If you think you might be experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, call your health care provider. However, they may also refer you to get a blood test if they suspect you may have a nutritional deficiency or if they suspect another underlying cause. Indeed, patients across the country have reported the metal mouth side effect, according to IE 11 is not supported. But right now, even less is known about how many people in this group develop COVID tongue. No matter when it develops, you might also have other, more-common COVID-19 symptoms: Studies are being done to see if COVID tongue is an early or warning symptom. While rare, developing a metallic taste after a vaccination is not unheard of; in fact, it's a side effect that's been documented with other vaccines, antibiotics and pain medicines. Loss of smell or taste. (2020). Additionally, many people with COVID tongue report experiencing a loss of taste and a burning sensation in their mouth. Nitin Desai, MD, CEO and chief medical officer of COVID PreCheck, told POPSUGAR that he had "a funny metallic taste" in his mouth after getting his second dose of the Pfizer vaccine. Last medically reviewed on January 20, 2022. She's taking it all off. Hnida told CBS Denver this could impact how food and drinks taste. After getting the COVID-19 vaccine, certain symptoms are common. Great, Click the Allow Button Above "We've given tens of thousands of doses of the BioNTech/Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, and the number of people who have reported [a metallic taste] is in the handful range," Dr. Sellick said, referring to his own experience administering and overseeing vaccinations. The researchers collected saliva from a separate group of 35 NIH volunteers with mild or asymptomatic COVID-19 and found those who experienced symptoms were more likely to report a loss of taste and smell if they had virus in their saliva, suggesting oral infection could be the reason for oral symptoms. While it may seem strange, Creech notes the metallic taste is not a side effect to be concerned about. Its extremely common. Often, fatigue and a lingering metallic taste present themselves among other symptoms. If you experience a metallic taste in your mouth after getting the COVID-19 vaccine, "there's no harm in reaching out to your doctor and letting them know," Dr. Mucci-Elliott said. Get treatment and prevention, Impaired taste is the absence or altered sense so taste, such as having a metallic taste in the mouth. Whats the outlook for people with COVID tongue? JAMA Network Open. The treatment for a swollen tongue is designed to reduce the swelling and relieve pain and discomfort. CBS4 Medical Editor Dr. Dave Hnida said hes heard of a number of side effects related to the COVID-19 vaccine. 12 hours ago, by Chanel Vargas Currently, scientists dont know how rare COVID tongue is. Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report: Dr Jayashree. Why was President Biden talking about Utahs 2002 Winter Games at the White House? Take supplements and foods high in vitamin B12. Colombo D, et al. Some COVID-19 survivors claim the virus has wreaked havoc on their sense of scent leaving them smelling "disgusting" odors such as fish and burnt toast. AbScent, a nonprofit dedicated to smell disorders, has had thousands of people write in about their Covid-19 experiences. Indeed, patients across the country have reported the metal mouth side effect, according to NBC News. Mayo Clinic Minute: You're washing your hands all wrong. 2020; doi:10.1038/s41591-020-0916-2. The hands, wrists or ankles also can be affected. High prevalence of concurrent gastrointestinal manifestations in patients with SARS-CoV-2: Early experience from California. Now, youll enjoy a streamlined experience created specifically for healthcare providers. According to John Sellick, an infectious disease specialist at the University of Buffalo, out of tens of thousands of both Pfizer and Moderna vaccine doses that have been administered, only a handful of people reported a metallic taste after the shot. A metallic taste can be an early symptom of anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction. While it may seem strange, Creech notes the metallic taste is not a side effect to be concerned about. Timing is also crucial in this case. Pine nut syndrome is a rare reaction to pine nuts that begins 12 to 48 hours after eating them. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/symptoms-testing/symptoms.html. GoodRx is not sponsored by or affiliated with any of the third-party brands identified. (2021). Most people only experience impaired taste. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's website notes that "these side effects are normal signs that your body is building protection and should go away within a few days.". 1 day ago, by Victoria Edel Are oral mucosal changes a sign of COVID-19? COVID-19 from the perspective of dentists: A case report and brief review of more than 170 cases. Zarch RE, et al. Other treatments, like chewing gum to stimulate saliva, may also be helpful. Mao L, et al. Oral manifestations of systemic disease. Coronavirus disease: Frequently asked questions. John Howard, of Columbia, South Carolina, told NBC News that he suffered from nickel mouth which he described as like having nickels in your mouth within one day of getting his Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. A 2021 study documented COVID tongue as a possible COVID-19 symptom. Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP. Recently, people have reported experiencing an intense metallic taste in their mouth after getting the COVID vaccine. Download the NBC News app for full coverage of the coronavirus outbreak, While unsettling, the metallic taste is not considered to be dangerous, and should diminish with time, Creech said. Dr Jayashree. Sore eyes as the most significant ocular symptom experienced by people with COVID-19: A comparison between pre COVID-19 and during COVID-19 states. Nuno-Gonzalez A, et al. Symptoms of COVID-19. If your medication is causing your symptoms, a doctor may recommend changing your dose or the medication. https://www.medindia.net/news/healthinfocus/covid-19-booster-dose-alters-taste-sensation-in-mouth-205682-1.htm. COVID tongue occurs due to a COVID-19 infection. A small amount of pus might develop under the skin. A new loss of smell or taste without a stuffy nose is a common early symptom of COVID-19. By signing up, I agree to GoodRx's Terms and Privacy Policy, and to receive marketing messages from GoodRx. Symptoms are generally worse in the first trimester. Head injury due to trauma can cause brain cancer by triggering changes in mature brain cells called astrocytes, states the research. If your taste is altered as a side effect of the vaccine, it should happen immediately following your shot. Read this for more information about swollen tongue. Even if you havent had Covid-19, theres another way you might experience a metallic taste in the mouth related to this diseasethe Covid-19 vaccine. While it may seem strange, Creech notes the metallic taste is not a side effect to be concerned about. But recently, some people have been reporting a strange new side effect from the vaccine that is confusing even doctors. Weve seen a few individuals with unusual taste after vaccines, commonly a metallic taste that lasts for several days,he said. Hay fever, also known as allergic rhinitis, is an allergy to pollen, dust, or other allergens. Tongue swelling can quickly become a medical emergency if your airway becomes blocked. Ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatories may help with body aches and pains. Wear a mask until instructed to take it off. In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a pandemic in response to the spread of the COVID-19 infection. The taste is "like having nickels in your mouth," a South Carolina patient named John Howard told NBC News. What's far less common - and, in fact, not even included in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's list of possible side effects - is a metallic taste following vaccination. But just like many things about COVID-19, theres a lot we dont know right now about COVID tongue. COVID-19: Testing. Other side effects of chemotherapy include: Many who are pregnant experience fatigue, nausea, and a metallic taste from fluctuating hormone levels. While rare, developing a metallic taste after a vaccination is not unheard of; in fact, it's a side effect that's been documented with other vaccines, antibiotics and pain medicines. I would like my coffee to taste normal.. "[It] seems to be transient, just lasting a day or two, and it seems to be rare," Dr. Mucci-Elliott told POPSUGAR. For many people, calling 911 means help will reach you faster than going to an ER. (2021). Those that developed this side effect said it lasted anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days. Many people experience a metallic taste in combination with fatigue and other symptoms. POPSUGAR aims to give you the most accurate and up-to-date information about the coronavirus, but details and recommendations about this pandemic may have changed since publication. Just a handful reported metallic taste following vaccinations, she said. (2021). "Metallic taste is interesting, because we really don't know the biological basis for it," Nancy Rawson, vice president of the Monell Chemical Senses Center in Philadelphia, said. Your kidneys filter out waste and excess water from your blood. Normally you'll only taste sweetness after eating something that contains sugar. Sellick Explains Metallic Taste After COVID-19 Vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines for kids: What you need to know, COVID-19 vs. flu: Similarities and differences. Potential causes of fatigue and a metallic taste in mouth, COVID-19 Symptoms Usually Show Up in This Order, Fatigue and a metallic tastealongside other symptoms, cancer.org/treatment/treatments-and-side-effects/treatment-types/chemotherapy/chemotherapy-side-effects.html, nhs.uk/conditions/kidney-disease/symptoms/, nhs.uk/conditions/vitamin-b12-or-folate-deficiency-anaemia/symptoms/. While COVID-19 vaccine-related metallic taste is short-lived and likely does not need treatment, there are recommended treatments for a metallic taste due to other causes. An abdominal mass may lead to weight gain and symptoms such as pain and bloating. "There is no metallic taste receptor.". According to NBC News and Popsugar, those who experienced the metallic taste following vaccination said it came on within minutes of their first dose. This metallic taste is often compared to the taste of nickels. Experts say that if a person experiences a metallic taste immediately after getting the booster dose, it is normal and nothing to worry about. "If it happens days later, especially if in combination with loss of smell, it's a fairly solid sign of SARS-CoV-2 infection," Dr. Sellick told POPSUGAR. He said its likely caused by the immune system, which is reacting to the COVID-19 vaccine. Get regular dental checkups, brush your teeth twice per day, and floss daily. By providing your email address, you agree to receive emails containing coupons, refill reminders and promotional messages from GoodRx. If you have a metallic taste after starting a medication, talk to your doctor about stopping the medication, if possible. DOI: Melley, LE, et al. (2020). And Paul Wartenberg, 50, of Mulberry, Florida, said he tasted metal for several hours after his Moderna injection. Your body may stop producing an adequate amount of blood cells, which may lead to tiredness and a lack of energy. NBC News reported that some people are experiencing an immediate metallic taste in their mouth right after getting the Covid-19 vaccine. Katie Ramirez, left, watches as her mother, Claudia Campos, swabs the mouth of her daughter, Hailey, for a COVID-19 test at a testing site in Los Angeles, Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2020. . What's far less common and, in fact, not even included in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's list of possible side effects is a metallic taste following vaccination. People with COVID tongue have swollen tongues that might develop bumps, ulcers, and white patches. 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