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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Causes Foul Smell From Left Nostril?

I started smelling this terrible foul smell in my left nostril a week or so ago and so I used my NetiPot and kept blowing thru the left nostril as I was using it and a fairly large chunk of 'gunk' came out of my nose; at first I thought it was a bug. I looked at it under a magnifer and it was just a large chunk of 'gunk', no bug. Then I did not smell it for a few days until today ... after I had flown. I have been irrigating my nose EVERY day for the last 10 days since I first smelled it. I can't breathe really well thru my left nostril. I don't have a fever, and I don't have any other symptoms - just this terrible smell that I keep smelling. If I 'squinch' my nose up and inhale it is worse/ I can't get in to my ENT specialist for almost three weeks. Should I go to the Urgent Care Center?
Tue, 1 Mar 2016
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Dentist,  's  Response
Hi..
Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC..

I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns..

As per your complain the symptoms of congestion in the left nostril along with foul smell and discharge of a large gunk seems to be due to infection in the left maxillary sinus and as the sinuses drains through the nose the smell and congestion seems to be due to it..
You need not to worry as it will resolve with treatment..
I would suggest you to consult an Otolaryngologist and get evaluated and a thorough clinical evaluation and investigations like PNS View or MRI scan of sinuses can help in diagnosis and treatment can be doneaccordingly..
You can be advised to take a course of antibiotics, anti inflammatory painkiller, decongestants oral as well as nasal sprays, saline nasal irrigation, steam inhalation and use a humidifier in your room..
You can also avoid excess intake of chilled foods and drink plenty of warm water..
Do warm compresses over the area around the nostrils..

Hope this information helps..

Thanks and regards.
Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.
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What Causes Foul Smell From Left Nostril?

Hi.. Welcome to HEALTHCARE MAGIC.. I have gone through your query and can understand your concerns.. As per your complain the symptoms of congestion in the left nostril along with foul smell and discharge of a large gunk seems to be due to infection in the left maxillary sinus and as the sinuses drains through the nose the smell and congestion seems to be due to it.. You need not to worry as it will resolve with treatment.. I would suggest you to consult an Otolaryngologist and get evaluated and a thorough clinical evaluation and investigations like PNS View or MRI scan of sinuses can help in diagnosis and treatment can be doneaccordingly.. You can be advised to take a course of antibiotics, anti inflammatory painkiller, decongestants oral as well as nasal sprays, saline nasal irrigation, steam inhalation and use a humidifier in your room.. You can also avoid excess intake of chilled foods and drink plenty of warm water.. Do warm compresses over the area around the nostrils.. Hope this information helps.. Thanks and regards. Dr.Honey Nandwani Arora.