What Is Cocaine Nose and How Does It Impact the Sinuses?

What Is Cocaine Nose?

Cocaine-induced septal perforation, also widely referred to as cocaine nose, is a condition that results from prolonged use of cocaine via snorting through the nose. Cocaine nose is a severe condition that can damage the nasal tissues and cause chronic sinus infections and frequent nosebleeds. In some cases, it may even cause nasal collapse.

What happens when cocaine is consumed through snorting?

Snorting is one of the many ways cocaine is consumed. When snorted through the nose, it causes the blood vessels lining the sinus and nasal passages to constrict and narrow. This reduces blood flow in the tissues lining the nasal passages, which means they receive less oxygen.

Reduced blood flow in the nasal passages may increase the risk of tissue damage over time, especially with repeated and prolonged cocaine use. This can lead to structural damage and perforations.

When does the damage start?

Cocaine is a toxic, abrasive, and often acidic substance. The damage can potentially begin from the first use.

The nasal and sinus passages have delicate tissues, and snorting an abrasive substance like cocaine can easily irritate them. Repeated use can cause chronic dryness and inflammation.

With repeated use over time, scar tissue can begin forming. And when scar tissue is present, the nose can have a more difficult time healing properly.

Snorting cocaine can cause damage in both the structure and function of the nose, and in some severe cases, may lead to nasal tissue death.

What Are the Common Signs and Symptoms of Cocaine Nose?

Cocaine nose affects both the function and structure of the nose. Some noticeable symptoms include:

• Chronic sinus infections: Consistent snorting of cocaine can cause chronic and persistent sinus infections, due to the consistent damage to the nasal tissues, which prevents proper healing due to constant exposure to the abrasive substance.
• Nasal congestion: When the nasal tissues are constantly exposed to cocaine, it may lead to chronic swelling and inflammation, which can lead to nasal congestion and breathing difficulties due to restricted airflow.
• Chronic nasal pain: Cocaine is an abrasive and harsh substance. Constantly exposing the delicate nasal tissues to this can cause chronic nasal pain. Moreover, the ongoing damage and inability to heal properly can cause a burning sensation in the nasal passages.
• Frequent nosebleeds: Snorting cocaine can rupture the delicate blood vessels lining the sinuses, which can cause frequent nosebleeds.
• Runny nose: Snorting cocaine causes chronic irritation in the sinus passages, which can cause continuous mucus discharge and a persistent runny nose.
• Saddle nose: Consistent cocaine use intranasally may potentially cause a nasal deformity characterized by the widening and flattening of the nose, called a saddle nose. This results from the loss of support in the nasal septum due to constant nasal tissue damage. To fix this deformity, nasal surgery may be required.
• Nasal septum perforation: The constant snorting of cocaine can cause nasal septum perforation, which is the formation of a hole between the nostrils on the septum due to tissue damage. Perforation of the nasal septum is not only physically uncomfortable and painful, but impacts one’s breathing abilities. Nasal surgery may be required to correct and rebuild the damaged nasal structure.
• Palatal perforation: Perforation or damage not only happens to the nasal septum, but also in the oral palate. In rare and severe cases, chronic cocaine use may cause extended damage to the palate and may cause a hole between the mouth and nasal cavity to form, causing food and liquid to leak.

When It’s Time to Seek Help for Chronic Cocaine Use

Cocaine is a highly addictive drug and not only significantly impacts physical health, but also one’s mental health. Consistently snorting the abrasive substance not only damages the structure of the nose but also impacts its function and could take away one’s ability to breathe and smell properly. If you’re dealing with what is known as cocaine nose due to chronic cocaine use, schedule a consultation with Miami Breathe Free today.