Rhinoplasty allergies

Nasal Allergies and Rhinoplasty

Nasal allergies can affect the way the nose interacts with the environment. In cases of long standing allergies, the turbinates can become enlarged.

In addition, allergic rhinitis patients tend to have more swelling internally and externally than non allergy patients.

In my practice, we have found that addressing both the physical changes caused by nasal allergies including turbinate hypertrophy as well as the physiology of the nose have helped with overall swelling, including internal and external. (Anil R. Shah, MD, Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon)

Rhinoplasty has no affect on Nasal allergies

While rhinoplasty, a cosmetic surgery, does not have an effect on your nasal allergies, it may have an affect on your breathing.

Because patients who have allergies often have problems with nasal breathing it is imperative that you see a physician trained in ear nose and throat medicine in order to assure you the best functional component to your rhinoplasty surgery.

Fixing the nasal septum is often an integral part of a nasal surgery. If you have problems with breathing and are contemplating having a rhinoplasty make sure you are evaluated by a nasal surgeon with experience in treating both problems.

If you do not do this you may find that you have a good looking nose that does not function well. (Carlos Wolf, MD, Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon)

Rhinitis won’t affect rhinoplasty, but rhinoplasty may affect your allergic rhinitis

Rhinoplasty allergies photos

Many people suffer from allergic rhinitis. Allergic rhinitis does not directly affect rhinoplasty. It does not affect the result or create complications. On the other hand, a rhinoplasty MAY make your allergies better. Even though this is not an indication to do a rhinoplasty, I find that many of my patients have an anatomic deformity such as a deviated septum or valve collapse.

When the anatomic abnormality is repaired with the rhinoplasty, it makes the allergic rhinitis better. Patients say that their allergic symptoms are more limited and bother them less frequently. I do not guarantee that a rhinoplasty will make the allergies go away. I tell my patients that they may have to take allergy medications after rhinoplasty surgery, but usually their symptoms are far improved. (Raghu Athre, MD, Houston Facial Plastic Surgeon)

Allergies should not affect the outcome of rhinoplasty

Nose job allergies

Nasal allergies will not affect the surgery or outcome for the cosmetic portion of your rhinoplasty. In other words, changes to the size and shape of your nose will not be affected or limited.

However, functional changes to your nasal breathing may be impacted. If not done properly, rhinoplasty can have an adverse effect on nasal breathing, especially when coupled with preexisting allergy. It is important for your surgeon to address and nasal valve collapse, septal deflections, and turbinate enlargements.

The turbinates are especially important because they often become swollen with chronic allergy. After surgery, it may be more important for you to use decongestants and saline to keep the swelling inside the nose down and wash away crusts and allergens. Nasal allergies should not prevent you from getting the result you are seeking. (Anand D. Patel, MD, Brookfield Facial Plastic Surgeon)

Rhinoplasty nose job allergies

Allergies and rhinoplasty

Nasal allergies don’t limit what can be done with your rhinoplasty. Addressing overgrown turbinates may be indicated during your procedure, however.

It is important to realize that surgery in and of itself will not cure your allergies. You’ll still need to take allergy medication to treat this.

This is usually done with a steroid nasal spray and/or antihistamine. Surgery may help with removing any structural impediments to your airway, which would help with any chronic congestion. (Thomas A. Lamperti, MD, Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon)

Allergies do not affect rhinoplasty technique

A person with severe nasal allergies may have nasal obstruction due to the tissues in the nose becoming swollen.

If the nasal septal bone, a bone in the middle of the nose was crooked before surgery and is straightened, the breathing may improve.

The surgery is performed based on the goals to be accomplished, not the degree of nasal allergy. (Robert Mounsey, MD, Miami Plastic Surgeon)

Nasal allergies won’t affect the outcome

Nasal allergies (allergic rhinitis) won’t affect your rhinoplasty outcome. However they can cause your post operative recovery to be more miserable.

Also if you are having functional surgery (septoplasty) to improve your breathing, then your allergies can limit the improvement, even with completely successful surgery.

This is because surgery doesn’t influence the allergic response, so you will continue to need to use medical therapy as before. (Oakley Smith, MD, San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon)

Nasal Allergies and Rhinoplasty

It is unlikely that your allergies are going to influence the surgical technique used for your rhinoplasty procedure. That is assuming that you have been thoroughly evaluated for allergies and have been treated properly.

This would include treatment with antihistamines and/or nasal steroid sprays leading up to your surgery. This would minimize the impact the allergies would have on internal lining of the nose during and immediately after surgery.

If you were not properly treated there may be more congestion on top of what you might get from the rhinoplasty surgery. You would also want to make sure you open your mouth with sneezing after rhinoplasty, thereby minimizing chances of traumatic nose bleeding in the early recovery period.

Long term results of your rhinoplasty should not be much of a concern. (John M. Hilinski, MD, Manhattan Plastic Surgeon)

Nasal allergies do not effect rhinoplasty surgery

Nasal allergies do not effect rhinoplasty surgery; however, during the operation, steroids can be injected into the allergy receptors inside the nose. My experience is that doing so stops allergic sneezing for a year or more. (Howard T. Bellin, MD (retired))

Allergies will not affect surgery outcome

Nasal allergies may flare up during the recovery period, making the nose more congested. There are a number of treatment options, the best being topical nasal steroids, which will help the congestion.

If sneezing after a rhinoplasty make sure to keep your mouth open! Also don’t blow your nose in the first 2 weeks after rhinoplasty! (Sam Naficy, MD, Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon)