Nasal flaring

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Nasal flaring

Sense of smell

Overview

Treatment

Nasal flaring

Alternative Names:

Flaring of the alae nasi (nostrils); Nostrils - flaring

Home Care:

For any sign of difficulty breathing, emergency help should be sought immediately.

Call your health care provider if:

There is any persistent, unexplained nasal flaring, especially in a young child.
Bluish color develops in the lips, nail beds, or skin. This indicates that breathing difficulty is severe and may indicate that an emergency condition is developing.
You have any suspicion that your child is having trouble breathing.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

The health care provider will perform a physical exam to determine if the flaring is due to upper or lower respiratory problems. Medical history questions may include:

When did it start?
Is the person getting better or worse?
Does the person look blue?
Is the breathing noisy or are there wheezing sounds?
Are there grunting noises with the breathing?
Does the person look like they are working hard to breathe?
Are they getting tired or sweaty?
Do the muscles of the stomach, shoulders, or rib cage need to be used when the person is breathing (see intercostal retractions)?
What other symptoms are present?

Physical examination will include careful listening to the breath sounds (auscultation).

The following tests may be performed:

Arterial blood gas analysis
CBC (blood test)
ECG
X-rays of the chest

The patient may be given oxygen.

Review Date: 5/10/2006
Reviewed By: Daniel Rauch, MD, FAAP, Director, Pediatric Hospitalist Program, Associate Professor of Pediatrics, NYU School of Medicine, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2004 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.