Can rhinitis cause the nose to become larger?

In general, rhinitis does not directly cause the nose to enlarge. However, some types of rhinitis, if left untreated for a prolonged period, may indirectly affect the appearance of the nose.

During rhinitis flare-ups, the nasal mucosa becomes congested and swollen, leading to a narrowing of the nasal passages and resulting in nasal obstruction. This swelling is temporary and subsides as the rhinitis improves, without altering the actual size of the nose.

Some forms of rhinitis, such as chronic hypertrophic rhinitis, may lead to persistent thickening of the nasal mucosa and even cause enlargement of the nasal turbinates if long-standing and inadequately treated. Enlargement of the turbinates might make the nose appear larger, but this is not due to changes in the nasal bone or cartilage itself, rather it results from soft tissue proliferation.

Patients with rhinitis often experience nasal congestion and may frequently blow their nose. Chronic and forceful nose-blowing might have some minor effects on the nasal soft tissues and bones, but these effects are generally insignificant and unlikely to cause noticeable enlargement of the nose. Rhinitis itself does not directly cause nasal enlargement; however, the inflammatory response within the nasal cavity, long-term structural changes, and skin reactions due to external forces may alter the nose's appearance. For patients with rhinitis, timely medical consultation, effective treatment to control inflammation, and avoidance of不良 lifestyle habits can help prevent such occurrences.