Although harmless, a large polyp or several little ones can obstruct the nasal airway, making breathing difficult and impairing your sense of smell. If the opening between the nasal cavity and one of the sinuses is blocked, you may have headaches or facial pains similar to those occurring in sinusitis. Sometimes, your doctor may discover that you have nasal polyps while he or she is examining your nose for some other reason. If your nose is gradually becoming blocked, you may have polyps. Examine the lining of your nose in a mirror while shining a light up your nostrils - the polyps look like pearly grey lumps.
Polyps are often at the back of the nose, where they can be seen only with a special instrument.
If you suspect that you may have nasal polyps, you should visit your doctor who will examine you and, if the diagnosis is confirmed, may prescribe treatment with a corticosteroid nasal spray. This may be enough to shrink the polyps but if they are large or do not shrink when treated with steroids, you will be referred to a specialist for surgery. This involves removal of the polyps through the nose, and the affected sinuses may be opened at the same time. In many cases, polyps may recur and require further surgery. People with nasal polyps may be allergic to aspirin and so should use paracetamol for the relief of minor pains.