When does persistent nasal blockage need medical assessment?
Nasal blockage commonly accompanies a cold, allergy, inflammation or structural causes and does not alone indicate serious disease. Persistent or worsening blockage, particularly one-sided or with recurrent bleeding, deserves examination rather than waiting a fixed three months.
Details
What helps identify the cause?
Describe duration, sleep and smell changes, facial pain, discharge or blood, and sprays used. Nasal examination or ENT referral may be needed; not every simple episode requires imaging.
Treatment depends on diagnosis
Saline care or allergy treatment may help, while overuse of certain decongestants causes rebound blockage. Coloured mucus alone is not a reason to start antibiotics. Do not combine sprays without checking ingredients.
Notice associated symptoms
Persistent one-sided blockage with bleeding, a lump or worsening pain needs assessment. Swelling around an eye, altered vision or severe headache with systemic deterioration requires urgent care. These features do not prove a tumour, but should be examined.
Related reading: What causes frequent sneezing, and when is treatment needed?.