certain flavours.

Finally, he said children and adults alike should consider “smell training” — which has emerged as a simple and side-effect free treatment option for various causes of smell loss.

Smell training involves sniffing at least four different odors — for example eucalyptus, lemon, rose, cinnamon, chocolate, coffee, or lavender — twice a day every day for several months.

Children should only use familiar smells and not triggers for parosmia. Philpott pointed out that while this may not work for younger children, it might help teenagers.