Taste - impaired: when to get help

1. 1

   Is any of this happening now?

   Call 911

   Call emergency services if a sudden taste change occurs with signs that could indicate a stroke, such as:

   • Facial drooping
   • Weakness or numbness on one side
   • Trouble speaking or understanding speech
   • Sudden severe dizziness, loss of balance, or vision change

   Breathing difficulty is an emergency.

   Other emergency signs, for anyone

   • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
   • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
   • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
   • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
   • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
   • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
   • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
   • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
2. 2

   Is any of this happening?

   Be seen today

   Seek same-day medical advice if the change follows a significant head injury, or if swelling of the tongue or throat makes it difficult to breathe or swallow.

   And for anyone, someone who:

   • has a wound that is hot, spreading red, or leaking pus
   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these
3. 3

   Does any of this apply?

   Book an appointment

   Arrange a routine appointment if impaired taste lasts several weeks, keeps worsening, repeatedly returns, or has no clear explanation.

   You should also book an appointment if it is causing weight loss, poor nutrition, difficulty eating, persistent mouth sores, dental pain, or severe dry mouth.

   Yes, one of theseNo, none of these

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Taste - impaired. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.