Question: Can using Flonase for a month cure my deviated septum? Or is there another medicine for a deviated septum
Answer:
Unfortunately, there is no medicine for a deviated septum, though some medications can relieve some of the symptoms.
The nasal septum is a wall that separates the nasal passages into 2 chambers. The septum is never completely straight, but if it is twisted enough it can block the airflow through the nose by going from side to side as we go back through the airway. The nasal septum is cartilage up front and bone as we go further back in the nasal airway.
Flonase (fluticasone) is one of many available nasal steroids. These medications present a small amount of steroids in a spray form the lining of the nose. Unlike some other over the counter medications like Afrin (oxymetazoline), they take a few days to work and do not get the user “hooked” by creating a rebound worsening after use. Nasal steroid sprays bring down swelling locally, but will not change the underlying structure.
We do often try Flonase and other nasal steroids in patients with a deviated septum. Often, the twisted septum will cause irritation to the nasal lining and therefore some swelling in the lining, further blocking the breathing passages. The sprays may be successful in bringing down the swelling enough to improve the airway- without actually affecting the structure of the septum.
Straightening the septum should only be done if it is causing problems, such as nasal obstruction, recurrent sinus infections or nose bleeds. The surgery is generally quite successful.
Straightening the nasal septum (septoplasty) is a surgical procedure- done in the operating room as an outpatient. It is done totally inside the nose- and does NOT change the appearance of the nose. We at the NY Sinus Center do not use any packing (gauze in the nose) after sinus center. Many use the complaints of their deviated septum to also have rhinoplasty done- that does change the appearance and is a cosmetic surgery- while rhinoplasty is generally not necessary for straightening the septum-straightening the septum is often necessary to get the best result if we do rhinoplastic surgery.
I hope this clears things up.
Robert Pincus MD
C0-Director NY Sinus Center
Associate Professor NYMC
Frequently Asked Questions
Flonase cannot cure a deviated septum because it does not change the structural alignment of the nasal septum. Instead, it helps reduce inflammation and swelling of the nasal lining, which can temporarily improve airflow if swelling is contributing to nasal blockage.
There are no medications that can correct the physical deviation of the nasal septum. Medications like nasal steroid sprays may relieve symptoms by reducing inflammation, but structural correction requires surgical intervention called septoplasty.
Septoplasty is a surgical procedure to straighten the nasal septum, typically recommended for patients experiencing nasal obstruction, recurrent sinus infections, or nosebleeds caused by septal deviation. The surgery is performed inside the nose and does not alter the nose's external appearance.
No, septoplasty is performed entirely inside the nose and does not change the nose’s external appearance. Cosmetic changes to the nose require a separate procedure called rhinoplasty.
Unlike decongestants such as Afrin, nasal steroid sprays like Flonase do not cause dependency or rebound congestion. They take several days to work and help reduce local inflammation safely without worsening symptoms after stopping.
Doctors often recommend nasal steroids like Flonase to reduce swelling and irritation of the nasal lining caused by a deviated septum. This can improve nasal airflow by decreasing inflammation, even though the underlying septal deviation remains unchanged.
Rhinoplasty is not necessary for straightening a deviated septum but may be performed concurrently for cosmetic reasons. Septoplasty alone corrects the septal deviation and improves nasal function without altering external nasal appearance.
