How common is septal perforation from cocaine?

Overall, 104 patients (75 male, 29 female, aged between 16 and 54 years), all habitual inhaling cocaine users (≥ 10 times per month) have been observed for 2 years. Of these, 11 (10.5%) had nasal septal perforation, which is a frequent complication related to cocaine use.

Can a hole in your septum heal?

Can a perforated septum heal on its own? Sometimes, but it primarily depends upon the size of the hole, the location of the perforation and the extent of the tissue damage. It’s unlikely that a perforated septum will completely heal on its own, and in many cases, it’s more likely to get worse.

What should I do if I have a hole in my septum?

If the hole in your septum is really bothering you, you may need surgery. Your doctor may take tissue from another part of your body (inside your nose or another part) and sew it into the hole. Or they may use tissue to create a flap that covers the hole.

How do I know if I have a perforated septum?

A perforated septum doesn’t always cause any symptoms, but they can include nosebleeds, trouble breathing, and the feeling that your nose is blocked up. You might make a whistling sound as you breathe. About half the time, this happens after you’ve had surgery to fix a different problem in your nose.

Will a septal perforation get bigger?

Repeated cycles of crusting and bleeding along the edges of the perforation can erode the lining tissue and residual cartilage along the edges of the perforation, allowing it to enlarge. Heightened problems with airflow.

Does a perforated septum smell?

Septal perforation occurs most commonly along the anterior cartilaginous septum. Symptoms can include nasal obstruction, whistling, epistaxis, crusting, pain, rhinorrhea, chronic rhinosinusitis, or foul smell.

What causes a hole in your nasal septum?

A hole or perforation of your nasal septum can occur as an unwanted result of previous nasal surgery, a chemical insult to the membranes, or from a nasal fracture or other nose injury. The long term use of certain steroid or other nose sprays has even been linked to this problem.