Quick Facts: Nasal Polyps - Merck Manuals Consumer Version

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What are the symptoms of nasal polyps?

How can doctors tell if I have nasal polyps?

How do doctors treat nasal polyps?

Nose and Sinus Disorders

Nasal Polyps

Rhinitis

Sinusitis

A corneal ulcer is an eye infection that causes an open sore on the cornea (the clear layer in front of the iris and pupil). A common cause of a corneal ulcer is bacterial or viral infection. However, another cause can be injury. Which of the following injuries is the most common cause of a corneal ulcer?

Foreign object lodged in the eye
Irritation from a contact lens
Scratch from a foreign object
Severe dry eyes

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Last full review/revision Sep 2020| Content last modified Sep 2020

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Nasal Polyps

Nasal polyps are fleshy growths inside your nose. They're usually oval in shape and may look a little like peeled grapes.

Nasal polyps are not cancer
You’re more likely to get nasal polyps if you have allergies, asthma, or family members with nasal polyps
Nasal polyps can block your nose
Doctors usually treat nasal polyps with corticosteroid nasal sprays (to lessen swelling), but sometimes they do surgery

Doctors don't know exactly why people get nasal polyps. However, you're more likely to get them if you have:

A lot of sinus infections
Asthma
Allergies, especially an allergy to aspirin
Family members with nasal polyps

You may have no symptoms, but if you do, they may include:

Stuffy nose
Runny nose
Sneezing
Trouble smelling things

Doctors can tell if you have nasal polyps by looking inside your nose.

Doctors first treat nasal polyps with:

Corticosteroid nasal sprays

If the sprays don't work, doctors may give you corticosteroid pills.

If the corticosteroid treatments don't work, or the polyps are severely blocking your nose, doctors may do surgery to take out the polyps.

To prevent nasal polyps from coming back, doctors may have you keep using a corticosteroid nasal spray.

Generic Name	Select Brand Names
aspirin	No US brand name

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What are nasal polyps?