Why is my nose swollen? What can you do about swollen nose on the bridge, tip or piercing? Continue reading to learn more on cause, tip, and nose bridge that is swollen. You will also find out what causes swollen nose during pregnancy.
Swollen Nose Causes
There are numerous causes of swollen nose. The most obvious cause is nose injury or blow e.g. when hit by a hard object. This results in rupturing of nasal membranes and blood may flow into the nasal cavity. The damaged membranes coupled with the pressure from the bleeding can culminate into a nose that is swollen.
A nose that is swollen can also be a post-operative problem after an individual has undergone a surgery. Rhinoplasty (nose job), for example, is often characterized by swelling of the nose during the healing process.
Nasal polyps are yet another common cause of nose swelling. A polyp is a tiny bump comprising of fibrous tissues. Polyps commonly occur when the skin lining the nose becomes inflamed due to infection or injury. A poly may sometimes bleed and often leads to occasional pain. Some patients also experience difficulty in breathing. Nasal polyps often clear with medication but in some cases, surgery may be required.
Another common cause of swollen nose is cocaine abuse. This happens in individuals who sniff cocaine in the powder form. This practice may damage nose tissues and membranes in the long term. This is followed by bleeding, inflammation and nasal swelling.
Seasonal nose allergies, or allergic rhinitis, can also lead to runny nose, sneezing, nasal congestion, and swelling of the nose. This can for example happen during the times of the years when the amount of pollen grain is at its highest. Some people are also allergic to dust, and pet dander and may get a nose that is swollen after getting exposed to them.
Rhinophyma, a worsened form of Rosacea which might be triggered by excessive drinking among other factors can also cause swelling of the nose in addition to other symptoms such as a red flush on the nose.
Some people also get a their nose swollen when exposed to conditions of low humidity. This can for example result from the use of air conditioning and hot-air heating systems. Low moisture levels lead to dry mucus membranes which can make them inflamed and possibly cause the nose to get swollen.
Bacterial infection can also cause your nose to sweel. This can happen inside the nose or outside. For example, bacterial infection of the nose hair follicles (folliculitis) can culminate in a swollen nose.
Sinusitis (inflammation of the sinus membranes) can also cause nose swelling.
Swollen Nose Piercing
Scared about that swollen nose piercing? Well, if you just got a nose piercing, it is expected of the piercing area to get swollen, red and tender. It is as well okay for it to bleed a little bit. After all, you just had a metallic object shoved through your delicate nasal skin.
Swelling of the nose piercing can be exacerbated by several factors such as sleeping on the piercing, changing the jewelry before the piercing has fully healed, and knocking or tugging at the jewelry accidentally.
You should however look out for signs of infection on your nose with piercings. Some of the symptoms to look out for include swollen or tender lymph glands somewhere near the piercing, fever, suddenly increased pain and heat in the pierced area, pus and an offensive odor.
Some healed nose piercings may also suddenly become swollen. If the swelling in such a nose piercing is accompanied by pus, increased heat and redness, and swollen lymph glands somewhere near the piercing, this might be an indication of bacterial infection.
If any signs of infection are present, you should consider seeking the attention of your doctor. Most such infections are caused by Staphylococcus bacteria and can be quite dangerous if not attended to. Your doctor will most likely prescribe an antibiotic to be applied either topically (cream) or taken by swallowing for around 10 to 15 days.
Swollen Nose Bridge and Swollen Nose Tip
A swollen nose bridge can indicate sinus infection especially if it is sore. If is doesn’t clear quickly you should consider seeing your doctor for evaluation. Treatment usually involves prescription of antibiotics.
It can also be an indication of an external skin ailment or infection especially if it is accompanied by a sort of redness on the skin and other signs of local irritation. It is advisable to see your doctor for evaluation immediately since infections on the face can easily be spread to the cavernous sinus in the skull base via veins of Brechette leading to potentially fatal complications.
A swollen nose bridge can also result from a trauma e.g. falling, getting hit by a football etc.
A swollen tip of the nose on the other hand can as well be a sign of bacterial infection especially if it is accompanied by redness and is painful. The follicles of the small hairs found inside the nose could be infected, a condition called folliculitis. This requires treatment with antibiotics. You should thus see your doctor immediately.
Red Swollen Nose
Red swollen nose is in most cases a sign of bacterial infections such as Erysipelas which is usually caused by streptococcus bacteria of group A. Erysipelas affects the face in about 20 percent of the cases.
Group A streptococcus bacteria finds its way into the body through small cracks in the skin. Once inside the body, they lead to painful, red, swollen bumps in the skin. The areas with redness may also blister. Patients may also experience chills, fever and malaise. Treatment of Erysipelas involves prescription of antibiotics.
It can also be a sign of folliculitis, another type of bacterial infection that affects the follicles of the nose hairs. Antibiotic is as well required to treat folliculitis.
A red swollen nose can also be a sign of vasculitis (an attack on the autoimmune system) on the nose cartilages.
Swollen Nose during Pregnancy
You have probably heard the myth that swollen nose during pregnancy is a sign that you are carrying a baby girl. This is not at all true. A nose that is swollen during pregnancy is caused by an increase in the amount of blood in your body. This often makes the tiny blood vessels in the nasal lining to swell. As a result the nose may appear swollen.
The swollen nose is however not there to stay forever; the nose will eventually attain its pre-pregnancy nose size after some time. You can’t really tell how long that will take but I can bet it is not eternity. So don’t panic.
Suggested Further Reading:
- Pimple in Nose – Causes, Meaning and Getting Rid
- Nose Twitching – Cause, Meaning, Superstition & How to Stop
- Nose Picking & How to Stop Picking Your Nose
- Nose Pain – On Nose Bridge, Inside Broken Nose Pain
- Itchy Nose – Meaning, Superstition, Myth, Relief & Runny
- Cold Sores in Nose – Causes, Pictures, Treatment and Home Remedies
- Sores in Nose that Won’t Heal – Causes & What to Do
- Scab in Nose Causes, Bloody, Painful Scabs in Nose that Won’t Go
- Swollen Nasal Passages Causes, Allergies, Treatment & Medicine
- Nose Bridge – Piercing, Sore, Painful & Surgery
- Dry Nose Symptoms, Remedies, Treatments, Dry Skin on Nose
- Causes of Redness around Nose and How to Get Rid of Redness Around Nose
