Itchy & Burning Nose Two Weeks After Rhinoplasty, Do I Have an Infection?

Question

Its been 2 weeks after I got rhinoplasty , everything was going good until yesterday I started with itching & a burning feeling inside my nose, is it normal ? Or do I have an infection ?

Babak Azizzadeh, MD · Answer

It's important to make sure that you are not getting any irritation from antibiotic ointment. Sometimes, allergic reactions can be developed. It's best to see your surgeon.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

This could be any number of things including normal healing, but only an exam will sort this out.  Kenneth Hughes, MD Los Angeles, CA

Evan Ransom, MD, FACS · Answer

Thanks for the great question. Signs of infection would be redness, pain, increased drainage from the area, and fever. Some itching is a normal part of healing, and may be related to dryness on the inside of the nose or the nerve endings "waking up". For the former, I have my patients use a little bit of saline nasal spray 3 or 4 times a day. The latter will resolve on its own after a couple more weeks.

Michael Sundine, MD, FACS · Answer

Itching is a normal sensation as wounds heal. I would expect this to improve. The burning sensation may be some nerve regeneration but it would seem early for this to occur. Please follow up with your surgeon to make sure that there is nothing else going on.

Itchy & Burning Nose Two Weeks After Rhinoplasty, Do I Have an Infection?

Answers (4)