Will the nose become larger if the nasal concha is hypertrophic?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on March 21, 2025
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Nasal turbinate hypertrophy is a relatively common otolaryngological condition. This condition mainly involves the growth and thickening of the tissue in the lower or middle nasal concha inside the nasal cavity. However, it does not affect the overall appearance of the nose; there are no obvious changes or deformities, nor significant enlargement. Symptoms of nasal turbinate hypertrophy may include nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headache, and dizziness. Upon experiencing these symptoms, it is necessary to visit an otolaryngologist for a nasopharyngoscope examination to assess the extent of the inflammatory response. In terms of treatment, most patients may consider using nasal spray medication and oral medication, while a small portion of patients might need to consider surgical treatment.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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How to determine if the nasal turbinates are enlarged

The diagnosis of turbinate hypertrophy first requires a visit to an otolaryngologist, where the doctor can examine the specific condition of the nasal conchae, along with considering clinical symptoms. Generally, turbinate hypertrophy might be accompanied by nasal congestion, a runny nose, and can also lead to headaches, dizziness, and a reduced sense of smell. Moreover, the more severe the enlargement of the turbinates, the heavier the clinical symptoms might be. In terms of treatment, most patients can opt for conservative medication; common treatments include oral medications and nasal sprays, and rinsing the nasal cavity with saline solution. During the treatment process, regular follow-up checks are necessary to observe the effects. A small number of patients who do not respond well to medication may need to consider surgery. (Please follow medical advice regarding medications.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Symptoms of turbinate hypertrophy

Turbinate hypertrophy is a relatively common disease, with significant individual differences in symptoms. Some patients simply have hypertrophy without obvious clinical manifestations, and it is only discovered during physical examinations or nasopharyngoscopy; Some patients may develop corresponding clinical symptoms, the most common being nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, snoring during sleep, and a foreign body sensation in the nasal cavity. In such cases, it is necessary to perform a sinus CT and nasopharyngoscopy to assess the severity of the condition. Generally, treatment options include oral medications and nasal sprays. Additionally, rinsing the nasal cavity with saline and regular follow-up observations to assess effectiveness are recommended.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can you smoke with hypertrophic turbinates?

Patients with enlarged nasal turbinates are advised not to smoke, as cigarettes contain a variety of chemicals that can directly irritate the nasal mucosa and turbinate tissue, potentially exacerbating the condition of turbinate hypertrophy. Smoking may also cause acute rhinitis and acute sinusitis, which could worsen the existing condition. Patients with enlarged nasal turbinates should seek medical attention from an otolaryngologist after the onset of symptoms, and may undergo nasal endoscopy and sinus CT scans to assess the severity of their condition. Typically, treatment options include oral medications and nasal spray medications, but surgical treatment may need to be considered for a small number of patients who do not respond well to medication. (Please follow medical advice regarding medications.)

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Is surgery necessary for enlarged nasal turbinates?

Patients with enlarged turbinates do not necessarily need surgical treatment. The causes of turbinate hypertrophy are mainly related to long-term smoking and drinking, catching colds, as well as allergic rhinitis and chronic rhinitis. Patients experience turbinate growth, which affects nasal ventilation. Some patients may suffer from alternating nasal congestion, and in cases of significant enlargement, such as snoring and air holding during sleep at night, or complete nasal ventilation obstruction, surgical methods such as turbinate ablation or inferior turbinate fracture and outward movement surgery may be necessary to expand the nasal airflow. For general turbinate hypertrophy, patients can use hormone-based nasal sprays to relieve nasal mucosa swelling and thickening. (The use of medication should be under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can hypertrophic turbinates be treated with erythromycin?

Hypertrophy of the nasal turbinate is a relatively common otolaryngology disease. It is not recommended to use erythromycin ointment because erythromycin ointment does not have a therapeutic effect on nasal turbinate hypertrophy and it may cause side effects. For patients with hypertrophic nasal turbinates, it is advised to visit an otolaryngologist after the onset of symptoms. Routine blood tests and nasal endoscopy can be performed to assess the severity of the condition. If it is simply hypertrophy of the nasal turbinate without significant clinical symptoms, observation and nasal irrigation with saline solution can be considered. If there are symptoms like nasal congestion and a runny nose, oral medications combined with nasal spray treatments can be considered. Regular follow-up visits during the treatment process are necessary to observe the effects.