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Nose Injuries and Disorders
Summary
Your nose is important to your health. It filters the air you breathe, removing dust, germs, and irritants. It warms and moistens the air to keep your lungs and tubes that lead to them from drying out. Your nose also contains the nerve cells that help your sense of smell. When there is a problem with your nose, your whole body can suffer. For example, the stuffy nose of the common cold can make it hard for you to breathe, sleep, or get comfortable.
Many problems besides the common cold can affect the nose. They include:
- Deviated septum – a shifting of the wall that divides the nasal cavity into halves
- Nasal polyps – soft growths that develop on the lining of your nose or sinuses
- Nosebleeds
- Rhinitis – inflammation of the nose and sinuses sometimes caused by allergies. The main symptom is a runny nose.
- Nasal fractures, also known as a broken nose
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Find an Expert
- American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
- American Rhinologic Society American Rhinologic Society
- Find an ENT American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
- National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Specifics
- Bacterial Nasal Infections Merck & Co., Inc.
- Broken Nose Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
- Deviated Septum American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
- Fibrous Papule of Nose VisualDX
- Nosebleeds American Academy of Family Physicians
- Nosebleeds American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
- Post-Nasal Drip American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
- Recurrent Respiratory Papillomatosis or Laryngeal Papillomatosis National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
- Rhinitis (Hay Fever) American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology
- Runny Nose Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research
Encyclopedia
- Broad nasal bridge Medical Encyclopedia
- Cavernous sinus thrombosis Medical Encyclopedia
- Juvenile angiofibroma Medical Encyclopedia
- Low nasal bridge Medical Encyclopedia
- Nasal corticosteroid sprays Medical Encyclopedia
- Nasal flaring Medical Encyclopedia
- Nasal mucosal biopsy Medical Encyclopedia
- Nasal septal hematoma Medical Encyclopedia
- Nonallergic rhinopathy Medical Encyclopedia
- Nose surgery – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
- Ozena Medical Encyclopedia
- Rhinophyma Medical Encyclopedia
- Rhinoplasty Medical Encyclopedia
- Septoplasty Medical Encyclopedia
- Septoplasty – discharge Medical Encyclopedia
- Sinus CT scan Medical Encyclopedia
- Sinus MRI scan Medical Encyclopedia
- Sneezing Medical Encyclopedia
- Turbinate surgery Medical Encyclopedia
Patient Handouts
- Choanal atresia Medical Encyclopedia
- Foreign body in the nose Medical Encyclopedia
- Nasal endoscopy Medical Encyclopedia
- Nasal fracture – aftercare Medical Encyclopedia
- Nasal polyps Medical Encyclopedia
- Nose fracture Medical Encyclopedia
- Nosebleed Medical Encyclopedia
- Stuffy or runny nose – adult Medical Encyclopedia
- Stuffy or runny nose – children Medical Encyclopedia
Children
- Chronic Nosebleeds: What to Do American Academy of Pediatrics
- Nosebleeds Nemours Foundation
- Nosebleeds (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
- What Makes Me Sneeze? Nemours Foundation
- What’s a Booger? Nemours Foundation
- Why Does My Nose Run? Nemours Foundation
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Epistaxis National Institutes of Health
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Nose Diseases National Institutes of Health
Treatments and Therapies
- How to Use Nasal Pump Sprays American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
- How to Use Nose Drops American Society of Health-System Pharmacists
- Nasal Surgery: Fixing Form and Function American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery
- Septoplasty – series — Normal anatomy Medical Encyclopedia
Diagnosis and Tests
- Panoramic Dental X-Ray Radiological Society of North America
Related Issues
- Petroleum Jelly: Safe for a Dry Nose? Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research