Keep in mind flushing your nose with saline solution will only offer temporary relief for dryness, nosebleeds, and nasal congestion. To really address the issue, you will likely have to see your doctor.
Try to avoid nasal sprays with the preservative benzalkonium chloride (BKC), which can be damaging to protective cells in the nose. Overuse of decongestant and steroid nasal sprays can cause nasal tears, so you should avoid these. If you are already using a lot of nasal spray and your nasal issues are not getting better, you should see your doctor for a diagnosis.
If you work with industrial chemicals, you may want to consider cutting back on the amount of time you spend in this environment, as exposure to industrial chemicals can lead to nasal issues, including nasal tears.
For example, your doctor may ask you, “When did you first notice issues with your nose?” “What kind of symptoms are you experiencing?” “How long have you had these symptoms?” “What do you think is the cause of these symptoms?”
The doctor may need to do an rhinoscopy or a nasal endoscopy to determine the location of the hole in your nose. This requires the insertion of a very small camera and light into your nose. The physical exam can be done in the doctor’s office. You will need to remain still and calm during the physical exam so the doctor can do a thorough check.
If the doctor suspects drug use, they will screen you for certain drugs to determine if this may be the cause of the nasal tear.
Speak to your doctor about this option as well as any side effects of the procedure before you go through with it.
You will be under general anesthesia during the procedure. The doctor may also use a local anesthetic to numb your nose during the procedure.
During your recovery, you will need to avoid decongestant nasal sprays, smoking, and medication that contains caffeine. If the hole is very large in your septum, there is a risk it may open up again, even after the surgery. You may then require another surgery to repair the hole again. After surgery, there will be swelling which may make it difficult to breathe through your nose. Avoid forceful nose blowing or insertion of any objects (including fingers) into the nose.
