Why Is One Side of My Nose Blocked?
- Apr 6
- 4 min read
Updated: 8 hours ago
A very common reason patients seek ENT or rhinoplasty assessment is simple:
Sometimes it swaps sides. Sometimes it’s always the same side.Sometimes sprays don’t help. If this sounds familiar, you are not alone — and in many cases, there is a structural reason for it. As a Consultant ENT & Rhinology Surgeon in Hampshire, this is one of the most common problems I assess during functional septorhinoplasty consultations.
The Nasal Cycle – A Normal Cause of Side-to-Side Blockage
First, it’s important to understand that the nose naturally blocks and unblocks from side to side throughout the day. This is called the nasal cycle.
The turbinates (soft tissue structures inside the nose) naturally swell and shrink in cycles every few hours, meaning:
One side feels clearer
The other side feels more blocked
This is normal.
However, if one side is always worse, there is usually an underlying structural issue.
Common Causes of One-Sided Nasal Blockage
1️⃣ Deviated Septum
The septum is the cartilage and bone dividing the nose into left and right sides.If it is bent or deviated, it can narrow one side of the airway.
Typical symptoms:
One side always blocked
Worse when lying on one side
Mouth breathing at night
Poor sleep
Exercise intolerance
Septal deviation is one of the most common causes of one-sided nasal obstruction.
2️⃣ Nasal Valve Collapse
The nasal valve is the narrowest part of the airway. If the cartilage here is weak or narrow, the sidewall can collapse inward when breathing in.
Patients often say:
“I can breathe better if I pull my cheek sideways.”
This is a classic sign of nasal valve collapse, and it will not improve with nasal sprays because it is a structural problem.
3️⃣ Turbinate Enlargement
Turbinates are soft tissue structures that help warm and humidify air.Sometimes they become enlarged due to:
Allergies
Chronic inflammation
Rhinitis
If the septum is deviated, the turbinate on the wider side often becomes enlarged, making the blockage worse.
4️⃣ Previous Injury
A broken nose or childhood trauma can cause:
Crooked nasal bones
Twisted septum
Narrowing of one airway
Even if the nose looks straight externally, the inside may be significantly deviated.
5️⃣ Previous Septoplasty That Didn’t Fix the Problem
Some patients have already had septoplasty but still feel blocked.
This is often because the real problem was:
Nasal valve collapse
External deviation
Structural narrowing
In these cases, functional septorhinoplasty rather than repeat septoplasty may be required.
Why Nasal Sprays Sometimes Don’t Work
Nasal steroid sprays help inflammation and turbinate swelling.
They do not fix:
Deviated septum
Nasal valve collapse
Crooked nose
Structural narrowing
If you have used a steroid spray properly for 3 months and still cannot breathe well through one side, a structural cause should be considered.
How Is One-Sided Blockage Fixed?
Treatment depends on the cause, but may include:
Septoplasty (straightening the septum)
Turbinate reduction
Nasal valve support
Functional septorhinoplasty (correcting structure and breathing together)
The key is diagnosing the correct cause before surgery.
When Should You Seek Specialist Assessment?
You should consider assessment if:
One side is always blocked
You breathe better pulling your cheek sideways
Sprays don’t work
You had septoplasty but still can’t breathe
Your nose is crooked
You mouth breathe at night
Assessment is available with Mr Tim Biggs, Consultant ENT & Rhinology Surgeon specialising in nasal obstruction and functional septorhinoplasty.
Consultations take place at Adnova Clinic, with patients attending from Portsmouth, Southampton, Winchester and across Hampshire.
Final Thoughts
If one side of your nose is blocked, the most important step is identifying why.
In many patients, the issue is structural rather than inflammatory — and once the structure is corrected, breathing can improve significantly.
To enquire or book an assessment:
📍 Adnova Clinic
More information:
One Side of My Nose Is Blocked – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why is one side of my nose always blocked?
The most common reasons one side of the nose feels blocked are:
A deviated septum
Nasal valve collapse
Turbinate enlargement
Previous nasal injury
Structural narrowing inside the nose
If the blockage is always on the same side, there is often a structural cause rather than just inflammation.
What is the nasal cycle?
The nasal cycle is a normal process where the turbinates inside the nose swell and shrink alternately every few hours. This means:
One side feels clearer
The other side feels more blocked
This is normal. However, if one side is consistently worse, this usually indicates a structural problem such as a deviated septum.
Will nasal sprays fix a blocked nostril?
Nasal steroid sprays help with inflammation and turbinate swelling, but they do not fix structural problems such as:
Deviated septum
Nasal valve collapse
Crooked nasal bones
Structural airway narrowing
If you have used a steroid spray correctly for 3 months and still cannot breathe through one side, the cause is often structural.
How do I know if I have nasal valve collapse?
A classic sign of nasal valve collapse is:
“I can breathe better if I pull my cheek sideways.”
This is called a positive Cottle manoeuvre and suggests the sidewall of the nose is collapsing inward during breathing. This usually requires nasal valve support surgery, not sprays.
Why am I still blocked after septoplasty?
If you are still blocked after septoplasty, the cause may be:
Nasal valve collapse
External nasal deviation
Turbinate enlargement
Incomplete structural correction
In these cases, a functional septorhinoplasty may be required rather than repeat septoplasty alone.
What surgery fixes one-sided nasal blockage?
Treatment depends on the cause, but may include:
Septoplasty
Turbinate reduction
Nasal valve reconstruction
Functional septorhinoplasty
The most important step is correct diagnosis before surgery.
When should I see a specialist about a blocked nose?
You should consider specialist assessment if:
One side is always blocked
You breathe better pulling your cheek sideways
Nasal sprays don’t work
You had septoplasty but are still blocked
Your nose is crooked
You mouth breathe at night
Who treats one-sided nasal blockage in Hampshire?
Assessment and treatment for nasal obstruction and one-sided nasal blockage are provided by Mr Tim Biggs, Consultant ENT & Rhinology Surgeon.Consultations take place at Adnova Clinic, with patients attending from Portsmouth, Southampton, Winchester and across Hampshire.
Key takeaway
If one side of your nose is always blocked, the cause is often structural rather than inflammatory.Once the underlying structural problem is correctly identified and treated, breathing can often improve significantly.
