Can a Nose Get More Swollen After Steroid Injections?

The early swelling you may experience after a steroid injection to the nose is short term and due to the volume of the injection and swelling

Dear Jack,

Steroid injections are sometimes used to try and reduce swelling in the post-operative phase after rhinoplasty. Care should be taken to inject the steroid at the proper depth and in the proper location to avoid complications such as skin thinning. 

It is common to have a little bit of swelling which can last for 3-5 days after the injection, but in the following weeks, the swelling in the area usually improves dramatically. These injections are often repeated at a six week interval and can help decrease swelling, particularly for patients with thick skin.

Best wishes,

Dr. Jamil Asaria

FACE Cosmetic Surgery, Toronto, Canada

After a steroid injection into your nose you may notice that the nose is more full in the area that steroids were injected. This is normal as the medication comes in a suspension and a certain amount of fluid is injected into your nose. Until this fluid dissipates, the nose will look more full in the area of injection.  In addition, introducing a needle into the area also causes focal swelling. Usually this goes away in a couple of hours and you should see results from the injection within a few days if not sooner.