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Rhinology · UK

PRP for loss of smell - a rhinologist first, and an honest appraisal of a new therapy.

Endoscopic olfactory cleft PRP for persistent post-viral loss of smell - delivered by a specialist rhinologist, with proper smell testing, MRI and structured olfactory training. Emerging evidence, careful selection, no false promises.

See indicative pricing
A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Indicative pricing

What private PRP for loss of smell costs in the UK.

Indicative ranges across our rhinology partners. Firm quotes with training and follow-up included.

In short

£950–£1,800, with a 3-session course over 8–12 weeks.

OptionIndicative range
Rhinology consultation + endoscopy£280–£520
Objective smell testing (Sniffin’ Sticks)£120–£250
Single olfactory cleft PRP injection£950–£1,800
3-session olfactory PRP course£2,600–£4,800
Sinus MRI (where indicated)£450–£850
Sinus CT (where indicated)£300–£550
Olfactory training coaching (per session)£90–£180

Prices vary by clinic, by consultant seniority and by whether combined visits or extra work-up is needed.

The problem

A specialist assessment before a specialist injection.

Long COVID and post-viral anosmia have made smell loss common. PRP is one emerging option among several - none of them work well without olfactory training and a proper diagnosis.

  • Test the loss objectively

    A Sniffin’ Sticks or UPSIT panel measures what you can actually detect and identify. Without objective testing we cannot measure response.

  • Structured olfactory training runs alongside

    Twice-daily smell training with a defined set of odours is the intervention with the strongest evidence - PRP is added to it, not instead of.

  • Image the brain when the story warrants it

    Sudden loss without infection, associated neurology or head injury needs MRI first. An injection cannot fix an olfactory groove meningioma.

When it helps

When olfactory PRP is a reasonable option.

The patterns of smell loss where PRP is being considered - plus the red flag that means brain imaging rather than an injection.

  • Persistent post-viral anosmia

    Loss of smell after COVID or another upper respiratory virus that has not recovered by 6–9 months despite training.

  • Parosmia (distorted smell)

    Smells rewired unpleasantly - coffee smells of chemicals, meat of rotting. Selected patients are considered for PRP alongside training.

  • Hyposmia from chronic rhinosinusitis (post-treatment)

    Where sinus surgery and steroids have controlled the disease but smell has not returned - an off-label consideration.

  • Post-traumatic hyposmia

    After head injury where MRI shows olfactory bulb changes - selected cases, honest expectations.

  • Failed olfactory training

    Where a 12-week structured training programme has not moved objective scores meaningfully.

  • Selected occupational patients

    Chefs, sommeliers, perfumers and firefighters where smell function is central to work - earlier consideration is reasonable.

  • Dysgeusia (taste distortion) with anosmia

    Where the taste symptom follows the smell loss - PRP addresses the olfactory driver.

  • Red flag: sudden loss with neurology or headache

    Sudden anosmia with headache, visual change, seizure or new weakness needs urgent brain imaging - not a PRP appointment.

Treatment options

Olfactory cleft PRP is one option - the pathway includes more.

What the current UK olfactory pathway looks like, and where PRP sits within it.

  • Endoscopic olfactory cleft PRP

    The standard delivery - endoscope-guided injection into the olfactory cleft mucosa under topical anaesthesia. No GA needed.

  • PRP with olfactory training

    The recommended combination. Training is the evidence-based baseline; PRP is added on top for selected non-responders.

  • Topical intranasal PRP (drops)

    A newer delivery method used in some clinics - evidence is thinner than for injection.

  • Systemic steroids (short course)

    Considered early after post-viral loss where inflammation is thought to persist - not a chronic treatment.

  • Topical intranasal steroids

    Standard where any nasal inflammation contributes; not a primary anosmia treatment alone.

  • Functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS)

    Reserved for chronic rhinosinusitis or polyps causing conductive smell loss - a different mechanism from post-viral anosmia.

  • Olfactory training alone

    Twice-daily exposure to a defined odour set for 12+ weeks. Cheap, evidence-based and the first line for most patients.

  • Omega-3, vitamin A drops, zinc - as adjuncts

    Mixed evidence. Some centres use them as low-risk adjuncts; none is a stand-alone answer.

Safety and recovery

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  • Minor nasal discomfort for 24 hours

    Some pressure or fullness in the upper nose. Paracetamol only - no NSAIDs for two weeks.

  • Small nosebleeds

    A little bleeding at the injection site is normal. Head forward, pinch the soft part of the nose for 10 minutes.

  • Infection is very rare

    Sterile technique brings the risk under 1 in 500. Any fever, worsening facial pain or purulent discharge needs same-day review.

  • No nose blowing for 24 hours

    Sniff gently; do not blow. No swimming, diving or air travel for one week.

  • Anticoagulation reviewed

    Aspirin usually continues; warfarin, DOACs and antiplatelets are individually managed with cardiology.

  • Parosmia may fluctuate

    Distorted smells can temporarily worsen after any nasal procedure. Give it 4–6 weeks before judging.

  • Not for suspected intracranial pathology

    Any red-flag neurology needs imaging first. PRP has no role in olfactory groove meningioma or head-injury olfactory bulb transection.

  • Not for active sinusitis

    Untreated bacterial or fungal sinus infection needs treatment before considering PRP.

  • Honest response rates

    Emerging evidence suggests modest benefit in around 40–60% of well-selected patients. We measure objectively and stop courses that do not deliver.

Reading your olfactory record

Your olfactory PRP record in four parts. Read the last one first.

Baseline smell test, endoscopy findings, injection technique and forward plan - the parts a rhinology clinic should send after every session.

A UK consultant reviewing a patient record

A quiet reminder

Smell tests without a standardised protocol are anecdotes. We insist on validated tools and consistent follow-up.

Ask your care team to explain anything that is unclear.

  1. 01Baseline

    Smell test scores and endoscopy

    Sniffin’ Sticks or UPSIT scores, and endoscopic appearance of the olfactory cleft (mucosal oedema, discharge, polyps).

  2. 02Technique

    Injection sites and volumes

    Which side, how many deposits, PRP volume per side, and any adjunct measures (steroid, saline lavage).

  3. 03Training

    Olfactory training programme

    Odour set in use, frequency, and how well you have been able to keep to the programme.

  4. 04Impression

    Expected response and next step

    Read this first: expected timeline, next test date, whether a second session is planned and when to stop if no change.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Olfactory PRP is considered emerging by UK insurers.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about PRP for loss of smell.

Quick answers on cost, safety, recovery and how we compare with the NHS pathway.

  • Can PRP really bring back a lost sense of smell?

    Emerging small studies of endoscopic olfactory cleft PRP suggest a modest benefit over training alone in persistent post-viral anosmia - roughly 40–60% of selected patients report meaningful improvement on objective smell testing. It is not a cure and it does not work for everyone.

  • How long after losing my smell should I consider PRP?

    Most rhinologists wait 6–9 months from the initial loss before recommending PRP, giving natural recovery and structured olfactory training the first chance. Occupational cases (chefs, perfumers) are sometimes considered earlier.

  • Does it hurt?

    Mild pressure and stinging under topical anaesthesia. Most patients rate the procedure 3–4 out of 10, with mild nasal discomfort for 24 hours and occasional small nosebleeds.

  • How many injections will I need?

    The most common protocol is three injections at 4-week intervals, alongside olfactory training. Objective smell testing at baseline, 4 weeks and 12 weeks tells us whether to continue or stop.

  • How much does olfactory PRP cost privately in the UK?

    A single olfactory cleft PRP session is £950–£1,800; a three-session course runs £2,600–£4,800. Additional smell testing, endoscopy and (where indicated) sinus MRI or CT are on top.

  • Is it available on the NHS?

    Not routinely - a handful of tertiary rhinology units are running trials. Most olfactory PRP in the UK is private.

  • What if I have parosmia rather than complete loss?

    Parosmia - where smells are distorted - can also be considered for PRP alongside training. Fluctuation for weeks after any nasal procedure is normal, so we allow 4–6 weeks before judging.

  • Do I still have to do smell training if I have PRP?

    Yes. Structured twice-daily olfactory training is the evidence-based baseline. PRP appears to help most as an add-on to training - not as a substitute for it.

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