Can Turbinate Reduction fix my reaction to an allergies?

Question

I am set to have my Septo/Rhino/Turbo in a few weeks. Right now, I am doing a little more research on a turbinate reduction. I read that it can improve breathing & help reduce snoring (I don't generally snore.) I do have really bad allergies. 3 continuous years of allergy shots did not improve them. When I have a reaction to an allergen I get intense itching inside my nose. It's really bad and I end up rubbing my nose like crazy to make it stop. Can a turbinate reduction fix the issue?

Jose Barrera, MD · Answer

The turbinates consist of fibromuscular tissue in the side walls of the nose. This tissue is very reactive to allergens. Although reduction of the turbinates can improve nasal resistance and overall breathing, it will not get rid of your environmental allergies.

Sean R. Weiss, MD, FACS · Answer

There are no surgical procedures that will rid you of the allergies.  However, often times improvement in breathing can be achieved by opening up the passages of the nose and sinuses which can become obstructed due to the inflammation and allergic response.  If medical treatment has failed to alleviate your symptoms, surgery may be something worth considering.  You will still need to take medicine to help with the symptoms of the allergies such as itching and congestion because surgery will not correct the underlying problem....your allergies.

Todd C. Miller, MD · Answer

As has been stated by preceding surgeons, the treatment algorithm for allergic rhinitis includes topical nasal steroid spray (Flonase etc.), oral antihistamines (Claritin etc.), decongestants (Sudafed etc.), avoidance of the inflammatory trigger, and allergy shots. That being said, if you have structural collapse of the nose which is creating nasal obstruction, it is very common to reduce the turbinates at the same time as the other procedures are done in order to maximize the opening in both nostrils.

Stephen Weber MD, FACS · Answer

The go to treatment options for nasal allergies is allergen avoidance, topical and oral allergy treatments and desensitization. However, there is some evidence that submucous reduction of the turbinates not only reduces their size but can reduce how much they swell in response to allergen exposure. Turbinate reduction definitely opens the airway in properly selected patients. Stephen Weber MD, FACSDenver Facial Plastic Surgeon

William Portuese, MD · Answer

Allergies are treated medically with Cortisone nasal sprays, antihistamines, decongestants, allergy testing, shots and environmental avoidance.  When medical therapy has failed, consideration for turbinate surgery can be entertained. The turbinate surgery will simply improve airflow dynamics through the nose  only after medical necessity  has been documented that there has been obstruction. If the allergies are not under good control after the surgery, the turbinate tissues can become very swollen again and block airflow.

Robert Mounsey, MD · Answer

Allergies are an immune mediated response to a certain environmental stimuli.  There is no surgery that will cure this. You may require medicine to control your allergies.  Surgery cam improve the nasal airway and maximize the breathing space.  This is where a turbinate reduction can benefit you in shrinking your turbinates and giving you relief.

Can Turbinate Reduction fix my reaction to an allergies?

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