Does rhinoplasty cause allergies?

   Rhinoplasty can alter breathing, but allergies are mediated by an individual's immune response.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Thank you for your question. Neither septoplasty nor rhinoplasty can cause new allergies. If you have baseline allergies or mucosal inflammation due to other medical problems, having any nasal surgery can exaggerate symptoms during the recovery period. However after recovery, it should return to baseline.

It would be helpful to know where you heard this information. I have not personally come across this in training, practice or in working with other very experienced rhinoplasty surgeons. A more likely cause of congestion is having an overly aggressive rhinoplasty that removes too much of the nasal structure resulting in collapse of the nose and impaired breathing. This is unrelated to allergies. I hope this information is helpful for you.Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

Surgery on the nose does not cause allergies. Damage to the internal nasal valve can cause postoperative breathing difficulties but this is a mechanical issue not an allergic issue.

Rhinoplasty surgery won´t give you allergies. The nose normally cycles from side to side and you´re most likely experiencing that sensation. It's possible that your surgery has caused some redirecting of airflow which would be triggering it more. That will usually stop with time. Using a saline lubrication may be helpful.

Patients who have allergies pre-operatively will still have allergies. Nasal surgery does not produce new allergies.Robert singer, MD  FACSLa jolla, California

Allergies are mediated by receptor and chemical in the cells and in the blood. There is no evidence that nasal surgery causes new allergies.

Dear Poppoppy, I have noticed you have many posts that I have answered and some of your information is not correct. I am not sure where your information is coming from so I highly recommend a consultation and examination to help answer your many questions correctly. A consultation with an expert in the field will help you to receive proper education on the surgical questions you have regarding septoplasty and rhinoplasty and this will later help you make an informed decision on surgery based upon facts versus hearsay. Best regards, Michael V. Elam, M.D.