Nasal Polyps and Deviated Septum

Key points

• • Nasal polyps are soft, pale, grape-like swellings of the nasal lining, caused by long-standing allergy or inflammation.
• • They cause a blocked nose, a reduced sense of smell and a runny nose, and large ones may be seen inside the nostril.
• • They are linked with asthma, and in children the possibility of cystic fibrosis should be considered.
• • A deviated nasal septum is a bent partition between the two nostrils, often from injury or from uneven growth.
• • A marked deviation blocks one side of the nose and can contribute to sinus infection and nosebleeds.