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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staff
A deviated septum occurs when your nasal septum — the thin wall that separates your right and left nasal passages — is displaced to one side.
A deviated septum can be caused by:
- A condition present at birth. In some cases, a deviated septum occurs during fetal development and is apparent at birth.
- Injury to the nose. A deviated septum can also be the result of an injury that causes the nasal septum to be knocked out of position. In infants, such an injury may occur during childbirth. In children and adults, a wide array of accidents may lead to a nose injury and deviated septum — from tripping on a step to colliding with another person on the sidewalk. Trauma to the nose most commonly occurs during contact sports, active play or roughhousing, or automobile accidents.
Normal aging may also cause nasal tip cartilage to deteriorate, aggravating a deviated septum over time.
References
- Fact sheet: Deviated septum. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/deviatedSeptum.cfm. Accessed April 27, 2011.
- Wang MB. Structural causes of nasal symptoms: An overview. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 27, 2011.
- Septal deviation and perforation. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec08/ch091/ch091f.html. Accessed April 27, 2011.
- Ketcham AM, et al. Complications and management of septoplasty. Otolaryngology Clinics of North America. 2010;43:897.
- Nasal congestion and rhinorrhea. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/print/sec08/ch089/ch089c.html. Accessed April 27, 2011.
- Antihistamines, decongestants and cold remedies. American Academy of Otolaryngology — Head and Neck Surgery. http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/coldRemedies.cfm. Accessed April 29, 2011.
- Corticosteroid (nasal route). Micromedex Healthcare Series. http://www.micromedex.com. Accessed May 3, 2011.
- Wilson MA, et al. Extracorporeal septoplasty. Archives of Facial Plastic Surgery. 2011;13:85.
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