Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsSymptomsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentFrequently Asked QuestionsNext in Nasal Polyps GuideSigns and Symptoms of Nasal Polyps

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Symptoms

Causes

Diagnosis

Treatment

Frequently Asked Questions

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Nasal polyps are growths that result from inflamed mucous membranes in the sinuses and nasal passages. They can extend to the opening of the nostrils or even down to the throat area and can block the nasal passages, causingcongestion, headaches, and loss of smell, among other things.

Nasal polyps are often related to other chronic diseases and tend to last for long periods of time. They can even grow back after medical treatments or surgical removal.

A person suffering from nasal discomfort and a list of symptoms of nasal polyps in allergies and asthma.

Nasal Polyp Symptoms

The majority of people with nasal polyps will experience nasal congestion, which may be severe and might not improve with standard allergy medications.

Othercommon symptomsinclude:

Nasal polyps vary in size, and small polyps may not cause symptoms. Larger polyps may block the nasal passages, cause symptoms, and lead to a sinus infection.

A person with severe nasal polyps may actually be able to see the polyps in their nostrils. They are a glistening translucent gray color, resembling clumps of clear gelatin.

Long-standing nasal polyps can lead to widening of the nasal bridge, which can make the eyes appear to be farther apart.

Nasal polyps can occur with other respiratory diseases, such as:

Nasal polyps can also be a sign ofimmunodeficienciesor autoimmune disorders, such as primary ciliary dyskinesia and eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA).

Sometimes, aCT scan(“cat scan”) of the sinuses is needed to make a diagnosis.The sinus CT scan allows for better characterization of the extent of disease, especially in sinuses that cannot be reached through endoscopy.

Since other diseases are often present when a person has nasal polyps, further diagnostic tests may need to be performed.

Nasal polyps may be treated with surgical ormedical therapies.

In severe cases, or when medication is ineffective,sinus surgeryis often required to remove large nasal polyps that lead to recurrentsinus infections. With an endoscopic procedure, which uses a long lighted tube inserted into the nostril, you can usually go home the same day.

It’s important to note that even after successful surgery, polyps may recur.

Nasal Steroid Sprays and Drops

Topical nasal steroid sprays, such as Flonase (fluticasone propionate) and Nasonex (mometasone furoate), can help reduce the size of nasal polyps and prevent polyps from growing back after surgery.

Some healthcare providers use nasal steroid drops rather than sprays in order to better penetrate the nasal passages and reach the nasal polyps.

Corticosteroids

Oral corticosteroids, such as prednisone, can quickly shrink the size of nasal polyps and are helpful for people who have severe symptoms.

After a short course of corticosteroids (about one to two weeks), however, topical nasal steroid sprays are usually able to control symptoms better and prevent the polyps from growing larger.

In some cases, such as when fungal sinusitis is the cause of nasal polyps, low-dose oral corticosteroids may be required for weeks to months after surgery in order to prevent polyps from growing back.

Antileukotriene Medications

Oral antileukotriene medications, such as Singulair (montelukast), may be prescribed for people who have nasal polyps.

Nasal Saline Irrigation

Nasal saline irrigationcan be especially helpful for people with nasal polyps and chronic sinus infections. This is especially true if you’ve had sinus surgery, as saline can rinse out the sinuses and not just the nasal passages.

Allergy Shots

Some allergists useallergy shotsin an attempt to treat or prevent nasal polyps from growing back after surgery.

Some data support the use of allergy shots in those with allergic fungal sinusitis.

Antibiotics

These may be prescribed in cases of sinus infection.

Biologics

In 2019, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Dupixent (dupilumab) for treatment of rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps.

Dupilumab is a monoclonal antibody initially approved for treatment of dermatitis and asthma, but the drug also targets inflammation that may cause polyps.

Studies have found polyp patients treated with dupilumab enjoyed reduced polyp size and severity of symptoms, and the drug was well tolerated.Your healthcare provider will know if dupilumab is appropriate for you.

Xolair (omalizumab) and Nucala (mepolizumab) are two other monoclonal antibodies that have been approved for the treatment of nasal polyps. Additional therapies are being evaluated for safety and efficacy in treating nasal polyposis and may be available in the future.

Know that even if polyps are successfully eliminated, loss of smell or taste does not always improve following treatment with medicine or surgery.

Nasal polyps will not go away on their own. Left untreated, they will continue to cause symptoms. Polyps can grow and block nasal passages. This can cause symptoms to worsen and lead to recurring sinus infections.Polyps can be treated with oral medications, nasal sprays, and, in some cases, surgery to remove the growths.

Nasal polyps will not go away on their own. Left untreated, they will continue to cause symptoms. Polyps can grow and block nasal passages. This can cause symptoms to worsen and lead to recurring sinus infections.

Polyps can be treated with oral medications, nasal sprays, and, in some cases, surgery to remove the growths.

Typically no. The majority of nasal polyps are benign (noncancerous) growths in the nose and sinus cavity mucous membranes. If a growth in your nose looks suspicious, your healthcare provider will send you for further testing. Most of the time, however, nasal polyps are not a sign of cancer.

4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Nasal Polyps.National Institutes of Health. MedlinePlus.Nasal Polyps.Bachert C, Han JK, Desrosiers M, et al.Efficacy and safety of dupilumab in patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (LIBERTY NP SINUS-24 and LIBERTY NP SINUS-52): results from two multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group phase 3 trials[published correction appears in Lancet. 2019 Nov 2;394(10209):1618].Lancet. 2019;394(10209):1638‐1650. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31881-1Astrazeneca.Three clinical trials announced for Fasenra in eosinophil-driven skin diseases.

4 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Nasal Polyps.National Institutes of Health. MedlinePlus.Nasal Polyps.Bachert C, Han JK, Desrosiers M, et al.Efficacy and safety of dupilumab in patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (LIBERTY NP SINUS-24 and LIBERTY NP SINUS-52): results from two multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group phase 3 trials[published correction appears in Lancet. 2019 Nov 2;394(10209):1618].Lancet. 2019;394(10209):1638‐1650. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31881-1Astrazeneca.Three clinical trials announced for Fasenra in eosinophil-driven skin diseases.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Nasal Polyps.National Institutes of Health. MedlinePlus.Nasal Polyps.Bachert C, Han JK, Desrosiers M, et al.Efficacy and safety of dupilumab in patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (LIBERTY NP SINUS-24 and LIBERTY NP SINUS-52): results from two multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group phase 3 trials[published correction appears in Lancet. 2019 Nov 2;394(10209):1618].Lancet. 2019;394(10209):1638‐1650. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31881-1Astrazeneca.Three clinical trials announced for Fasenra in eosinophil-driven skin diseases.

American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology.Nasal Polyps.

National Institutes of Health. MedlinePlus.Nasal Polyps.

Bachert C, Han JK, Desrosiers M, et al.Efficacy and safety of dupilumab in patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (LIBERTY NP SINUS-24 and LIBERTY NP SINUS-52): results from two multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group phase 3 trials[published correction appears in Lancet. 2019 Nov 2;394(10209):1618].Lancet. 2019;394(10209):1638‐1650. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(19)31881-1

Astrazeneca.Three clinical trials announced for Fasenra in eosinophil-driven skin diseases.

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