Is my septum severely deviated? What's wrong with my nose? (Photo)

Question

I recently started noticing that my nostrils look completely different from the other. In the left one I can't really see straight up into it and there's more cartilage/skin and the right one I can see completely inside of it and there's way less cartlidge. Is my septum deviated? Is the tissue damaged. I never really noticed til now and it's starting to bother me

Miguel Mascaro, MD · Answer

Thank you for your pictures - they really do show what is concerning you.  When addressing a septal deviation, you have to understand that there are a couple of different parts to the nasal septum that can affect both function (how the nose works) as well as cosmesis (how the nose looks).  The front part of the septum (which is where your concern lies) is flanked by support for your nasal tip and sits on a make-shift "pitcher's mound" of bone called the nasal spine.  If there is any deflection from one side to the other, you can have what you see in your picture.  That being said, that is a very simplistic answer - and to be more accurate you really do need a physical exam in order to assess that frontal septum and the rest of the structure.  That being said, often times there is no deviation and it is a normal variant.  There certainly is no "tissue damage" that you need to worry about.  When in doubt, the best advice is always to go seek an in person evaluation.  That way you can get a much more detailed answer .  Best of luck.  I hope some of this helps!

Aric K. Park, MD · Answer

The end of your septum may be jutting out slightly into the left nostril. If this is not causing you blockage in your breathing then it does not need to be addressed. Often this "spur" sticking into your nostril can be from trauma, underlying asymmetry to the bone, or from a long septum that "grows" into the nostril as you are developing. If there are no symptoms to it, I recommend you ignore it as only small children and big dogs will be looking at that view of your nostrils.

Is my septum severely deviated? What's wrong with my nose? (Photo)

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Is my septum severely deviated? What's wrong with my nose? (Photo)

Answers (2)

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