Can Picking Your Nose Shortly After a Rhinoplasty (1 Week) Increase Swelling?

I understand after a Rhinoplasty, the inside of your nose can be filled with crust and debris.  I can be an uncomfortable feeling.  All rhinoplasty specialist give their patients specific post-op instruction on how to clean their nose.  This cleaning is not only to insure the nose will heal the best, but also make the recovery as comfortable as possible.  (remove the debris and crusts)  

It is unlikely that light nose picking at this time will have any effect on the long-term result of your surgery or increase your swelling.  During a rhinoplasty, the nose is constructed with a strong foundation that cannot be disrupted by light nose picking.  If you nose was stuck or hit then it has a greater chance of affecting the long-term results.

 I always tell my patients and would encourage you to call your doctor with any concerns.  The doctor will be happy to see you and during the appointment/call he or she will answer your questions.  This will calm your nerves, enable you to relax, and allow the doctor to evaluate your nose.  

 

I hope this helps!

Dear Sean,

Nose picking could be a serious issue depending on its intensity especially at 1 week post-op;"gentle" nose picking may be fine down that line.

That being said, I recommend that you try to have a better control over your behavior and to have your surgeon in the loop of what is happening as he/she may be able to clean your nose from bothering scab crusting.

I encourage you to follow your surgeon's instructions and to protect your nose from any possible trauma also.

Thank you for your post and the best of luck to you.

Dr. Sajjadian

Shortly after any operation, because the capillaries are leaky, trauma to the area can cause more fluid to leave the capillaries and enter the tissue--more swelling. 

I usually recommend to my patients to use a q-tip gently after coming out of the shower for the first few weeks. Picking is not recommended and certainly blowing the nose is avoided to minimize bleeding.

It's unlikely that light picking will jeopardize your rhinoplasty results. If you get too aggressive you may detach some of the sutures or cause an infection. The best plan would be to perform saline rinses to loosen up the crusting on the inside of the nose which will clean the nasal cavities and lessen the urge to pick.