How to Clean Nose After Rhinoplasty – Mistakes to Avoid

If you recently went through a rhinoplasty, your surgeon likely advised you not to touch your nose at all. It’s because it could introduce germs to the surgical area, causing infection issues. But cleaning your nose after rhinoplasty is also important to clear the crusts, dried blood, and open up the nasal passages to avoid infections. So, how to clean the nose after rhinoplasty?

The best ways to clean the nose after a nose job are using the Q-tip with hydrogen, a warm towel, and the saline rinse. Let’s learn about all these methods in detail to safely clean your nose after rhinoplasty without hurting it.

Benefits of Cleaning the Nose After Rhinoplasty

Cleaning your nose after rhinoplasty surgery is important for it to heal faster and healthier.

• The dried blood and the crusts are removed, which lowers the risk of infections.
• The nose heals faster due to unblocked nasal passages and reduced swelling.
• Gentle cleaning also stops the crusts and the mucus that could be harmful to the healing.
• Breathing feels easier once blockages are cleared from the nose.
• Irritation fades faster when the nose is kept clean.
• Tissues settle better if buildup is avoided in the nostrils.
• Stale smells disappear as debris is removed.
• Minor blockages cause discomfort, but rinses keep passages open.

How to Clean the Nose After Rhinoplasty Without Hurting It?

Your nose is very delicate, especially in the first weeks of the rhinoplasty. A slight wrong touch, hit, or push could change the shape, cause indentations, and affect the final shape. 

Follow this guide that our board-certified plastic surgeons give to our patients for cleaning their nose at home safely without hurting it.

Cleaning with Q-Tip and Hydrogen Peroxide

When the packing has been removed from your nose, take the Q-Tip and hydrogen peroxide. Take the Q-Tip now and then moisten it with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide.

Gently, with soft hands, clean inside the nostrils, removing the dried blood or debris. Don’t apply pressure or try to force anything. If any blockage is bigger, you can use a saline rinse for it.

Removing Crusts Using a Warm Towel

A wet, warm towel is all you need to clean the crusts from your nostrils that are formed by the mucus. Using a fresh towel, gently pat the crusted area after dipping it into clean, warm water. To avoid discomfort or swelling, refrain from pressing, rubbing, or scraping.

Rinsing Nasal Passages with Saline Solution

Saline is a safe solution to clean the nasal passages after rhinoplasty to ensure they’re open so that the nose can heal faster. You can use this cleaning solution after 24 hours of your surgery, but only after being allowed by your surgeon. 

Don’t try to use your finger or any objects to remove the blockages, as they could harm the nose. Follow this guide instead to safely clean the nasal passages and the blockages using the saline.

• Mix one teaspoon of salt into a cup of clean water and allow it to cool before use.
• Lean your head sideways and slowly introduce the saline into the top nostril with a dropper.
• Allow the solution to travel through the nasal passages and exit from the other side on its own.
• Do the same for the other nostril to remove obstructions and lower the risk of infection.

When Can You Start Cleaning Your Nose After Rhinoplasty?

The best time to clean the nose after rhinoplasty is 7 to 10 days after the surgery, when the splints are removed. Be gentle and careful when cleaning your nose, especially in the first weeks, as the nose is sensitive and even a little push or force can disrupt the healing. You can start washing your face normally after 4 to 6 weeks.

Precautions

Take these precautions while you’re cleaning your nose in the first weeks of the rhinoplasty.

• Don’t blow up your nose as it could put pressure on the healing tissues, causing changes in the shape and the bumps or indentations.
• Keep your nose moist using any saline or the irrigation spray, avoiding irritation, crusting, and dryness.
• Avoid touching or picking your nose, as it could introduce bacteria, increasing the chances of infections.
• Ask your surgeon about the specific way of cleaning your nose, as they understand your nose condition better. The instructions vary from procedure to procedure.

Asli Tarcan Clinic: Trusted Experts in Safe and Natural Rhinoplasty

How to clean your nose after rhinoplasty safely? At Asli clinic, we suggest to our patients mainly 3 effective methods to clean the nose. The first one is moistening the Q-tip with a small amount of hydrogen peroxide and then gently cleaning inside the nostrils with it, removing the blockages or the dried blood.

The second method is using a warm towel to clean the crusts. Just take a clean towel, dip it into the warm water, and then carefully clean the nasal area, clearing the crusts. Don’t put excessive pressure anywhere to avoid complications.

Saline solution is the third and one of the best methods to clean the nose safely after rhinoplasty. Dissolve a teaspoon of salt in a cup of water, let it cool, tilt your head, and use a dropper to rinse each nostril gently.

Should you clean your nose after rhinoplasty?

Yes, you should, as it’s important to clean the dried blood, crusts, and clear nasal passages for your nose to heal faster.

What are the benefits of cleaning your nose?

Cleaning your nose keeps it safe from infections and the complications caused by the crusts, dried blood, or blockages in the nasal passages.

How to unclog your nose after rhinoplasty?

Using a saline rinse inside your nose will clear the blockages and ease breathing without harming the tissues.