Grapes In Your Nose

Do you have “grapes” in your nose? No, I’m not referring to the kind that’s eaten. By grapes, I’m talking about nasal polyps or non-malignant growths in the nasal cavities.

Polyps are actually sinus lining tissue that swells as a result of chronic irritation or allergy in the nose. The risk of having polyps increases with sinusitis, vasomotor rhinitis and other nasal problems.

"Nasal polyps may appear singly or in clusters and look something like pearly grapes. Although they are benign, they may obstruct nasal passages, making breathing difficult, and may affect the sense of smell,” said Dr. Malcolm H. Schvey, associate clinical professor of otolaryngology, in “The Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons Complete Home Medical Guide.”

Other signs are a feeling of fullness in the face, nasal discharge, facial pain and headaches. Possible complications include repeated infections and nosebleeds.

Polyps usually require surgical treatment. The procedure is called a nasal polypectomy and is done in a hospital by an EENT specialist or general surgeon. Local anesthesia is used and the polyps are removed by a snare or wire loop. In the absence of complications like excessive bleeding and surgical wound infection, the patient can leave the hospital in a day and will completely recover in two weeks.

After surgery, the following general measures are recommended by Dr. H. Winter Griffith in “The Complete Guide to Symptoms, Illness & Surgery”:

Don't blow your nose for the first three days after surgery.

Beginning 24 hours after surgery, apply warm compresses to the nose to relieve discomfort. Do this for 15 to 20 minutes several times daily, for as long as needed.

Call a doctor if there is pain, swelling, redness or bleeding in the surgical area or if you develop signs of infection like headache, muscle aches, dizziness or fever.

Although nasal polypectomy is a minor surgical procedure, it may have to be repeated when other polyps appear. Recurrence of polyps is common even with surgery. The best way to prevent polps, therefore, is to obtain prompt, medical treatment for the underlying allergy. Your doctor may recommend allergy tests and desensitizing procedures to determine the real cause of your colds which could be an allergic reaction to dust, pollen, tobacco smoke or other air pollutants. This is different from the common cold, a self-limiting condition that usually clears up in seven to 14 days without treatment.

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