Can I Pick my Nose After Rhinoplasty?

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

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.

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