What Causes Nasal Scarring?

Nasal scarring is caused by an injury to the nose. This scarring can result in difficulty breathing or loss of function of the olfactory senses. According to plastic surgeon, Dr. Sam S. Rizk, those with sports-related nose injuries also tend to have a deviated septum. Some scarring can be corrected, albeit done via costly surgical procedures.

Accidents and Injuries

• External factors that cause nasal scarring can be as simple as a mishandled nose piercing. It can also be caused by more serious factors such as a car accident, domestic altercation or a criminal assault. People who are involved in rigorous physical activities, such as boxers, ball players and other athletes, are prone to nasal scarring. Their noses may accidentally come in contact with equipment or another player's body while at practice or during competitions, causing damaging impact. In fact, according to Dr. Rizk, there are plenty of male sports aficionado who visit clinics seeking consultations and treatments to correct nasal problems caused by these injuries.

Surgery

• Corrective surgeries, like relieving a deviated septum, removing an overgrowth in the nose, or a routine rhinoplasty procedure, can cause nasal scarring. Deciding on whether to undergo such procedures should be weighed carefully, as the nose's soft tissues can take a long time to heal. In fact, the scarring might not be discovered right away and a patient may disregard any discomfort as part of the healing process. While scarring is one side effect of surgeries done to the nose, according to the Boston Rhinoplasty Clinic, the outcome can still be successful if done by a competent surgeon.

Radiotherapy Treatments

• Some people resort to radiotherapy treatments to help with bothersome snoring or blockages in the nose as a result of nose cancer. According to the Centre for Ear Nose Throat Allergy & Snoring (CENTAS) in Singapore, nose cancer is not uncommon among Asian and Malay men between the ages of 31 to 60 years old. This procedure makes use of strategically targeted X-rays that treat the problem. It is done more than once, causing the skin around the nose to thin out. Thus, scar tissues in the nose region can form every time the treatment is administered.

Chemical Exposure

• Sniffing chemicals--whether by accident or on purpose--can also cause nasal scaring, as the nose is made up of sensitive membranes that irritate easily. Smoke from cigarettes; household chemicals, like bleach or polishes; strong solvents, like paints; and illegal substances, like cocaine, all have toxic elements. Many of the symptoms of an irritated nasal passage are overlooked since the condition goes away as soon as the person gets to breathe fresh air. Prolonged exposure, however, can lead to adverse effects that cause not just nasal scarring but also wheezing, fainting and even death, according to Virginia's Health Department.