Does afrin (oxymetazoline) mess up your sense of taste?

Not directly: If you use afrin for more than 3 days, you may develop what is called rhinitis medicamentosa or rebound. This is a condition wherein every time you inappropriately use the nasal drop or spray, the tissue becomes even more swollen. With enough swelling, you may develop anosmia or loss of smell. This leads then to an alteration of taste. Stop using afrin and have a doctor put you on steroids.