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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Could Cause Swollen Nostril?

I have an area by and under one nostril that is enlarged, slightly hard, and it has gotten bigger in the last year. I don't remember when I first noticed it, but it has been several months at the very least. While it is not tender to the touch, it does feel underneath the tissues that it is similar to the beginning of a cold or sinus problem. My concern is that it has been there for months.
posted on Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Twitter Thu, 9 Feb 2017 Answered on
Twitter Fri, 10 Feb 2017 Last reviewed on
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ENT Specialist,  's  Response
Hi,thank you for posting your query on health care magic.

Looking at your symptoms,the swelling in the nostril which you are talking about might be an enlarged inferior turbinate.Turbinates are mucosa lined bony shells inside the nasal cavity.The mucosa may get hypertrophied(enlarged) in a case of infection or inflammation in the nose.In such a case the mucosal swelling over turbinate may reduce by using Oral decongestant like Phenylephrine and Nasal decongestant drops like Xylometazoline(to be used only if you are not suffering from hypertension).If no relief with medication and you suffer from continuous nasal blockage on that side,then Surgery like Turbinoplasty might be needed.

This is one of the most common possibility which I am suspecting.It would be advisable to consult an Otolaryngologist doctor for Nasal endoscopy to find out the cause.

Hope this answers your question.Take care.
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What Could Cause Swollen Nostril?

Hi,thank you for posting your query on health care magic. Looking at your symptoms,the swelling in the nostril which you are talking about might be an enlarged inferior turbinate.Turbinates are mucosa lined bony shells inside the nasal cavity.The mucosa may get hypertrophied(enlarged) in a case of infection or inflammation in the nose.In such a case the mucosal swelling over turbinate may reduce by using Oral decongestant like Phenylephrine and Nasal decongestant drops like Xylometazoline(to be used only if you are not suffering from hypertension).If no relief with medication and you suffer from continuous nasal blockage on that side,then Surgery like Turbinoplasty might be needed. This is one of the most common possibility which I am suspecting.It would be advisable to consult an Otolaryngologist doctor for Nasal endoscopy to find out the cause. Hope this answers your question.Take care.