Would I be able to rub my nose vigorously after having had rhinoplasty?

Thank you for you question. Manipulation of your nose is only a concern during the acute healing time. After 6 weeks you should be fine. 

   After the first six weeks following rhinoplasty, the nose is fairly stable with scar.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Allergies can play a role in the nose.  Nasal itchiness and rhinorrhea can sometimes be improved with intranasal maneuvers.  In general, limited manipulation of the nose is acceptable 6 weeks to 6 months after a rhinoplasty procedure depending on the type of rhinoplasty performed.  Ideally, controlling your symptoms, either medically or surgically, will hopefully reduce the desire to rub your nose.

Once your nose is well-healed, rubbing is safe. This would require 6 weeks of hands-off your nose! Your nose will remain numb and firm-feeling for 6-12 months after surgery, so the numbness might reduce the itchy sensation, at least early after surgery.The problem, of course, is waiting that 6 weeks before you traumatize not-yet-durably-healed tissues!Once healed, the nose is just as strong as it was before surgery, but it can still be broken by a blow, brawl, beer bottle, bitchy broad, or baseball! Perhaps a daily non-drowsy antihistamine (Claritin, Zyrtek, Allegra, etc.) might help your allergy symptoms while allowing daily functioning without as much itching. Best wishes! Dr. Tholen

Hi.  Once the nose has healed from the type of rhinoplasty that I do, it is more structurally sound (stronger) then it was before surgery.  I use cartilage grafts to get a very nice result and support the nose very well.  I don't remove large amounts of cartilage as was done with old fashioned rhinoplasty. After a few months, you would be able to rub your nose.  Good luck.

Rubbing your nose gently after rhinoplasty is usually OK. Vigorous rubbing may be painful and not appropriate for 3-4 weeks.

Good question.The nose is fairly stable at two weeks after surgery. You wear a splint for a week so with the splint on not much to rub. After a month the nose should be solid and you can rub away.

During the first 2 weeks post-op, oral antihistamine will keep you away from the itching symptom of allergy. After 2 weeks, steroid nasal spray may be added if needed. After 6-8 weeks, you may do what you normally do with your nose before you had rhinoplasty.