What could this swelling on one side of the nose be and what treatment would rectify this? (Photo)

Thank you for your query. You do have some asymmetry of the nose and a deviated nasal septum. These can both be treated with a septo-rhinoplasty. In addition, the soft tissue asymmetry can be improved with fillers or autologous fat. Use of 3- D photography and morphing can be very helpful in assessment. Please find an experienced board certified Plastic surgeon who can examine you and help you with all your concerns. All the best!

All people have facial asymmetry. Some people have more than others, but 100% of people have asymmetric faces. Most facial asymmetry is based on bone structure. During embryological development, the two sides of the face develop independently from each other, and eventually fused in the midline. Because most facial asymmetry is based on bone structure, soft tissue treatment typically don’t fix the problem, and simply create a secondary asymmetry.
If you weren’t a formal craniofacial assessment, then you should probably talk to either plastic surgeons with craniofacial surgical fellowship training, or oral surgeons who do complex mid face reconstruction.
My best recommendation is to except facial asymmetry, as being normal and part of everybody’s anatomic features. The rest of the body is highly asymmetrical as well with all internal organs typically being on the left or right.
Best,
Mats Hagstrom, MD