Can I Pick my Nose After Rhinoplasty?

Question

There is a lot of dried mucus in my nasal cavity that makes it difficult to breathe and is actually quite itchy. It's 14 days post op... Can I pick my nose now?

Michael A. Persky, MD · Answer

Hi K,

	You should speak with your rhinoplasty surgeon and/or the office staff.  You can pick your friends, but not your family or nose.  We have our patients use cotton soaked in hydrogen peroxide at the opening of the nostrils only.  Your surgeon should "clean" your nose at your post-op visit.  By two weeks after surgery we let our patients use normal saline/Alkalol rinses.  Do check with your surgeon.  Enjoy your new nose.  Good luck and be well.

	Dr. P

Ronald Schuster, MD · Answer

Probably best not to be picking right now. Saline nasal sprays frequently, using a facial humidifier and cleaning gently with a Q-tip dipped in peroxide should work.

David C. Pearson, MD · Answer

For my rhinoplasty patients who are two weeks post op, I usually recommend that they clean any crusts or scabs by simply spraying a saline with glycerin nose spray frequently to soften the crusts. The key is the glycerin but most saline nasal sprays don't have it. A couple brand names to look for include Pretz and Ayr No-Drip (I have no financial or other interest in these...they're just good products). They can then blow the crusts from the nose easily, but I don't want them picking in the nose--if they must--for at least six weeks after surgery. The warm steam in the shower can also help loosen up stubborn crusts.

	 

	All the best,

	 

	--DCP

	Pearson Facial Plastic Surgery

Todd C. Miller, MD · Answer

I would avoid picking your nose. It is much more effective to thoroughly rinse your nose with saline nasal rinses 2-3 times per day to keep the nose clean and free of crusting. I would make sure that you are following up with your surgeon to ensure that you are healing normally.

Stuart B. Kincaid, MD, FACS (in memoriam) · Answer

It would better for you not to pick your nose but to spray saline water and let it flow out... You do not want to disrupt anything since your surgery was only 14 days ago.

Can I Pick my Nose After Rhinoplasty?

Answers (5)

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