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Does Snorting Drugs Causes Problems In Sinus And Nose?

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Posted on Mon, 27 Oct 2014
Question: I have had a history snorting drugs from when I was 21 until 28, I have not snorted anything in over a year. I am worried my sinus and nose have been damaged. although I can not feel or see much damage there are syptoms that do worry me. these include a whitish scarring on my septum, or something that looks like whitish. I also have nothing to block runoff from my nose. when my allergies bother me, have a cold,the weather change, clear liquid comes right out of my nose without me being able to stop it,
I have been in for physical but he did not look at my sinus. I plan on going to see an ent but would like some basic understanding in the meantime. I dread having to get surgery, but am willing to take whatever steps necessary to fix the problem. I was wondering if there is a procedure to repair the damage causes and help stop the free flow from my nose.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
You most probably have atrophic changes inside nose.

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX ,
Thanks for the query.

As per your clinical history it appears that you most probably have atrophic changes on septum & other part of nose due to snorting drug.

If I were your treating doctor, I would advice you

Steam Inhalation twice daily, Saline nasal spray thrice daily &
Use Antihistaminic levocetirizine + Montelukast combination when clear liquids comes from nose due to allergy , cold & weather changes.

I would also advice to consult ENT specialist & do investigation like diagnostic nasal endoscopy to see extend of scarring inside nose & sinuses .

There less changes that you need surgery but need medication to control allergy . It will clear after diagnostic nasal endoscopy.

Here my suggestion is that you should consult your ENT doctor for thorough examination, necessary investigations and treatment.

Hope this information helpful to you .If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Krunal Karade (41 minutes later)
Thanks for the helpful response. I will plan on making an appointment with an ENT specialist to get an examination. I just have a last couple of questions to hoppfully end my worrying.

So I assume that the white scar looking stuff on my septum is the atrophic changes that you are referring to. with the proper treatment such as steam inhalation and saline spray, will it be able to heal over time and go away, or is the scarring inside my nose and sinuses something that will always be there.

does the increase in clear liquid from my nose have to do with something that was damaged from the drug use, or is it more from allergies?

what is the brand name of a medicine that is a Antihistaminic levocetirizine + Montelukast?

Also, if the actual cartilage inside my nose has been worn away, is there a procedure that can repair this and strengthen the actual nose from the inside? something like a skin graft? is this something that an ENT doctor can do, or is something that a plastic surgeon does?

Thank you.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Krunal Karade (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Scar will improve little but not fully.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

Thanks for the follow up query.

The white scar looking stuff on your septum is due atrophic changes, it will improve little but not fully. Steam inhalation and saline nasal spray will remove any crust inside nose, keep mucosa healthy & prevent any infection.

The increase in clear liquid from your nose is because of allergy.

The brand name of a medicine that is an Antihistaminic levocetirizine + Montelukast is Romilast L 10, Montek LC, Montair LC.

If the actual cartilage inside your nose has been worn away then it can repair with septal button, septal flap to cover defect & injections to reduce scarring. These procedures are done by ENT specialist.

Hope this information helpful to you. If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.

Regards.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Ashwin Bhandari
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Krunal Karade

ENT Specialist

Practicing since :2009

Answered : 1000 Questions

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Does Snorting Drugs Causes Problems In Sinus And Nose?

Brief Answer: You most probably have atrophic changes inside nose. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX , Thanks for the query. As per your clinical history it appears that you most probably have atrophic changes on septum & other part of nose due to snorting drug. If I were your treating doctor, I would advice you Steam Inhalation twice daily, Saline nasal spray thrice daily & Use Antihistaminic levocetirizine + Montelukast combination when clear liquids comes from nose due to allergy , cold & weather changes. I would also advice to consult ENT specialist & do investigation like diagnostic nasal endoscopy to see extend of scarring inside nose & sinuses . There less changes that you need surgery but need medication to control allergy . It will clear after diagnostic nasal endoscopy. Here my suggestion is that you should consult your ENT doctor for thorough examination, necessary investigations and treatment. Hope this information helpful to you .If you have any further questions I will be happy to help. Regards.