Can nasal turbinates enlargement cause a fever?

Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
Updated on May 11, 2025
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Enlarged nasal turbinates do not cause fever. Enlarged nasal turbinates only lead to persistent nasal congestion in patients, accompanied by sensations of foreign bodies and swelling in the nasal cavity. Mucous nasal discharge can appear in the nasal cavity due to enlarged turbinates. Generally, this is caused by chronic inflammatory stimulation and chronic allergic reactions, commonly seen in clinical cases of chronic rhinitis and allergic rhinitis. A detailed examination at a hospital using an endoscopic nasal camera can reveal bilateral inferior turbinate diffuse congestion, edema, and hyperplasia, which cause persistent nasal congestion. In terms of treatment, if it is allergic rhinitis, symptomatic antiallergic treatment is needed, such as oral administration of loratadine, and the concurrent use of mometasone furoate nasal spray has good effects in reducing the size of the nasal turbinates. If it is chronic simple rhinitis, nasal nebulization can be used, and physical exercise is also necessary to restore the function of the nasal turbinate mucosa for gradual improvement.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Dangers of Enlarged Turbinates

The enlargement, mainly including our inferior turbinate, middle turbinate, and superior turbinate, with the enlargement of the inferior turbinate being the most common clinically. Enlargement of the inferior turbinate can lead to obstruction of our nasal cavity, and then affect our ventilation and sense of smell, etc. Generally speaking, turbinate enlargement has a certain impact on the function of our nasal cavity or our respiratory function. However, the harmfulness of this impact is relatively not very severe, but it does cause us a lot of discomfort, or lead to issues like snoring and hypoxia due to nasal congestion. Compared to other serious diseases, its harmfulness is relatively minor, but that does not mean it does not require treatment. If turbinate enlargement causes nasal congestion and affects breathing, active treatment is still needed.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Can hypertrophic turbinates be washed with saline?

Clinically, turbinate hypertrophy is primarily due to inflammatory diseases of the nasal cavity and sinuses, leading to congestion and edema of the nasal mucosa, thickening of the nasal mucosa, proliferation of the submucosal tissue, and even proliferation of the periosteum of the turbinate. Clinically, using saline solution to spray and clean the nasal cavity is a basic treatment for nasal inflammatory diseases, so turbinate hypertrophy can indeed be managed through the use of saline sprays. When spraying saline, care must be taken not to direct the spray at the turbinates directly, to avoid damaging the nasal mucosa. Typically, hypertonic saline is used, which helps maintain the stability of the nasal microenvironment and aids in restoring the nasal mucosa to its normal state. Generally, hypertonic saline is used, and other concentrations are not suitable.

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Is bloodletting useful for turbinate hypertrophy?

Nasal turbinate hypertrophy bleeding is ineffective; it is necessary to go to the hospital for an examination. An electronic nasal endoscopy can identify the cause of the nasal turbinate hypertrophy and symptomatic treatment can gradually improve the condition. Generally, nasal turbinate hypertrophy is caused by repeated chronic inflammatory infections and local allergic reactions. Patients may experience persistent nasal congestion in both nostrils, accompanied by foreign body sensations in the nasal cavity, swelling, facial distension, pain, headaches, and other related symptoms. First, it is necessary to have a detailed examination at the hospital including electronic nasal endoscopy, routine blood tests, skin prick tests, and allergen antibody tests for diagnosis. In terms of treatment, if it is an inflammatory infection, symptomatic anti-inflammatory treatments are needed using antibiotics; if it is a local allergy, oral antihistamines should be taken. In addition, the nasal cavity can be treated with budesonide inhalation mist to shrink the nasal turbinates and alleviate congestion symptoms.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Is the recurrence rate of nasal turbinate hypertrophy high?

The recurrence rate of turbinate hypertrophy is relatively high, and there are various causes for it, with most cases resulting from chronic rhinitis or sinusitis. After timely medical treatment, many patients' turbinate enlargement will be alleviated, and clinical symptoms will improve. However, the condition may recur after inflammation flares up again. For those with severe enlargement, if standard medical treatment is ineffective, some patients may consider undergoing turbinate reduction surgery. After surgery, regular follow-up examinations are necessary to monitor the effects of the operation. Nonetheless, some patients might still experience a recurrence of the condition after surgery. (Please use medication under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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How should nasal turbinate hypertrophy be treated?

Enlarged turbinates are just a clinical manifestation, not a disease in itself. In clinical practice, many diseases can cause enlarged turbinates, such as chronic rhinitis, deviated nasal septum, and nasal polyps. These conditions can lead to compensatory hypertrophy of the turbinates, which results in symptoms of nasal congestion. Initially, it is necessary to visit a hospital for a detailed examination with an electronic nasal endoscope to make a clear diagnosis. If the condition is due to a deviated nasal septum, septoplasty may be required. If nasal inflammation is causing the enlarged turbinates, conservative treatment should be attempted first. If conservative treatment is ineffective, bilateral partial inferior turbinectomy may be necessary. After the surgery, the patient should continue with a light diet and regular exercise to restore the function of the nasal mucosa, strengthen the body, and avoid colds to prevent recurrent hypertrophy of the turbinates.