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Nasal polyps are soft, painless growths that develop on the lining of the nose or sinuses. They're related to chronic inflammation and are often linked to conditions such as asthma, allergies, or sensitivity to certain anti-inflammatory medications.
Evidence checked against current HSE guidance for Nasal polyps, covering the article's core clinical information and relevant assessment, management or safety considerations.
Public health education article
Self-care advice — See your GP if nasal blockage persists for more than a few weeks despite trying decongestants or antihistamines.
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Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
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Nasal polyps are soft, painless growths that develop on the lining of the nose or sinuses. They're related to chronic inflammation and are often linked to conditions such as asthma, allergies, or sensitivity to certain anti-inflammatory medications.
Topic-specific prevention and risk reduction will be added during the article-specific evidence audit.
You have a persistent blocked nose that doesn't respond to usual treatments
Nasal polyps are soft, painless growths that develop on the lining of the nose or sinuses. They're related to chronic inflammation and are often linked to conditions such as asthma, allergies, or sensitivity to certain anti-inflammatory medications.
Small polyps may cause no symptoms, but larger ones can block the nasal passages, leading to a blocked or runny nose, reduced sense of smell and taste, facial pressure, snoring, and repeated sinus infections.
See your GP if nasal blockage persists for more than a few weeks despite trying decongestants or antihistamines.
These measures can help ease symptoms, support recovery, and reduce the chance of things worsening — but they don't replace medical advice if symptoms are severe or persistent.
BarnMD Health Intelligence uses authoritative and clinically relevant sources appropriate to the topic. References are shown so readers can inspect the evidence directly.
BarnMD Health Library provides general health education for public health literacy. Reading this article does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and this information is not a diagnosis, prescription, or personalised treatment plan. If you have symptoms or concerns about your health, seek appropriate advice from a qualified healthcare professional. If you develop emergency warning signs, seek urgent or emergency medical attention.
Nasal polyps often respond well to steroid nasal sprays, though larger or recurring polyps may sometimes need a short course of oral steroids or surgery.
If a blocked nose or lost sense of smell doesn't improve with over-the-counter treatments, ask your GP about nasal polyps.