Beauty and the Nose: Embracing Nasal Deformities
A nasal deformity is a malformation in the nose that causes breathing difficulties, impaired sense of smell, and other issues. Nasal cavity oddity occurs when a congenital inadequacy, traumatic injury, or medical condition causes an unusual appearance.
What do we need to know about nasal deformities?
A nasal deformity can be cosmetic or functional. Cosmetic nasal deformities affect the physical appearance of the nose as functional nasal deformities can lead to complications with breathing, snoring, sinuses, taste, and smell.
What are the types of nasal deformities?
- Septum deviation – the cartilage that separates the nostrils (septum) is bent to one side.
- Enlarged adenoids: The lymph glands at the back of the nose (adenoids) can swell up and block the airway, resulting in sleep apnea.
- Swollen turbinates — the turbinates on each nostril clean and humidify the air that breathes. They obstruct breathing when swollen.
- Saddle nose – We know it as boxer nose trauma; certain diseases or cocaine abuse causes it.
- Nasal or dorsal hump: We understand the cartilage and bone irregularities in the nose and excess bone or cartilage. Often inherited, trauma can also cause it.
Other congenital nasal deformities exist.
What are the symptoms of nasal deformities?
- Loud breathing
- Sleep apnea
- Nasal cycle – the nasal rhythm occurs when the nose gets blocked. This condition is normal, but if it happens, it may show an abnormal obstruction.
- Nasal congestion
- Breathing through your mouth
- Loss of taste or smell
- Bleeding – if the nose cavity surface dries out, you may experience more nosebleeds.
- Sinusitis that lasts for a long time (inflammation of the sinus passages)
- Sinus infections
- Pressure or pain in the face
What are the causes of nasal deformities?
The following are the most common medical conditions that cause changes in nasal structure. Nasal deformities can be congenital (from birth) or the result of an injury or other trauma, previous surgery, ageing, or any medical condition.
- Polyps and tumours in the nose
- Sarcoidosis, an inflammatory bowel disease
- Wegener granulomatosis (inflammation of the blood vessels in the nose, sinuses)
- Polychondritis (an inflammatory disorder in the nose)
- Disorder of connective tissue
- Injuries
When should you go to your ENT surgeon or your otolaryngologist?
- Nasal bleeds
- Severe nasal injury
- Breathing difficulties
- Nasal pain
- Breathing difficulties following swelling
How is nasal deformity treated?
An otolaryngologist will examine both sides of the nose, inside and out. Experts perform Internal examinations using a fiberscope (a camera attached to a flexible optical fibre). Otolaryngologists may use a fibrescope to locate if there is a mechanical blockage. This examination allows for the diagnosis of both aesthetic and functional issues. Your otolaryngologists will then discuss with you the treatment aspects, the surgical techniques to be applied, and the approach they need to take.
Medications may include:
- Analgesics: to treat headaches and sinus pain
- Decongestants: to treat nasal congestion and swelling
- Antihistamines: to treat allergies, antihistamines can help reduce congestion and dry up a runny nose
- Steroid sprays: to treat nasal tissue inflammation
Surgical options include:
- Rhinoplasty is a nose-reshaping procedure that improves nasal function or improves the appearance
- Septoplasty is the surgical straightening of the septum
Conclusion
Nasal cavity aberration occurs when a congenital inadequacy, traumatic injury, or medical condition causes an unusual appearance. A nasal deformity can be cosmetic or functional.
FAQs:
Are the surgical procedures painful?
ENT surgeons may use local anaesthesia in some cases. Consult your doctor for details about surgical procedures.
Why do the nostrils become clogged?
It all comes down to the 'nasal cycle.' We may not realize it, but our bodies purposefully direct airflow through one nostril more than the other, switching nostrils every few hours.
Is it possible to reshape the nose?
Yes. Bones and cartilage determine the shape of your nose, and your doctor alters it with a surgical procedure.
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