Is it safe to use q-tips to clean your nose 3 months after rhinoplasty?

Question

Ever since I had my nose done the mucus build up in my nose has been pretty bad. When I blow my nose it helps a lot but I have to use q-tips to remove most of the mucus from my nose, is blowing my nose and using q-tips in my nose damaging my final results?

Jacqueline T. Cheng, MD · Answer

Hello and thanks for your question.  Keeping the airway clear after rhinoplasty can be extremely challenging.  You will not want to interfere with any packing if it is still present.  Check with your operative surgeon to see if they recommend using Q-tips.  If they approve, you will want to clean the area with extreme care so that you do not affect post-operative nasal tissues.
A saline rinse can be one of the safest ways to help clear nasal passages.  Rinsing with saline will moisten the nasal passages, allowing them to expel mucus and debris naturally.  While some surgeons will approve Q-tips and blowing the nose at three months &mdash;  or even sooner &mdash; err on the side of caution and try a rinse first.
For more details and personalized advice, talk to your operative surgeon, or contact another board-certified facial plastic surgeon in your area for a second opinion.  Good luck!
- Jacqueline T. Cheng, MD

John Layke, DO, FACS · Answer

Gentle use of Q-Tips to clean the nose is acceptable at 3 months.  The inside, as well as the outside, of your nose is still swollen and can often trap mucus.  I recommend using a saline mist to clean the inside of the nose and then blow.  As the swelling decreases, you may see an improvement in the buildup of mucus.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear postquestions,every plastic surgeon has his own postoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

Usha Rajagopal, MD · Answer

Generally it is safe to clean the nose three months after, but I would verify that with the rhinoplasty surgeon.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

In our practice, it is acceptable to use Q-tips one week after rhinoplasty clean your nose. Always best to check with your operative surgeon about what their recommendations are.

Jordan P. Sand, MD · Answer

Hi postquestion and thank you for your question.
Following surgery, the nasal tissues can be inflamed leading to increased amounts of thickened nasal mucus. This can sometimes take a while to thin out. Some treatments are available (nasal saline, etc), but I would recommend consulting with your surgeon to have them take a look and recommend therapy. Excessive cleaning with q-tips could irritate the internal nasal area, so caution is needed.
Good luck!

Robert E. Zaworski, MD (retired) · Answer

Be careful using Q tips to clean your nose.  Once the internal swelling subsides you should notices a decrease in mucus.  Saline nasal spray may help improve mucus production.

Richard W. Fleming, MD (retired) · Answer

I recommend you talk to your surgeon about the cause of excess mucous production. I would be very careful using q-tips in the nose; you can damage the tissue. Some advise that a patient not put anything smaller than their elbow in the nose.

Is it safe to use q-tips to clean your nose 3 months after rhinoplasty?

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