Nose & SinusShort Guide

Nasal Symptoms That Should Not Wait for a Routine Appointment

Most nasal symptoms are harmless. A few patterns—especially symptoms confined to one side, or symptoms involving the eye, face or nervous system—deserve earlier assessment.

Dr. Akansha Tewari, ENT specialist, LucknowDr. Akansha Tewari
September 2026 3 min read
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नाक के ज़्यादातर लक्षण साधारण होते हैं, लेकिन एक तरफ लगातार नाक बंद रहना या खून आना, चेहरे में सुन्नपन, आंखों में बदलाव या तेज़ सिरदर्द जैसे संकेत जल्दी जांच मांगते हैं।

Medical illustration of a patient with one-sided nasal bleeding, facial discomfort and eye-area symptoms during an ENT consultation
One-sided nasal symptoms, nosebleeds, and eye or facial changes need prompt assessment — HealthNest Clinc, Lucknow

Symptoms to act on

  • Persistent or progressive blockage of one nostril
  • Blood-stained discharge or repeated nosebleeds from the same side
  • Cheek numbness or facial swelling, loosening teeth, or suddenly ill-fitting dentures
  • Eye symptoms such as bulging, double or reduced vision, redness, or swelling
  • Swelling at the inner corner of the eye or persistent watering of one eye
  • Severe headache with frontal swelling, confusion, neck stiffness, or any new neurological symptom alongside sinus symptoms
  • A persistent foul smell only you can perceive, or persistent one-sided crusting

Important: Severe headache with confusion, neck stiffness, frontal swelling or a new neurological symptom needs emergency assessment—not an outpatient booking.

These symptoms do not prove a serious condition. They are signs that an examination should happen sooner instead of waiting through another course of medication. An ENT assessment may include nasal endoscopy when a closer look is needed.

Dr. Akansha Tewari, ENT, vertigo and allergy specialist, Lucknow
Written and reviewed by Dr. Akansha Tewari MS ENT Gold Medalist (KGMU) · DNB Otorhinolaryngology · Fellowship in Asthma, Allergy & Immunology (Global Allergy Programme). Dr. Tewari runs HealthNest Clinic, an ENT, vertigo and allergy clinic in Golf City, Lucknow. Read full profile →

This article is for general patient education and does not replace individual medical advice, examination or emergency care.