Can a Rhinoplasty Help With Allergies?

No-one Likes Dealing With Allergies

In south Texas, it’s always allergy season. Millions of Texans are suffering from symptoms such as runny nose, nasal congestion, excess drainage and sinus inflammation at any given time. Chronic allergies can also lead to a condition called sinusitis which leaves its victims with headaches, facial pressure or pain, nasal drainage, congestion and an inability to breathe.

Dealing with these symptoms is never fun, but you always have options! Allergists can help you pinpoint your allergens and provide applicable corticosteroids or antihistamines. But did you know that a rhinoplasty can help with allergy symptoms? If needed, this procedure can be cosmetic and functional, allowing your surgeon to make structural adjustments that can clear obstructions and allow you to breathe easy again.

What is a rhinoplasty?

Typically, a rhinoplasty reshapes and create a more pleasing profile. It is an outpatient procedure that involves your surgeon cutting into the nostrils and nasal cavity. Then the surgeon will reshape the bones and cartilage to achieve the desired look. While the procedure is designed as a reconstruction for aesthetic purposes, your surgeon can also make adjustments that can help you breath easier!

A rhinoplasty can address a deviated septum, for example. A deviated septum occurs when the septum (the wall down the center of the nose) is off-center. In extreme cases this can cause nasal blockages and difficulty breathing. Pairing a deviated septum with severe allergies is a recipe for misery. Luckily, this is something that can easily be corrected during a rhinoplasty, clearing the nasal passage to allow for easier breathing.

A rhinoplasty can also address chronically inflamed turbinates. Turbinates are small, shelf-like structures along the sidewalls of the nasal cavity that help to filter the air you breath. They can often become inflamed in sufferers of chronic allergies. This inflammation can worsen symptoms and cause you to be more congested. Similarly, chronic allergies can also cause small polyps, or growths, in the nasal cavity. The polyps, if large enough, can cause significant difficulty breathing. A skilled surgeon can address both of these during a rhinoplasty with a reduction or removal.

What does that have to do with allergies?

If you are considering a rhinoplasty for cosmetic reasons, this could also be a great opportunity to find some relief for your breathing. A rhinoplasty won’t be able to cure your allergies. But, incorporating these techniques into the procedure can alleviate your symptoms. If you suffer from structural issues that are exasperating your symptoms, a rhinoplasty could be the perfect option to improve on your profile and your breathing. Dr. Stallworth is always happy to discuss what will work for you! Call us today to schedule your consultation.