Nasal Polyps: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Nasal Polyps?
An ear, nose, and throat doctor, also called an ENT or otolaryngologist, usually treats nasal polyps. An allergist, a doctor who treats allergies, may also help. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What are nasal polyps?
Nasal polyps are soft, sac-like growths on the lining of the nose or sinuses. The sinuses are the air pockets around your nose. Nasal polyps are not cancer. They are painless and not usually serious.
Small polyps may not cause any problems. Large polyps can block your sinuses or nasal airway. Polyps can keep growing and block your nose if they are not treated.
Symptoms
If you have small polyps, you may not have any symptoms. If polyps block your nasal passages, a sinus infection can develop. Symptoms can include:
- A runny nose, a stuffed up nose, or a feeling that your nose is blocked.
- Sneezing.
- Loss of smell or taste.
- Snoring.
- Postnasal drip, which is the feeling that mucus is slowly dripping down the back of your throat.
- Headache and pain, if you also have a sinus infection.
With polyps, you may feel like you always have a head cold. Colds tend to clear up within a few days, but nasal polyps will not get better unless they are treated.
Causes and who gets it
No one knows exactly why some people get nasal polyps. They seem to grow because of long-term swelling and inflammation in the nose from allergies, asthma, or infection.
You may be more likely to get nasal polyps if you have aspirin sensitivity, asthma, long-term sinus infections, cystic fibrosis, or hay fever. Nasal polyps are rare in children.
How doctors diagnose it
A doctor should be able to tell if you have nasal polyps by looking inside your nose. Your provider will examine the inside of your nose and mouth. Polyps look like a grayish grape-shaped growth in the nasal cavity.
You may need to see an ENT specialist who can look in your nose with special tools. They may also do a nasal endoscopy, an exam that shows the full extent of the polyps. You may have a CT scan of your sinuses, where polyps appear as cloudy spots.
Polyps that seem to be on only one side of the nose raise suspicion of a different problem.
Treatment
Medicines may help relieve symptoms, but they rarely get rid of nasal polyps. Options include:
- Nasal steroid sprays can sometimes shrink polyps and help clear a blocked nose and runny nose. Symptoms return if treatment is stopped.
- Steroid pills or liquid may also shrink polyps and reduce swelling. The effect lasts a few months in most cases.
- Allergy medicines can help prevent polyps from growing back.
- Antibiotics can treat a sinus infection caused by bacteria. They cannot treat polyps or sinus infections caused by a virus.
- Salt water rinses, called saline irrigation, are a safe and inexpensive way to help unblock the nose.
Doctors should use steroid pills carefully to avoid unwanted side effects. Follow your doctor's advice about how to use your medicine and how long to take it.
If medicines do not work, or you have very large polyps, you may need surgery to remove them. Endoscopic sinus surgery is often used. The surgeon puts a thin, lighted tube with instruments into your nasal passages and removes the polyps. Usually you can go home the same day. Polyps may come back, even after surgery. Possible complications may include bleeding and infection.
Sometimes biologics are used to keep polyps from coming back. Biologics are medicines called monoclonal antibodies, which target a specific protein to control the disease process.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you think you may have nasal polyps, if your symptoms are getting worse, or if you notice changes to your sense of smell. Call 911 or go to the emergency room if you have trouble breathing. Contact your provider if you often find it hard to breathe through your nose.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either type of doctor can review your symptoms, ask about allergies and asthma, and refer you to an ENT doctor when needed.
Common questions
Are nasal polyps cancer?
No, nasal polyps are not cancer. They are soft, sac-like growths on the lining of the nose or sinuses.
Do nasal polyps go away on their own?
Usually not, because nasal polyps will not get better unless they are treated. Small polyps may not cause any problems.
Can nasal polyps come back after surgery?
Yes, polyps may come back, even after surgery. It is common for polyps to grow back, usually within a few years. You may need to keep using a steroid nasal spray after surgery to stop the polyps returning quickly.
Can nasal polyps affect my sense of smell?
Yes, nasal polyps can cause loss of smell and loss of taste. Loss of smell or taste does not always improve after treatment with medicine or surgery.
Can nasal polyps be prevented?
No, you cannot prevent nasal polyps. However, nasal sprays, antihistamines, and allergy shots may help prevent polyps that block your airway. Treating sinus infections right away also may help.
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Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
