In most cases, the body is naturally capable of healing and shedding debris without any external assistance. However, the healing process can be expedited with gentle intervention. Following your rhinoplasty surgery,you be will provided with specific cleaning instructions to help guide you so that you are able to clean your nose without causing any disruption to the healing tissue. The following items are what we at Solomon Facial Plastic recommend as part of your cleaning protocol beginning the day following your rhinoplasty surgery.
Polysporin
Polysporin ointment is typically used to soften any blood clots or hardened blood as well as to prevent infection. You may use a cotton swab to liberally spread the polysporin ointment on the inside of the nostrils each time you clean your nose with hydrogen peroxide, twice per day, morning and night.
Cleaning With Q-Tip And Hydrogen Peroxide
Hydrogen peroxide is a commonly used antiseptic substance used to clean body tissues and can be used the day after your rhinoplasty surgery. This agent can destroy most of the common pathogenic organisms. It may be sold in pharmacies as dihydrogen dioxide, or peroxide solution at concentrations of about 3%. A clean cotton swab moistented with hydrogen peroxide can be inserted gently into the nostril to remove any dried blood and mucous. However, avoid using the cotton swab if there is a packing placed in your nose as it may alter the shape of your nose by dislocating the material further into your nostrils. Be sure to use a mirror when you are performing this step in order to see where you are directing the cotton swab and avoid mishaps.
Wash With Normal Saline
Nasal irrigation with saline can be used the day after your rhinoplasty surgery as well. The use of saline spray will help irrigate your nasal passage, keeping it moist, while also helping with nasal congestion. Dr. Solomon recommends using 2 squirts per nostril, 4 times a day.
Removing Clots
Immediately following surgery, your nose may become blocked by blood clots or hardened mucous leading to a blockage of the airway. The block results in labored breathing and activation of oral breathing (breathing through the mouth). Removal of the clot by blowing the nose or manually removing by inserting a finger/cotton swab should be avoided. Instead, it is recommended to use saline to help loosen it, which will also keep the lining moist.
One week to 10 days following your rhinoplasty surgery, your splint and most sutures will be removed making it much easier for you to wash your entire face including your nose, as gently as possible.
For more information about how to care for your nose post rhinoplasty surgery, you can visit our video gallery.
Sep 19th 2017