Nasal polyps 

Introduction 

Nasal polyps are swellings of the normal nasal lining that occur inside the nasal passages and sinuses (air-filled spaces behind the nose, eyes and cheeks).

They are typically pearly in colour and can vary in size. Each polyp is teardrop-shaped, and can look like a grape when fully grown.

You may not always know if you have nasal polyps because they can be difficult to see and don't always cause any symptoms.

What problems can they cause?

Nasal polyps usually only cause problems if they are large or grow in clusters.

Symptoms can include:

• a blocked nose, which can make it difficult to breathe through your nose
• a runny nose
• mucus that drips from the back of your nose down your throat (post-nasal drip)
• a reduced sense of smell or taste
• a feeling of fullness or pressure in the face
• snoring
• obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) – your airways become temporarily blocked while you're asleep, which can disturb your sleep

If polyps block your sinuses, they can cause a build-up of fluid that may become infected (sinusitis). If this happens, you may have facial pain, toothache and a high temperature (fever).

When to see your GP

The symptoms of nasal polyps can be very similar to those of more common conditions, such as a cold. However, colds tend to clear up within a few days, whereas nasal polyps usually won't get better unless they're treated.

You should see your GP if you have nasal symptoms that last a month or more.

What causes nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps are thought to develop as a result of inflammation of the lining of the nasal passages and sinuses. The lining becomes increasingly swollen and then hangs down.

It's unclear exactly what triggers this inflammation, although certain things can increase your risk of developing nasal polyps, including:

• asthma – 20-40% of people with nasal polyps also have asthma
• aspirin intolerance – allergy-like symptoms, such as a watery nose, occur if you take aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen

Nasal polyps usually affect adults and are more common in men than women. They're rare in children.

Diagnosing nasal polyps

Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and examine the inside of your nose.

Further tests carried out at the ear, nose and throat (ENT) department of your local hospital will often be needed to confirm polyps and to determine how large they are and how many you have.

This will usually involve an endoscopy (where a small tube with a camera at one end is inserted up your nostril) or a computerised tomography (CT) scan.

Treating nasal polyps

Nasal polyps can be difficult to get rid of permanently, but steroid medication can often help shrink them, and surgery to remove them can be carried out if medication doesn't help.

The main treatments are:

• corticosteroid nose drops or nasal sprays to shrink the polyps over a number of weeks or months
• corticosteroid tablets to shrink larger or more troublesome polyps quickly, although they're not usually used for more than 10 days because of the risk of side effects
• surgery to remove large or persistent polyps using tiny surgical instruments inserted up your nostrils

As polyps can grow back after treatment, including after surgery, you will usually be advised to continue using corticosteroid nasal sprays to help stop them returning quickly.

Read more about how nasal polyps are treated.