Nose sore / scab not healing, very anxious

[Utini]

Before Christmas I had what I thought was a sinus / nasal infection - soreness in my nasal passage on one side, bad tasting post nasal drip, headache, and generally feeling a bit under the weather for a couple of weeks.

It improved, but I'm left with a sort of snot coloured scab that dislodges fairly often when I blow my nose etc, although I'm trying very hard not to disturb it. Still have some post nasal drip, and pain, which I think is getting worse.

GP has tried naseptin cream, and a course of amoxicillin, then when no improvement he swabbed it but nothing came back on the tests. I've now been referred urgently to ENT, I've actually paid for an appointment tomorrow as it was going to be a week and a half wait just for an initial phone call.

Just wondering if anyone has experienced anything similar? I'm feeling massively anxious about this, my GP assures me that cancer is very rare, but I'm feeling so sick with anxiety, not sleeping much and struggling to eat.

Hello. Haven't experienced similar but wanted to wish you luck for tomorrow (its amazing u got an appointment so quickly!). I know its hard bit try not to worry. If your nose is that irriated all the time it might just need something stronger to get it to heal. Viruses can last a long long time. Hope it goes well xx

I’ve had similar that comes and goes. It can’t be anything serious as it hasn’t killer me in ten years.

Hi op. My dad has something called non allergic rhinitis and some nasal polyps in his sinuses. It is basically like having a low level version of the nasal symptoms you get with a cold. From what you describe sounds very similar to what he says it's like. It's not dangerous though, more annoying. An ENT doctor would be able to recognise it easily. It's definitely easy to think the worst but there are lots more common and less dangerous things it could be than cancer. Good luck

Hello op - (not a doctor) so there was no staph on the tests? I’ve had something that sounds very similar to this and it was a recurrent staph infection. Naseptin didn’t work - but something called bactroban did the trick (on prescription). But that would show up on swabs, I think?

No staph or anything else on the swab. I guess it's possible it wasn't a good enough sample - the GP ideally wanted to get the scab but it wasn't ready to come loose. But then amoxicillin should have worked against that unless it's an antibiotic resistant form.

Staph is considered normal in the Jose. Ask for the other cream mentioned above but so be reassured others have the same issue and it’s nothing awful.

Untini how did u get on today?x

I meant Utini

Thanks for thinking of me Dithery, I'm just back from my appointment now. The consultant removed the scab and had a look underneath. He said there's no sign of ulceration or anything suspicious, and thinks it'll just heal in time. He didn't think it was worth scoping me to look further inside as I don't have insurance, he didn't expect to see anything and the NHS can do that if it doesn't go away.

He's suggested I keep my phone appointment with the NHS in a week and see how things go. He's going to write a letter to the GP saying I may need a biopsy if it doesn't clear up by itself, but says not to be alarmed by the letter - he just wants to make sure I stay within the urgent pathway as the wait for anything routine is around 18 months!

Fingers crossed it'll just sort itself out quickly now, I'm wondering if there was an infection that the amoxicillin got rid of, and it's just taking a while to all heal up properly.

Thats good to hear

I’m glad.