I am a 63 year old male and I have been troubled by a lot of hard and dry mucus forming
in my nose since youth. Are there any specific causes for this condition and how can I treat it?
Dr Aw Chong Yin, Specialist in Ear, Nose & Throat Surgery, Raffles Hospital
Our facial bones are hollow honey-combed cavities which connects to the nasal passages
through small openings. The lining of these sinuses produces mucus to cleanse the nasal passages. Sinusitis is the
result of infection of these sinuses. We are proned to sinusitis as their drainage is poor and the nasal passages
are frequently exposed to environmental challenges like virus, bacteria, allergens and dust.
A long-term nasal discharge occurs because the sinuses are filled with mucus that makes draining
difficult. Repeated infections will add to the severity of it as the amount of mucus increases and the quality
worsened.
Sinusitis is usually treated initially with medicine - oral antibiotics, anti-histamines and nasal
sprays. If conservative measures fail or if the patient has significant structural obstruction blocking the
sinuses, e.g deviated septum, then surgery becomes the treatment of choice for a more permanent solution.
It would be good if you wear a mask if people you come in contact with have flu. Taking medicine early
when having a flu can also minimise sinusitis and the resultant nasal discharge.
In your case, you probably have sinusitis in view of the long-standing nasal discharge.
Hence, it is recommended that you have an endoscopy done by an ENT surgeon and possibly a CT sinus done to assess
the condition. From the findings of the endoscopy and the CT scans you would then know how to better improve your
condition.