I have small tear in one side of my nasal septum. Will it heal on its own?

Question

Hi doctor,

I have a small hole/tear in one side of my septum. It can be seen by shining a light on the other side of the nostril. The other side has no defects and no sign of a hole or crusting. I am confused as to whether I have a septal perforation or not as my understanding is, perforation is a hole through the entire septum. Is it right? As mine is not, and with keeping it moist with hot steam baths and saline nasal sprays, is the small hole on one side of my septum likely to heal?

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thanks for providing a brief history. Unless there is a defect on the opposite side at the same level, there is a very less likely chance of developing a septal perforation. I would hence say that you do not really have a septal perforation. My advice to you would be not to remove the crusts developing on one side of the septum keeping in mind that they can bleed and repeated trauma can cause failure of the mucosa to heal on the same side. Continue using saline nasal sprays six to eight times a day to keep the area moist and promote healing. Please do make note that substance abuse can also promote dryness and prevent the perforation from healing. I hope this helps.