Symptoms
The diagnosis of an inflammation of the nose can in most cases be made by the family doctor in charge. If a nasal furuncle is suspected, a dermatologist can also be consulted. The anamnesis is in the foreground of the diagnosis in case of suspected inflammation of the nose.
In this doctor-patient consultation, all symptoms associated with the inflammation of the nose should be mentioned so that the correct diagnosis can be made. In particular, the distinction between a cold and the presence of an allergy can be easily made with the help of the medical history. This may be followed by a physical examination of the affected person.
Especially the question whether the sinuses are also affected can be found out by the doctor by means of simple tests. This involves applying light external pressure to the sinuses, whereby it is almost certain that there is an inflammation of the sinuses if pain occurs. If the medical history confirms the suspicion of an allergy to certain pollen or other allergens, an allergy test can be performed.
This is usually carried out by a dermatologist or allergologist. During the test, typical pathogens are applied to the skin in concentrated form as drops. By means of a small pointed object, the skin under this drop is injured.
After about 20 minutes, the reaction of the skin at the various points is assessed and, if necessary, the diagnosis of an allergy to certain allergens is confirmed. The diagnosis of a nasal furuncle is usually made by a dermatologist or alternatively by the treating family doctor. The diagnosis of this inflammation is a visual diagnosis. This means that the physician can usually detect a nasal furuncle without the need for further diagnostic tools. Under certain circumstances, a smear of the affected area is taken to find out which pathogen is responsible for the inflammation.
Therapy
The treatment of an inflammation of the nose depends on the diagnosis made by the doctor. In the case of an inflammation of the nose, which can be traced back to a cold, in most cases only symptomatic therapy is necessary. In most cases, colds are caused by viruses, which is why the administration of antibiotics, which are only effective against bacteria, would have no effect in this case.
The symptomatic therapy of a cold is mainly done by taking decongestant nose drops. These help to soothe the mucous membrane of the nose, which facilitates nasal breathing and reduces nasal flow. Inhalations, for example with saltwater solutions, can also relieve the symptoms of a cold.
Should pain occur during the cold, the intake of pain-relieving medication can be helpful. If sinusitis is present at the same time, an antibiotic can also be prescribed, depending on the assessment of the treating physician. If bacteria are the trigger of the inflammation, therapy with these antibacterial drugs can lead to a rapid relief of the symptoms.
If an allergy is diagnosed and blamed for the inflammation of the nose, certain medications can help to relieve the symptoms during the season. In particular, second generation histamine H1-receptor blockers, in the form of nose drops or tablets, can improve the inflammation of the nose. The treatment of nasal furuncle usually involves the administration of an antibiotic.
Depending on the individual picture of the inflammation, this can be applied locally or taken systemically. In principle, a combination of these forms of administration is also possible. It is important to get the inflammation under control quickly, as complications can arise, which can sometimes be serious. For this reason, if a nasal furuncle is suspected, a visit to the doctor should be made as soon as possible.
