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What Causes Stiff Nose And Pain In Upper Nose With History Of Bronchitis?
Question: I'm a 27 year old male, I just got over a month long bout of bronchitis, for the past 6 days I've had some stuffiness and mild pain in my upper nose around what I believe are my middle turbinates. The discomfort is mainly in that area, although I sometimes feel a little pain in my eyebrow or eye area that lasts a few seconds and then goes away. I went to see a walk in clinic doctor last night and he said it's swollen and at first he said it's probably a bacterial infection and I need penicillin although after explaining I don't like taking antibiotics he said I could try just using saline nasal spray. What conditions could cause this sort of swellling and discomfort? Is it dangerous for me to be waiting without taking antibiotics at this point? The air in my apartment has been quite dry lately although the condition came on quite suddenly and it came on about a day after I was plucking nose hairs with my finger and I was outside breathing in some dust that was being kicked up by cars as the roads are full of sand. Although I've never had this sort of problem in my life.
Brief Answer:
As below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. Get a nasal examination and endoscopy to check whether you have developed any vestibulitis after plucking the nose hair (vibrissae).
2. Get a check for sinus tenderness. A plain Sinus CT will help rule out any sinusitis which may have developed along with the bronchitis. The nasal pain may originate in the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses and the pain in the eyebrow and eye area may be due to frontal sinusitis.
3. If you are having an allergic reaction to dust, an anti-allergic medication, decongestant and steam inhalation will help. It is safe to withhold any antibiotics at present, unless you have fever and headache.
4. There is always the possibility of referred pain from else where in the head and neck region. This will require direct examination and imaging to locate the source.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
As below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for your query.
1. Get a nasal examination and endoscopy to check whether you have developed any vestibulitis after plucking the nose hair (vibrissae).
2. Get a check for sinus tenderness. A plain Sinus CT will help rule out any sinusitis which may have developed along with the bronchitis. The nasal pain may originate in the ethmoid and maxillary sinuses and the pain in the eyebrow and eye area may be due to frontal sinusitis.
3. If you are having an allergic reaction to dust, an anti-allergic medication, decongestant and steam inhalation will help. It is safe to withhold any antibiotics at present, unless you have fever and headache.
4. There is always the possibility of referred pain from else where in the head and neck region. This will require direct examination and imaging to locate the source.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I don't seem to have vestibulitis because I should be able to see that quite clearly near the opening of the nostril since the hairs are closer to the opening. I do not seem to have sinus tenderness when I touch my sinus areas.
The issue with getting a sinus CT or endoscopy is that a walk in clinic will not refer me to an ENT specialist or send me for a CT for this problem.
It doesn't seem to be referred pain as I can visibly see the swelling in a mirror and the doctor mentioned swelling.
With this is mind will it be ok for me to wait and see what happens or do you advise some other action?
The issue with getting a sinus CT or endoscopy is that a walk in clinic will not refer me to an ENT specialist or send me for a CT for this problem.
It doesn't seem to be referred pain as I can visibly see the swelling in a mirror and the doctor mentioned swelling.
With this is mind will it be ok for me to wait and see what happens or do you advise some other action?
Brief Answer:
As below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. There is no important structure in the area above the eyebrow. If the swelling is located there, you can wait and watch. You may upload a close-up image.
2. Below the outer eyebrow is the lacrimal (tear) gland, and below that, the eye itself. Deep to the upper forehead are the frontal sinuses and supra-orbital sinus cells and then much deeper is the brain.
3. I am assuming that you have no history of trauma or an insect bite in the area.
4. A simple course of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication and anti-allergic medication will settle any soft tissue infection. An alternative is a local ointment with a combination of an antibiotic, anti-fungal and a steroid (such as Betnovate GM).
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
As below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. There is no important structure in the area above the eyebrow. If the swelling is located there, you can wait and watch. You may upload a close-up image.
2. Below the outer eyebrow is the lacrimal (tear) gland, and below that, the eye itself. Deep to the upper forehead are the frontal sinuses and supra-orbital sinus cells and then much deeper is the brain.
3. I am assuming that you have no history of trauma or an insect bite in the area.
4. A simple course of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medication and anti-allergic medication will settle any soft tissue infection. An alternative is a local ointment with a combination of an antibiotic, anti-fungal and a steroid (such as Betnovate GM).
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
There is no issue or swelling above my eyebrow, the real issue as mentioned earlier is swelling in the ethmoid sinuses and it is not visible from the outside, only looking deep inside with a small flashlight am I able to see the swelling. I cannot upload an image as I do not have a camera that can take a clear enough picture that far into my nose.
In your first response you had said I can withhold antibiotics as there is no fever or headache. Are you now saying there may be a soft tissue infection in the ethmoid sinus?
I think I see where i caused the confusion, I should have mentioned that the swelling I see is deep inside the nose in the ethmoid sinuses, it looks like swollen turbinates. There is no visible swelling from the outside.
In your first response you had said I can withhold antibiotics as there is no fever or headache. Are you now saying there may be a soft tissue infection in the ethmoid sinus?
I think I see where i caused the confusion, I should have mentioned that the swelling I see is deep inside the nose in the ethmoid sinuses, it looks like swollen turbinates. There is no visible swelling from the outside.
Brief Answer:
As below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. the swelling inside the nose that you can see is most likely to be the septum or nasal turbinates and rarely, nasal polyps or growths.
2. The swelling may signify an allergic reaction, inflammation, turbinate hypertrophy, nasal cycle and not only infection.
3. Without the above examination and investigations it is not possible for anyone to narrow down the diagnosis.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
As below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. the swelling inside the nose that you can see is most likely to be the septum or nasal turbinates and rarely, nasal polyps or growths.
2. The swelling may signify an allergic reaction, inflammation, turbinate hypertrophy, nasal cycle and not only infection.
3. Without the above examination and investigations it is not possible for anyone to narrow down the diagnosis.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Yes that is what is seems to be, swollen middle turbinates. So without a headache or sinus sensitivity it is unlikely to be an infection and it shouldn't be too dangerous to not take antibiotics at the moment and wait and see is that correct?
Brief Answer:
As below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. It is usually difficult to see the middle turbinates without a nasal speculum, unless you have a wide nasal cavity.
2. Most of the times, only the inferior turbinates are visible.
3. Most of the swollen turbinates are non-infective and the result of chronic stress or allergy. There would be nasal discharge with infection. The colour of the turbinates also may give an indication as to the cause.
4. Hence it is fine to not take antibiotics at the moment and wait to see how this develops.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
Regards.
As below:
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for writing back.
1. It is usually difficult to see the middle turbinates without a nasal speculum, unless you have a wide nasal cavity.
2. Most of the times, only the inferior turbinates are visible.
3. Most of the swollen turbinates are non-infective and the result of chronic stress or allergy. There would be nasal discharge with infection. The colour of the turbinates also may give an indication as to the cause.
4. Hence it is fine to not take antibiotics at the moment and wait to see how this develops.
I hope that I have answered your query. If you have any further questions, I will be available to answer them.
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. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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