Do nasal polyps have any harm?

Written by Li Mao Cai
Otolaryngology
Updated on April 01, 2025
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Nasal polyps are abnormal tissue structures and pathological in nature, thus posing several risks to human health. Firstly, they obstruct nasal airflow because nasal polyps block the normal respiratory and ventilation passages, causing the primary sensation of nasal congestion and difficulty in breathing through the nose. Secondly, they impair the sense of smell. Nasal polyps obstruct the nasal cavity, preventing odors from smoothly reaching the olfactory area, leading to diminished olfactory perception. Thirdly, if the nasal polyps persist for too long and grow excessively large, they can result in acute changes in the nose, the most common being a "frog-like nose." This condition makes the nose appear flattened and broad like a frog's, lying against the face which is cosmetically unappealing.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Is it safe to have a second surgery for nasal polyps?

The surgery for nasal polyps is primarily performed under general anesthesia, involving the removal of the nasal polyps and functional endoscopic sinus surgery. All surgeries carry certain risks, thus secondary surgeries for nasal polyps also entail risks. Moreover, since the initial surgery alters the normal anatomical structure of the nasal polyps and their surroundings, the difficulty of the surgery increases, thereby slightly raising the risk of a secondary procedure. The third point is that the surgery is now performed under direct endoscopic vision. Although this type of surgery carries risks—and indeed, all surgeries do—the likelihood of these risks is relatively small, so there is no need for excessive worry.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Can nasal polyps be treated with medication?

Nasal polyps can be considered for drug treatment, primarily depending on the severity of the nasal polyps. If the condition of the nasal polyps is not particularly severe, most patients can consider conservative drug treatment. Common treatments include nasal spray medications, and the nasal cavity can also be rinsed with saline. If the patient also has rhinitis or sinusitis, oral medication may need to be considered. However, during the treatment process, regular follow-up examinations are necessary to observe the treatment effects. If the effects of medication are not satisfactory and the condition of the nasal polyps is more severe, surgical removal may need to be considered. After surgery, regular follow-up examinations are still necessary to monitor the effects of the surgery.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Is nasal polyp surgery painful?

Nasal polyps are space-occupying lesions that occur in the nasal cavity and sinus cavity. After the discovery of nasal polyps, they are usually removed surgically. Currently, the surgery for nasal polyps is performed under general anesthesia using functional endoscopic sinus surgery, which involves removing the nasal polyps and opening the sinus ostia. There is no significant pain during the surgery, as it is conducted under general anesthesia. After the surgery, the nasal cavity is packed with some hemostatic materials. There is discomfort when this nasal packing material is removed on the second day after the surgery, but this discomfort is only significant during the removal and subsides afterward. Therefore, there is some pain associated with nasal polyp surgery, but the pain is not very severe.

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Written by Deng Bang Yu
Otolaryngology
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Which nasal polyp spray is effective?

Nasal polyps are benign neoplasms in the nasal area, clinically manifesting as semi-opaque, lychee-shaped neoplasms. The main clinical treatment for nasal polyps includes comprehensive treatment primarily focused on surgery. In the early stages of nasal polyps, nasal sprays can be administered for treatment, primarily involving corticosteroid nasal hormones such as mometasone furoate nasal spray and fluticasone propionate nasal spray, among other nasal medications. These medications are all nasal corticosteroid hormones, and their effects are more or less the same. Clinically, no one medication is particularly more effective than another, so any of these treatments can be chosen. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Are nasal polyps serious?

Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngologic disease, and for the most part, most patients are not too serious; only a small number of patients have more severe nasal polyps with more obvious symptoms. In terms of treatment, if the nasal polyps are few and the clinical symptoms are not particularly pronounced, conservative medical treatment can be considered. Commonly used are corticosteroid nasal sprays, and physiological saline can be used to rinse the nasal cavity to help improve clinical symptoms; if there are many nasal polyps and the clinical symptoms are very pronounced, and standard medication treatment is ineffective, surgery may be considered. A common procedure is endoscopic nasal polyp removal. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor according to specific circumstances.)