All About Nasal Polyps: Signs, Causes, and Finding Relief

Chronic nasal congestion. A lingering postnasal drip. A fading sense of smell. These symptoms have many causes, from allergies to sinus infections to the common cold. But when they stick around or keep coming back, it might mean you have nasal polyps. 

Nasal polyps are painless, noncancerous growths found in the lining of the nasal passage and sinus cavity. You might not realize you have them until they start interfering with your breathing, sleep, or quality of life. It’s estimated that 4 out of 10 people have nasal polyps. 

At Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology Associates in Tampa and Brandon, Florida, our team of experts wants to help you understand what nasal polyps are, what causes them, who we treat and how we treat them so you can breathe easier.

What are nasal polyps?

Nasal polyps are soft growths found inside the nose or the hollow spaces of the sinus cavity. They’re very common and affect all ages.

While their exact cause is unknown, we believe that conditions that cause chronic inflammation, such as allergies, asthma, and ongoing sinus infections, may increase the risk of developing nasal polyps. 

Low vitamin D levels and a genetic predisposition may also play a role. And, researchers are investigating whether certain genetic mutations make you more prone to nasal polyps. 

Signs of nasal polyps

Small nasal polyps may not cause any symptoms. But if they grow, they can block airflow through the nose or sinuses, causing symptoms similar to a cold or allergies.

Common symptoms include:

• Nasal congestion
• Runny nose
• Headaches
• Loss of sense of smell or taste
• Sinus pressure
• Facial pain
• Snoring

Large nasal polyps may obstruct the nasal passages and increase your risk of complications like sinus infections or sleep apnea. They may also worsen other respiratory conditions like asthma or hay fever.

If you have a “cold” that lasts more than 10 days, or symptoms come and go, it’s time to find out why. Without treatment, your symptoms won’t improve and may lead to complications like chronic sinusitis. 

Our specialists conduct thorough examinations to identify the cause of your symptoms. If we suspect you have nasal polyps, we may do a nasal endoscopy to confirm our suspicions. We may also recommend allergy testing. 

Treatment options for nasal polyps

Treatment for nasal polyps focuses on shrinking the polyps and reducing inflammation so you breathe better. 

Initially, we may recommend corticosteroid nasal spray or oral medications to reduce inflammation and improve airflow. If your polyps keep coming back, we may prescribe biologic medications that target the inflammatory pathways that lead to the growths.

When medical interventions don’t work, we may recommend surgery to remove the growths,  then prescribe corticosteroids to reduce the risk of recurrence.

Can you prevent nasal polyps?

While nasal polyps have no permanent cure, managing the conditions that cause inflammation can make a big difference. If you have asthma, allergies, or other inflammatory diseases, we recommend:

• Taking disease-specific medication as directed
• Using saline nasal spray to reduce irritation
• Avoiding irritants (smoke, strong perfumes)
• Running a humidifier when the air is too dry

Your stuffy nose and poor sense of smell may not mean you have another cold. If you're struggling to breathe through your nose, we can help. 

Call one of our offices, in South Tampa, Carrollwood, or Brandon, Florida, today or use the “Book Online button to schedule an appointment with one of our experts. We can get to the root of your symptoms and create a personalized treatment plan to help you breathe and live better.