It’s been known for many years that cocaine abuse is very hard on the nose and can even create a hole in the septum, that thin wall of bone and cartilage in the middle of the nose separating your two nostrils. (The cartilage is in the front of the nose, the bone at the back.)
Often there are often no symptoms when a perforation happens to the nasal septum. Plus, other things – blows to the nose, infections, chemical inhalants and a handful of diseases can also cause a perforation in the septum. Too liberal and frequent doses of nasal decongestants like Afrin may also create a hole.
But here’s a dead bang give-away clue: your nose may whistle as you breath in. Yes, whistle.
Unfortunately, things can get complicated from there. The septum actually consists of three layers, so all three layers have a hole. Repair by patching with other bodily tissues can be difficult.
Writing in an issue of Medscape, Belachew Tessema, MD, an assistant clinical professor in the division of Otolaryngology at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine, estimates that about 40 percent of holes in the septum are caused during nose surgery, presumably for rhinoplasty or the procedures that take place farther up in the nose, including:
- Deviated septum surgery
- Turbinate reduction surgery
- Sinus surgery
In addition to nasal whistling, those who have a hole in the septum may notice nose crusting, nosebleeds, runny nose as well as difficulty breathing, pain and post-nasal discharge.
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The above photo shows a hole, extreme left, in a patient’s septum
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Left untreated, the hole can become larger and even lead to the collapse of the nose.
(Read the nose surgery article.)
So it’s extremely important to get the septum hole evaluated by an ear, nose and throat specialist. (Medically, an otolaryngologist.)
(Read the qualifications of a top Beverly Hills cosmetic surgeon and otolaryngologist.)
Early, conservative treatment usually involves:
- Nasal irrigation
- Nasal moisturizers and humidification
But the most common treatment is a button made of two pieces of silicone plastic that snap together.
However, the buttons can be dislodged while about 10 percent of patients never get used to the buttons….even if the nasal whistling stops.