When should I seek medical attention for my blocked nose?

Written by: Professor Vikas Malik
Published: | Updated: 18/04/2023
Edited by: Conor Lynch

Top Doctors recently spoke to highly experienced and skilled ENT specialist, Mr Vikas Malik, who, here in our latest article below, tells us when immediate medical attention should be sought for a blocked nose, and explains how a blocked nose is typically treated.

Can a blocked nose be serious?

It could be a sign of something serious, such as a tumour, or an undiagnosed allergy.

 

Should I go to the hospital if I have a blocked nose?

Often, in order to identify the underlying cause, seeing your GP is definitely the right thing to do if you have a blocked nose. If symptoms are not being resolved, a specialist should be seen.

 

A bent septum or polyps could also be the cause, and these conditions almost always require surgery. Or, it could be due to something more sinister, like a tumour. In children, adenoids are common, and they prevent the child from being able to breathe properly, so, again, this is a serious condition that would require surgical removal.

 

How is a severely blocked nose treated?

It depends entirely on what’s causing the blocked nose. It is very important that patients learn how to use nasal sprays properly. Nasal drops are, if appropriate, very effective when it comes to unblocking a blocked nose. Surgical treatment, of course, is an option, but only if one hundred per cent necessary.

 

Is surgery always necessary?

Surgery is not always necessary. If the cause of the nasal blockage is due to a deviated septum, nasal polyps, or a tumour, then it is necessary.

 

Can nose blockage return after surgery?

Yes, it can indeed. If you have both a deviated septum and an allergy, the surgery will straighten the septum, but won’t cure the allergy.

 

Mr Vikas Malik is an incredibly well-regarded ENT specialist who can treat your nasal blockage. Consult with him today via his Top Doctors profile.

By Professor Vikas Malik
Otolaryngology / ENT

Mr Vikas Malik is a leading Ear, Nose and Throat surgeon in BoltonGreater Manchester and Lancashire. He treats both adults and children. His special interests include balloon dilatation of eustachian tubes, chronic ear dischargeear infectionseardrum perforation, mastoid infection, hearing loss, balance problems, Meniere's disease, balloon sinus surgery, endoscopic sinus surgery, management of blocked nose, hoarseness and diagnosis of head and neck cancer

Mr Malik graduated from Lucknow University in India which is an outstanding University of Medical Excellence in education, research and patient care. He then completed a three year Master (MS) in ENT and Head and Neck Surgery and was awarded the best candidate award. Mr Malik undertook a further three years training as a Senior Resident in Otology and skull base surgery at SGPGIMS which is a prestigious super-speciality tertiary care hospital. He was also awarded the title of Diplomate of National Board (DNB) by an autonomous academic body under the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare as well as Membership of National Academy of Medical Sciences (MNAMS) by Indian National Academy which fosters academic medical excellence.

He then moved to the UK and completed the UK ENT training in North West England and Cambridge. He was awarded his Completion Certificate of Training by the UK Joint Committee on Higher Surgical Training and is on the GMC Specialist Register with Licence to Practice. He has also been recognised by the GMC as ENT Surgical Trainer and Supervisor.

Mr Malik has been a visiting fellow at Toronto University Hospitals in Canada and Causse Ear Clinic in France, which are world-renowned centres of excellence. 

He is the Clinical Governance Lead for ENT department at Royal Bolton Hospital. He is the Head of Simulation at Bolton NHS Foundation Trust. He is also the NoTS (ENT STC) lead for Health Education North West England. 

View Profile

Overall assessment of their patients


  • Related procedures
  • Facelift
    Neck lift
    Otoplasty
    Thread lift
    Buttock lift
    Botulinum toxin (Botox™)
    Dermal fillers
    Facial reconstruction
    Congenital malformations
    Facial plastic surgery
    This website uses our own and third-party Cookies to compile information with the aim of improving our services, to show you advertising related to your preferences as well analysing your browsing habits. You can change your settings HERE.