Page Summary
- PRP is an emerging treatment for selected patients with persistent smell loss.
- PRP is applied to the upper nasal cavity in the region of the olfactory cleft.
- Evidence is still developing, so PRP is not appropriate for every cause of smell loss.
- The cause of smell loss should be assessed before deciding whether PRP is appropriate.
Original educational illustration created by the author; anatomy is simplified for clarity. Source: Samargandy S, 2026.
How to cite this figure →Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP)
Platelet-rich plasma, or PRP, is made by drawing a small sample of your own blood and concentrating the platelets, which contain growth factors that may support tissue healing. For smell loss, PRP is applied inside the nose near the smell receptors.
Who may be a candidate?
This may be considered for selected patients with persistent smell loss, particularly when other causes have been evaluated and standard treatments such as smell retraining therapy have not fully restored smell.
What happens during the procedure?
A small blood sample is taken and processed to concentrate the platelets. The platelet-rich plasma is then placed endoscopically directly in the smell region inside the nose. The procedure is performed in the office and does not require general anesthesia. In some cases, the treatment may be repeated depending on the response.
What to expect afterward
Most people resume normal activity the same day. Any improvement in smell tends to happen gradually, over weeks to months, rather than immediately.
Risks
The procedure is generally safe, and significant complications are uncommon. Bleeding and other complications are very rare.
The evidence is still evolving. Early research on PRP for smell loss is encouraging, but this remains a newer treatment, and it is not yet established as a routine or guaranteed therapy. It's typically considered alongside, not instead of, other evidence-based treatments such as smell retraining therapy.