For more information or to schedule an appointment, contact us. Nasal Problems. Skip to content Menu. April 13, What is the septum? There are several reasons why you may have a hole in your septum. Some of them include: Nasal trauma from an accident or injury Problems or complications from previous nasal surgery An infection Complications from prescription medication Inflammatory disorders Illegal drug use, particularly the use of cocaine Septal piercing or problems from nasal piercings In some very rare cases, cancer can also cause a perforated septum.
What is the difference between a perforated septum and a deviated septum? What are the symptoms of a perforated septum? How is a septal perforation treated?
Often, medical treatment such as topical ointments or nasal sprays may allieviate the problem. Initial treatment of a deviated septum may be directed at managing your symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe:. Decongestants are medications that reduce nasal tissue swelling, helping to keep the airways on both sides of your nose open.
Decongestants are available as a pill or as a nasal spray. But use nasal sprays with caution. Frequent and continued use can create dependency and cause symptoms to be worse after you stop using them. Oral decongestants have a stimulant effect and may cause you to be jittery as well as make your blood pressure and heart rate go up.
If you still experience symptoms despite medical therapy, you may consider surgery to correct your deviated septum septoplasty. During a typical septoplasty, the nasal septum is straightened and repositioned in the center of the nose.
This may require the surgeon to cut and remove parts of the septum before reinserting them in the proper position. The level of improvement you can expect with surgery depends on the severity of your deviation. Symptoms due to the deviated septum — particularly nasal obstruction — could completely go away. However, any other nasal or sinus conditions you have that affect the tissues lining your nose — such as allergies — can't be cured with only surgery.
At left, a woman's nose before rhinoplasty. On the right, the same woman pictured one year after the surgery. In some cases, surgery to reshape the nose rhinoplasty is performed at the same time as septoplasty. Rhinoplasty involves modifying the bone and cartilage of your nose to change its shape or size or both.
You're likely to start by seeing your family doctor or a general practitioner. However, in some cases when you call to set up an appointment, you may be referred directly to an ear, nose and throat specialist.
Your time with your doctor is limited, so preparing for the doctor's questions to you as well as creating a list of questions to your doctor can help you make the most of your time together. In addition to the questions that you've prepared to ask your doctor, don't hesitate to ask further questions during your appointment.
Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Some of the reasons for developing a septum perforation include:. Procedure was quick, painless, and almost instant results. Everyone is super friendly and it is always a pleasure to go into the office.
Both a perforated septum and a deviated septum can cause troublesome symptoms, but they are different conditions and have to be treated accordingly.
A deviated septum means the septum is bent or crooked, while a septal perforation means a tear or hole has formed in the septum wall.
Symptoms of a septal perforation can vary depending on the size and location of the hole. Many patients who have a perforated symptom are completely unaware of it. Perforations that bring on symptoms are typically larger and closer to the nostril, towards the front of the septum.
These symptoms commonly include:. If a perforated septum goes untreated for too long it can lead to more serious side effects such as the collapse of the nose. Whether or not a septal perforation can heal on its own depends on the size and location of the hole or tear, but it is typically unlikely that it will heal completely without any treatment. In fact, if gone untreated a perforated septum can become infected, which often expands the hole and worsens the condition.
It is important to have an experienced doctor look at your septum right away if you start experiencing uncomfortable symptoms of septal perforation. There are a variety of treatment options available to help patients who suffer from a perforated septum.
Treatments range from topical ointment to surgery, though some are designed to alleviate symptoms rather than fix the problem long term. Moisturizing ointment or cream can be used to keep the nasal septum from drying out, allowing it to heal and regulate more effectively.
Make sure to approve the ointment or emollient with your doctor before using it in your nose, as some can contain harmful ingredients. Regular saline rinses can soften crusting and help moisturize the inside of the nose, alleviating discomfort and helping humidify the air as it enters the airways.
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