In daily life, many people may have experienced blowing out some unusual substances from their nose, and sometimes even finding hard objects coming out of their sinuses. This often causes worry and confusion. What exactly are these hard objects?
Sinus Stones
Sinus stones are a relatively common cause of hard objects coming out of the sinuses. They are usually formed by the long-term accumulation and concentration of secretions, bacteria, fungi, and shed cells within the sinuses, gradually forming hard clumps. These stones vary in size, from as small as a grain of rice to several centimeters in size. Their color also varies, commonly white, yellow, or brown.
The formation of sinus stones is often closely related to chronic inflammation of the sinuses. When the sinuses are inflamed, the secretory function of the sinus mucosa is affected, leading to increased and viscous secretions that are difficult to expel. At the same time, the inflammatory environment provides a breeding ground for the growth of bacteria and fungi, which multiply rapidly in the secretions, further promoting the formation of stones. In addition, some nasal structural abnormalities, such as deviated nasal septum and nasal polyps, can affect sinus ventilation and drainage, making it easier for secretions to remain in the sinuses and increasing the risk of stone formation.
Symptoms of sinus stones are diverse. Besides the discharge of hard material, patients may also experience nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge, headache, and decreased sense of smell. If the stone is large, it may also compress surrounding tissues, causing facial pain, numbness, and other discomfort. Diagnosis of sinus stones usually requires imaging examinations such as sinus CT scans, which can clearly show the location, size, and shape of the stone. Treatment mainly involves surgical removal of the stone, along with appropriate treatment for sinus inflammation to prevent recurrence.
Hard crusts formed from residual foreign bodies in the nasal cavity
Sometimes, small foreign objects, such as dust, pollen, or small food particles, may accidentally enter the nasal cavity. Inside the nasal cavity, these foreign objects can irritate the nasal mucosa, causing an inflammatory reaction. To clear these foreign objects, the nasal mucosa secretes a large amount of mucus to coat them. Over time, this mucus, containing the foreign object, dries and hardens, forming a crust.
These crusts may adhere to the openings of the sinuses. When the pressure inside the nasal cavity changes, such as when blowing the nose or sneezing, the crusts may flow out of the sinuses. Besides crusts, patients may also experience a foreign body sensation in the nasal cavity, itching, and occasionally mild nasal congestion. Generally, if the crust is small and superficial, it can be expelled by gently blowing the nose. However, if the crust is large or deep, do not try to remove it yourself, as this may damage the nasal mucosa, causing bleeding or infection. It is advisable to go to the hospital for a doctor to remove it using specialized tools.
Fungal Masses
The warm, moist environment inside the sinuses provides excellent conditions for fungal growth. When the body's immunity is weakened, such as in cases of diabetes, long-term use of antibiotics or immunosuppressants, fungi can easily multiply in the sinuses, forming fungal masses. These fungal clumps are hard in texture and may appear white, gray, or black, sometimes accompanied by a foul odor.
Besides the discharge of fungal clumps, patients with fungal sinusitis often experience severe nasal congestion, purulent nasal discharge (which may contain blood streaks), and significant headaches, which are usually dull or throbbing and worsen during the day and lessen at night. Diagnosis of fungal sinusitis relies on symptoms, as well as sinus CT scans and fungal cultures of nasal secretions. Treatment options include local or systemic antifungal medications for milder cases; for severe cases with large fungal clumps, surgical removal of the clumps and improvement of sinus ventilation and drainage may be necessary.
The hard material draining from the sinuses may be sinus stones, crusts formed from residual foreign bodies in the nasal cavity, or fungal clumps. If this occurs, do not panic, but do not ignore it either. Seek medical attention promptly for a professional examination to determine the cause and receive targeted treatment under the guidance of a doctor to ensure the health of the nasal cavity and sinuses.
