Can nasal polyps be seen with the naked eye?

Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
Updated on March 17, 2025
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Nasal polyps are a relatively common otolaryngological disease with a high incidence rate clinically. The symptoms are numerous and may include nasal congestion, runny nose, reduced sense of smell, headache, and dizziness. For some patients, the polyps can be seen with the naked eye during examination, especially if there are many polyps or if they are located near the front of the nose. Generally, after using an anterior rhinoscope to widen the nostrils, the polyps can be seen. However, in some cases, the polyps grow in hidden areas, such as in the olfactory region or within the sinuses, making them difficult to detect with the naked eye. In such cases, a nasopharyngoscopy or sinus CT scan can be performed for more accurate diagnosis.

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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 Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Do nasal polyps need surgery?

Some nasal polyps require surgery, mainly due to the extensive area they cover. For instance, if the nasal polyps have invaded the nasal cavity, middle nasal meatus, and lower nasal meatus, they can cause corresponding clinical symptoms. These symptoms include repeated nasal congestion, thick nasal discharge, reduced sense of smell, headache, dizziness, snoring during sleep, and mouth breathing. When there are many nasal polyps, conservative treatment usually does not yield particularly good results, therefore, surgical removal must be considered. Currently, the main surgical approach is minimally invasive endoscopic nasal polyp removal. Generally, this type of surgery causes minimal harm, has a quicker recovery time, and the overall outcomes are quite clear.

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Written by Xu Qing Tian
Otolaryngology
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Do nasal polyps have to be surgically removed?

Nasal polyps are common in otolaryngology and frequently recurring. If a patient with nasal polyps does not exhibit significant symptoms, they can be managed with observation and the targeted use of local anti-inflammatory medications to reduce the growth and enlargement of the polyps. If the patient experiences significant symptoms such as bilateral nasal obstruction, pus discharge, or headaches linked to the condition, surgery should be considered. Functional endoscopic sinus surgery can be performed under video guidance to thoroughly remove the affected mucosa and polypoid tissue in the nasal cavity, thereby curing the patient. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Zhang Jun
Otolaryngology
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Is minimally invasive surgery for nasal polyps painful?

Nasal polyp surgery is performed using endoscopic nasal polypectomy and sinusotomy. It is a minimally invasive surgery that requires general anesthesia and is painless. The cause of nasal polyps is unclear, generally, they are due to repeated chronic inflammation, which can cause diffuse congestion, edema, hyperplasia, and prolapse of the nasal turbinate mucosa. They are also often secondary to allergic rhinitis. Nasal polyps usually occur bilaterally and cause persistent nasal congestion that progressively worsens. During an endoscopic examination, pale, lychee-like fresh tumors can be seen in the nasal cavity, which are soft and painless. In terms of treatment, medication is ineffective for nasal polyps; patients need to undergo local surgical treatment for cure.

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Written by Li Rui
Otolaryngology
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Where is a good place to massage for nasal polyps to get better quickly?

Massage therapy is generally ineffective for treating nasal polyps, so no matter what type of massage is used, it is unlikely to have a notably positive effect on the treatment and recovery of nasal polyps. Currently, there are primarily two treatment options to consider: conservative treatment and surgical removal. If the polyps are numerous and widespread, and conservative treatment proves ineffective, then surgical removal, particularly minimally invasive surgery performed with an endoscope, should be considered. This type of surgery generally causes minimal damage and allows for a relatively quick recovery, with fairly definitive therapeutic outcomes. If the nasal polyps are small and localized, treatment usually starts with nasal sprays and oral medications, but regular check-ups are necessary to monitor for any changes.