Overview
The nose is the main entrance for air into the body, and the sinuses are connected spaces around it inside the skull. Together, they help clean, humidify, and warm the air before it reaches the lungs. They also support the sense of smell and affect the sound of the voice. When the lining of the nose or sinuses becomes irritated, swollen, or infected, symptoms can develop.
Key Symptoms
Common symptoms include a blocked or runny nose, sneezing, post-nasal drip, facial pressure, headache, reduced sense of smell, and nosebleeds. Some people also have cough, bad breath, ear pressure, or thick mucus. Symptoms may be short-term, such as during a cold, or long-lasting, such as with allergies or chronic sinus inflammation.
Causes and Risk Factors
Nose and sinus problems can be caused by viral infections like the common cold, allergies, irritants such as smoke or pollution, and structural differences inside the nose. Bacterial infection may sometimes develop after a viral illness. Risk factors include asthma, allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, exposure to dust or chemicals, dry air, and frequent contact with people who have respiratory infections.
Who Is Affected
Nose and sinus symptoms are common in children and adults around the world. Children often have frequent colds, while adults may be more affected by allergies, workplace irritants, or chronic sinus problems. People with asthma, immune system problems, or certain structural issues in the nose may have more persistent symptoms.
Prevention
You can lower the chance of some nose and sinus problems by washing your hands, avoiding close contact with respiratory infections when possible, and reducing exposure to smoke and air pollution. Managing allergies and avoiding known triggers can also help. Keeping indoor air comfortably humid and drinking enough fluids may reduce dryness for some people.
Diagnosis and Tests
A healthcare professional may ask about symptoms, timing, allergy history, and possible triggers, then examine the nose, throat, and face. In some cases, they may use a lighted tool to look inside the nose or order imaging if symptoms are severe, unusual, or long-lasting. Allergy testing or other tests may be considered when symptoms keep returning.
Treatment Categories
Treatment depends on the cause and may include symptom relief, allergy management, treatment of infection when appropriate, and care for structural problems if needed. Reducing irritant exposure and using moisture or saline approaches may help some people with dryness or congestion. Long-lasting or complicated problems may need assessment by a primary care clinician or ear, nose, and throat specialist.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek medical care if symptoms last longer than expected, keep coming back, interfere with sleep or daily activities, or include repeated nosebleeds. You should also get medical advice for worsening facial pain, swelling, fever, thick discolored drainage that does not improve, or a major change in smell. Children, older adults, and people with immune system problems may need earlier evaluation.
When It May Be an Emergency
Emergency care is needed for trouble breathing, severe bleeding that does not stop, swelling around the eyes, confusion, severe headache with high fever, or symptoms after a serious injury to the nose or face. These signs can point to heavy blood loss, breathing blockage, serious infection, or trauma. Do not delay urgent care if a person is very unwell or rapidly worsening.