Nasal Polyp Treatment

Nasal polyps are soft, grape-like growths inside the nose or sinuses that can make it hard to breathe, smell, or sleep well. At Allergy Asthma, we offer patient-centered evaluation and treatment options for nasal polyps, especially when they show up alongside allergies, asthma, or chronic sinus problems.

If you live in Washington Heights or nearby communities like Hamilton Heights, Staten Island, and Brooklyn (Bay Ridge), you are not alone. Many people in New York deal with ongoing congestion, sinus pressure, or a “stuffy nose that never ends” and wonder if nasal polyps could be part of the reason. The good news is that nasal polyps are treatable, and the right plan often starts with identifying what is driving the inflammation.

What are nasal polyps, and why do they happen?

Nasal polyps are non-cancerous growths that form when the lining of the nose or sinuses stays inflamed for a long time. Think of inflammation like swelling on the inside that never fully calms down. Over time, that irritated lining can form polyp tissue. Nasal polyps are commonly linked with:

• Chronic rhinosinusitis (ongoing sinus inflammation)

• Allergic rhinitis (environmental allergies)

• Asthma, especially certain types of inflammation

• Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) in some patients

• Eosinophilic inflammation, meaning a type of “allergy cell” is overactive (eosinophils) (1, 2)

What symptoms might mean I have nasal polyps?

Some people have small polyps and barely notice them. Others have bigger or multiple polyps that block airflow and sinus drainage. Common symptoms include:

• Constant nasal congestion or blockage

• Postnasal drip (mucus sliding down the throat)

• Reduced or lost sense of smell

• Facial pressure or headache feeling

• Runny nose

• Snoring or poor sleep

• Sinus infections that keep coming back (1, 2)

If you have asthma and your nasal symptoms are getting worse, it is worth getting checked because the nose and lungs often affect each other.

How are nasal polyps diagnosed?

Diagnosis usually starts with your story and a focused exam. Depending on your symptoms, your clinician may consider tools that help confirm polyps and understand what is going on in the sinuses. This may include:

• Nasal examination to look for swelling or polyp tissue

• Nasal endoscopy (a small camera used to see deeper in the nose)

• Imaging like a CT scan in some cases to map sinus blockage

• Allergy evaluation if triggers like pollen, pets, dust mites, or mold may be fueling inflammation (1, 2)

Not everyone needs every test. The goal is to get a clear answer without doing more than necessary.

What are the treatment options for nasal polyps?

Treatment is usually aimed at two things: shrinking the polyps and calming the inflammation that caused them. Nasal polyp treatment options may include:

• Nasal corticosteroid sprays to reduce swelling in the nose over time

• Short courses of oral steroids for some patients when symptoms are severe (used carefully because of side effects)

• Saline rinses to wash out mucus, irritants, and allergens

• Allergy treatment when allergic rhinitis is a major driver

• Biologic medications for certain people with chronic sinus disease with nasal polyps, especially when polyps are recurrent or tied to type 2 inflammation (examples studied include dupilumab and other biologics) (1–4)

• Surgery (endoscopic sinus surgery) in some cases, often when blockage is significant or symptoms persist despite medical therapy (1, 2)

Your best option depends on your symptoms, polyp size, asthma history, and how inflamed the sinuses are.

When should I see a specialist for nasal polyp care?

It is time to get evaluated if symptoms are lasting, affecting sleep, or limiting breathing and smell. Consider booking a visit if you have:

• Congestion that lasts most days for weeks

• Loss of smell that does not come back

• Sinus pressure plus thick drainage that keeps recurring

• Asthma that feels harder to control along with worsening nasal symptoms

• Symptoms that do not improve with basic over-the-counter steps (1, 2)

If you ever have severe trouble breathing, swelling of the face, or a high fever with worsening symptoms, seek urgent medical care.

Why Choose Allergy Asthma for Nasal Polyp Treatment?

At Allergy Asthma, we specialize in evaluating and treating nasal polyps with personalized care that focuses on both symptom relief and the underlying causes of chronic nasal and sinus inflammation. Whether you live in Washington Heights, Hamilton Heights, Staten Island, or Brooklyn (Bay Ridge), we are committed to providing thoughtful treatment options that help improve breathing, restore comfort, and support overall sinus health.

If you are struggling with ongoing nasal congestion, sinus pressure, or loss of smell related to nasal polyps, Allergy Asthma is here to help. Contact our office to schedule a consultation and learn more about your nasal polyp treatment options. Our goal is to help you breathe easier and enjoy a better quality of life.

References:

1. Fokkens, W. J., Lund, V. J., Hopkins, C., Hellings, P. W., Kern, R., Reitsma, S., … Toppila-Salmi, S. (2020). European Position Paper on Rhinosinusitis and Nasal Polyps 2020. Rhinology Supplement, 29, 1–464.

2. Stevens, W. W., Peters, A. T., Hirsch, A. G., Nordberg, C. M., Schwartz, B. S., Mercer, D. G., … Grammer, L. C. (2017). Clinical characteristics of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, asthma, and aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice, 5(4), 1061–1070.

3. Bachert, C., Han, J. K., Desrosiers, M., Hellings, P. W., Amin, N., Lee, S. E., … Radin, A. (2019). Efficacy and safety of dupilumab in patients with severe chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. The New England Journal of Medicine, 381(1), 55–66.

4. Gevaert, P., Omachi, T. A., Corren, J., Mullol, J., Han, J., Lee, S. E., … Gupta, A. (2020). Efficacy and safety of omalizumab in nasal polyposis: Results from randomized trials. The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 146(3), 595–605.