Signs and Symptoms of Nasal Polyps

Medically reviewed by John Carew, MD

Nasal polyps are benign, soft, and painless growths that develop on the inside of the nose or sinuses. They are often caused by asthma, chronic sinus infections, allergies, or aspirin intolerance.

Small nasal polyps typically do not have symptoms and are not painful. However, if nasal polyps grow, you may start to develop symptoms or related conditions like a sinus infection that can cause other symptoms.

Some common symptoms of nasal polyps include a stuffy or runny nose, a decreased sense of smell or taste, facial pressure and pain, and post-nasal drip. Over time, symptoms like snoring and post-nasal drip may disrupt your sleep.

The symptoms of nasal polyps don't resolve on their own. Health complications from polyps are rare but possible. If your symptoms are bothersome or become worse, you can talk to a healthcare provider about treatment options.

Nasal Congestion

The most common sign of nasal polyps is nasal congestion. You may experience symptoms like watery or thick nasal discharge, rhinorrhea (runny nose), a stuffy nose, sniffles, sneezing, or nasal obstruction (blocked nose). Typically, this lasts for 12 weeks or more and occurs on both sides of the nose.

Decreased Sense of Smell

Approximately 17% of people with nasal polyps experience a reduced or altered sense of smell or taste. This can happen when the nasal polyps become too large and create an ongoing nasal obstruction. Research shows adults are more likely to experience this symptom. However, this may be because children have a harder time reporting it.

Post-Nasal Drip

Post-nasal drip—which is when mucus accumulates and drains down the back of your throat—is another common symptom of nasal polyps. This can lead to coughing and a sore throat. Post-nasal drip is especially common during sleep, which may cause insomnia and disrupt the quality of your rest.

Snoring

Due to congestion, people with nasal polyps often snore. This may lead to frequent nighttime wakings and lower the quality of your sleep. In some cases, nasal polyps can contribute to the development of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)—a condition in which your airways collapse or partially collapse during sleep, temporarily blocking off oxygen and causing you to wake up.

Headache

Many people with nasal polyps report experiencing headaches, facial pressure, and sinus pain. This is especially common among people who develop polyps due to chronic sinusitis (sinus infections). Headaches are also likely to occur in the morning due to the effects of disrupted sleep.

When to Contact a Healthcare Provider

Many people with nasal polyps think they have a typical cold or flu at first. However, the symptoms of nasal polyps don’t go away with time. If left untreated, they may grow large enough to block your airways and disrupt your breathing.

Nasal polyps can often be treated with medications—such as nasal or oral corticosteroids, biologics, or nasal saline sprays—to reduce inflammation and swelling. Antihistamines may help if your symptoms are related to allergies, while antibiotics can treat underlying infections. If your polyps are very large, you may need surgery to remove them.

Reach out to a healthcare provider if your nasal congestion persists or gets worse. It’s especially important to seek medical care if you’re having trouble breathing due to your symptoms.

A Quick Review

Symptoms of nasal polyps typically include nasal congestion, sneezing, a reduced sense of smell, headache, post-nasal drip, and snoring. They are typically treated with medication but may need to be surgically removed in more severe cases.

Nasal polyps don’t usually cause major health complications. However, over time, nasal polyps may make it more difficult to breathe if they get too large.

Frequently Asked Questions

What other conditions can be mistaken for nasal polyps?

In many cases, people with nasal polyps think they have a virus, such as a cold or the flu. Related conditions, such as hay fever and chronic sinusitis, can also be mistaken for nasal polyps. Rarely, your symptoms may be caused by a tumor, such as a nasal papilloma.

What is the difference between a nasal papilloma and a polyp?

Sinonasal inverted papillomas and nasal polyps have many overlapping symptoms, including sinus pressure, nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, a reduced sense of smell, and facial pressure. Inverted papillomas also sometimes cause nosebleeds, which are relatively rare in people with nasal polyps. Like polyps, sinonasal inverted papillomas are benign (non-cancerous). However, they are more aggressive than nasal polyps and sometimes convert to cancer over time.

Can a polyp in your nose be cancerous?

Nasal polyps are almost always benign. However, a healthcare provider may need to examine your growths closely to make sure they are not cancerous or a more aggressive tumor. For example, they could be warts known as inverted papillomas or, in rare cases, a sign of nasal cavity cancer.

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