In-office procedure aftercare.
Find the procedure you had below for what to expect, what to avoid, and how to care for your nose afterward. Most in-office procedures share the same essentials — start here, then open your specific procedure.
+Post-op essentials — read this for any procedureBleeding · medications · activity · when to call
Bleeding
Expect mild bleeding or blood-tinged drainage for 1–2 days. If steady bleeding occurs: relax, tip your head back, and breathe deeply through your nose. You may soak a cotton ball with Afrin (oxymetazoline), place it against the bleeding side, and pinch your nostrils closed with thumb and forefinger for 3–5 minutes. If bleeding continues, leave the cotton ball in place for 30 minutes, then remove.
Medications to avoid (2 weeks)
Continue to avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements for two weeks: NSAIDs (Advil, Motrin, ibuprofen, Aleve/naproxen), aspirin, and Omega-3 / Vitamin E / Vitamin D / herbal supplements. If you take a prescription blood thinner for a heart or clotting condition, do not stop it — ask Dr. Iloreta when it is safe to restart.
Pain
Some nasal pressure and pain over the first several days is normal. Tylenol or Extra-Strength Tylenol (acetaminophen) is effective and safe. If you were prescribed a stronger pain medication, follow that prescription exactly — do not drive, operate machinery, or drink alcohol while taking it.
Activity
Avoid straining (especially on the toilet), heavy lifting (over 20 lbs), and strenuous exercise until cleared by Dr. Iloreta. Keep to light activity for the first few days. Avoid smoking entirely — it increases congestion and irritation and delays healing.
Call the office if you have
- Heavy bleeding that does not stop with the steps above
- Fever over 101.5°F, worsening pain, or thick foul-smelling discharge
- Vision changes, severe swelling around the eye, or a stiff neck
+Balloon SinuplastyIn-office sinus dilation
Balloon sinuplasty dilates the natural opening of your sinuses so they drain more effectively and so saline irrigations can reach them more easily — no tissue removal, no cutting.
What to expect
- Mild bleeding for 1–2 days (see Post-op essentials for how to manage it).
- Nasal pressure or pain for the first several days — Tylenol is effective and safe.
- Increased nasal discharge for the first few weeks. This is normal and expected.
What to avoid
- Heavy nose-blowing, straining, lifting over 20 lbs, and strenuous exercise until cleared.
- Smoking, which delays healing.
Caring for your nose
You may resume your saline or steroid irrigations / nasal sprays the day after your procedure. If a steroid-eluting stent was placed, you may be told to wait before irrigating — follow that instruction. See the sinus irrigation how-to below.
+PolypectomyIn-office removal of nasal polyps
A polypectomy removes polyps that were obstructing your sinus openings.
What to expect
- Mild bleeding for 1–2 days.
- Nasal pressure or pain for the first several days. If you were prescribed a stronger pain medicine (for example Tylenol #3, which contains codeine), do not drive, operate machinery, or drink alcohol while taking it. Plain Tylenol is also effective and safe.
- Increased nasal discharge for the first few weeks — normal and expected.
What to avoid
- Straining, lifting over 20 lbs, and strenuous exercise until cleared by Dr. Iloreta. Light nose-blowing is okay; if you must sneeze, sneeze with your mouth open.
- If a steroid-eluting stent was placed, refrain from nose-blowing for 1 week.
- Smoking.
Caring for your nose
You may resume irrigations 2–3 days after the procedure. You will return for a follow-up visit about 6 weeks later.
+Polypectomy + Balloon SinuplastyCombined in-office procedure
This combines balloon dilation of the sinus openings with removal of obstructing polyps.
What to expect
- Mild bleeding for 1–2 days.
- Nasal pressure or pain for the first several days. You may have been prescribed a stronger pain medication (such as Percocet or Tylenol #3, which contains codeine). Do not drive, operate machinery, or drink alcohol while taking narcotic medication. Plain Tylenol is also effective and safe.
- Increased nasal discharge for the first few weeks.
What to avoid
- Straining, lifting over 20 lbs, and strenuous exercise until cleared. Light nose-blowing is okay; sneeze with your mouth open.
- Steroid-infiltrated gel packing was placed in both nasal cavities — refrain from nose-blowing for 1 week.
- Smoking, which can cause scarring in the sinus cavity and delay healing.
Caring for your nose
Resume saline irrigations the day after your procedure, then add steroid irrigations (budesonide or mometasone) 1 week after. Follow-up is at 4–6 weeks.
+Turbinate ReductionFor chronic nasal congestion
Turbinate reduction shrinks enlarged turbinate tissue (hypertrophy) to relieve congestion and improve your ability to breathe through your nose.
What to expect
- Mild bleeding for 1–2 days.
- Nasal pressure or pain for several days — Tylenol is effective and safe.
- Increased congestion for the first few weeks. Breathing typically returns to normal in 2–3 weeks as swelling subsides.
What to avoid
- Straining, lifting over 20 lbs, and strenuous exercise until cleared. Light nose-blowing is okay.
- Smoking.
- Afrin: used more than 3 days in a row it causes rebound congestion — you will likely be advised to stop it.
Caring for your nose
Resume saline or steroid irrigations the day after to keep the nose moist and ease congestion. Follow-up is at 4–6 weeks.
+ClariFix — Posterior Nasal Nerve CryoablationFor chronic runny nose & post-nasal drip
ClariFix freezes the posterior nasal nerves to calm the overactive signaling that drives a chronic runny, drippy nose and post-nasal drip.
What to expect
- Mild bleeding for 1–2 days.
- Nasal pressure or pain for several days — Tylenol is effective and safe.
- Increased congestion for the first few weeks. Breathing returns to normal in 2–3 weeks as swelling subsides.
What to avoid
- Straining, lifting over 20 lbs, and strenuous exercise until cleared. Light nose-blowing is okay.
- Smoking.
- Afrin: avoid using it more than 3 days in a row (rebound congestion).
Caring for your nose
Resume saline or steroid irrigations the day after to keep the nose moist. Follow-up is at 4–6 weeks.
+Neuromark — Radiofrequency Nerve AblationFor chronic congestion & runny nose
The Neuromark system applies controlled low-power radiofrequency (RF) energy to targeted areas of the nasal cavity, disrupting the parasympathetic nerve signals that drive inflammation — reducing congestion and runny nose.
What to expect
- Mild bleeding for 1–2 days.
- Nasal pressure or pain for several days — Tylenol is effective and safe.
- Increased congestion for the first few weeks; breathing returns to normal in 2–3 weeks.
What to avoid
- Straining, lifting over 20 lbs, and strenuous exercise until cleared. Light nose-blowing is okay.
- Smoking.
- Afrin: avoid using it more than 3 days in a row.
Caring for your nose
Resume saline or steroid irrigations the day after. Follow-up is at 4–6 weeks.
+Eustachian Tube Balloon DilationFor ear pressure & fullness
This procedure widens the opening of your Eustachian tube to relieve pressure in the ear.
What to expect
- Ear pressure and pain for the first several days — Tylenol is effective and safe.
- Increased nasal discharge and some ear pressure from post-procedure swelling for the first few weeks. This is normal and expected.
What to avoid
- Straining, lifting over 20 lbs, and strenuous exercise until cleared. Light nose-blowing is okay.
- Smoking.
- NSAIDs, aspirin, and Omega-3 / Vitamin D / Vitamin E / herbal supplements for two weeks.
Caring for your nose
Resume saline or steroid irrigations the day after. A Neti pot is gentler on the newly dilated opening for the first few days. Follow-up is at 4–6 weeks; Dr. Iloreta will let you know if oral steroids are needed.
Living with allergies.
Medication helps, but reducing your exposure to triggers does much of the work. These guides explain each common allergen and the practical steps that make the biggest difference. Learn more about our approach on the nasal allergies & allergic rhinitis page.
+Pollen Allergy (Seasonal)Trees, grasses & weeds
Pollen is the most common trigger of seasonal allergic rhinitis. Wind-borne grains from trees, grasses, and weeds reach your eyes, nose, and lungs and set off symptoms.
U.S. pollen seasons
- February–May: Trees (alder, ash, birch, cedar, elm, maple, oak, walnut and others)
- April–June: Grasses (Bermuda, fescue, Johnson, Kentucky blue, Timothy)
- July–November: Weeds (ragweed grows in 49 states; also mugwort, pigweed, sagebrush)
What helps
- Start oral antihistamines about 2 weeks before your season; add antihistamine nasal sprays and eye drops as needed.
- Sleep with windows closed, especially on windy or high-count days.
- Use saline nasal irrigation after being outdoors for a while to rinse pollen out.
- Check daily pollen counts before going out; reduce rugs, curtains, and clutter that trap pollen.
- Consider allergy testing — if you react to many pollens you may be a candidate for immunotherapy.
+Dust Mite AllergyBedroom-focused control
Dust mites are microscopic relatives of spiders that live in pillows, mattresses, blankets, and carpets, feeding on shed skin cells. It's their waste particles — not the live mites — that become airborne and trigger congestion, sneezing, eye irritation, asthma, or eczema. A single mattress can hold over a million mites. Focus your effort on the bedroom.
What helps
- Encase pillows, mattress, and box spring in allergen-impermeable covers.
- Wash all bedding in hot water every 1–2 weeks; use washable blankets.
- Replace carpet with hardwood or tile where possible; wash throw rugs regularly; avoid shampooing carpets (residual moisture grows mites).
- Remove stuffed toys, throw pillows, and upholstered items from the bedroom; swap curtains for wipeable blinds.
- Vacuum with a high-filtration/allergen-trapping bag; have the allergic person out of the room during cleaning, or wear a mask.
- Keep indoor humidity below 50% (air conditioning, dehumidifier) to suppress mites.
+Mold AllergyDamp-area control
Molds are fungi that thrive in warm, dark, damp places and release spores that travel through the air. Beyond allergy, molds can contribute to fungal sinusitis and, rarely, a fungus ball (mycetoma) in the sinuses.
What helps
- Clean visible mold in showers with diluted bleach; replace plastic shower curtains often.
- Avoid bathroom carpet; use washable throw rugs only.
- Remove carpet installed on basement concrete; mold-allergic people shouldn't sleep in basement bedrooms.
- Keep humidity under 50% with air conditioning and dehumidifiers; monitor with a gauge.
- Ventilate showers and cooking areas; vent the clothes dryer outdoors.
- Don't store firewood indoors, avoid live Christmas trees, and don't repot plants inside.
- Wear a face mask for yard work like mowing, raking, or handling compost.
+Animal Dander AllergyCats, dogs & other pets
It's the dander (skin proteins), not the hair, that triggers symptoms — so there is no truly "hypoallergenic" breed, though some individual animals shed less allergen than others. Dander is sticky and can linger in a home for up to 6 months after a pet is gone.
What helps
- The most effective step is rehoming the pet — an emotionally hard choice only you can make. If you keep your pet, the steps below reduce exposure.
- Keep pets out of the bedroom at all times.
- Encase pillows and mattress in allergen-proof covers; wash or replace bedding frequently.
- Remove or deep-clean bedroom carpet; vacuum with an allergen-trapping filter.
- Confine the pet to an area with a wipeable floor; minimize direct contact and wash hands after touching them.
- Bathe the pet about twice a week to temporarily lower surface allergen; ask your vet about pet wipes or shampoos.
+Everyday Tips for Allergy SufferersQuick wins across the home
Small habits add up. A few that help most people:
- Vacuum frequently, especially the bedroom and mattress; use dust-mite covers on pillows and mattress.
- Wear a mask while dusting or using cleaning products.
- Remove dust collectors — rugs, heavy drapes, stuffed animals, stored woolens — from the bedroom.
- Eliminate exposure to cigarette and cigar smoke.
- Use and regularly clean your AC filter; a properly sized HEPA filter is worth the investment.
- Use Dacron or foam pillows instead of goose down; wash bedding weekly in hot water.
- Regularly clean damp areas (shower, basement, window sills) to limit mold; address leaks promptly.
- Keep home humidity around 35–50%.
- If pets aggravate you, at minimum keep them off the bed and out of the bedroom, and groom them to reduce shedding.
+Medications to Stop Before Allergy TestingSkin-prick testing prep
Certain medications interfere with skin-prick testing or make it unsafe, so they must be paused beforehand. Read the highlights below, and always confirm your personal plan with your provider.
You MAY continue steroid nasal sprays (Flonase, Rhinocort, Nasacort, Nasonex) and topical steroid irrigations (budesonide, mometasone).
Stop before testing (typical timing)
- Antihistamines — 1st-generation (Benadryl, hydroxyzine, meclizine) and 2nd/3rd-generation (Zyrtec, Claritin, Allegra, Xyzal, Clarinex): 7 days.
- H2 blockers (Pepcid/famotidine, Tagamet, Zantac): 7 days.
- Topical corticosteroid creams in the test area: 21 days.
- Tricyclic / atypical antidepressants & sedatives (amitriptyline, doxepin, mirtazapine, trazodone, Ambien, etc.): 14 days.
- Benzodiazepines (Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Ativan): 7 days.
What we recommend.
The irrigations, supplements, and devices we suggest most often, with links to where you can find them. These are educational recommendations — always confirm what's right for you with your care team, and check with your primary care physician before starting any supplement.
+How to Do Your Sinus IrrigationsStep-by-step recipe
Saline irrigation rinses mucus, allergens, and crusting out of the nose and sinuses, keeps the lining moist, and helps medications reach the sinuses. It is the single most useful daily habit for most of our patients.
The steps
- Use distilled water, or boil tap water for 20 minutes and let it cool to room temperature. Never use water straight from the tap, and don't reuse old bottled water.
- Fill the irrigation bottle or Neti pot to the line — about 8 oz.
- Always add 1 packet of saline (or xylitol) solution, then shake gently to dissolve.
- If you were told to, add your prescribed medication (for example budesonide or mometasone) to the rinse.
- Lean over a sink, tilt your head down and slightly to the side, and rinse one nostril at a time, breathing through your mouth.
+Nasal Irrigation Devices — Navage & Neti PotPowered rinse vs. gravity rinse
Your nasal turbinates humidify the air you breathe and swell in response to dry air, allergens, dust, and infection — which causes congestion, thick mucus, and sometimes bleeding. Regular irrigation supplements that moisture, flushes out irritants, and keeps the turbinates from overworking. Many patients find they rely less on medication, breathe better, and snore less.
Options
- Navage Nasal Care — a powered system that rinses with gentle suction. Saline and eucalyptus pods are available.
- Neti pot — a simple gravity-fed rinse; gentler immediately after some procedures.
+Probiotic Sinus Irrigation — Lanto SinusFor the sinus microbiome
We know that pre- and probiotics can help reduce inflammation in the sinuses. A probiotic sinus rinse adds beneficial bacteria directly to the nasal lining. The product we point patients to is Lanto Sinus probiotic, mixed into your usual irrigation.
Lanto Sinus probiotic →+Gut Health — Prebiotics & ProbioticsWhy it matters for your sinuses
The bacteria lining your intestines — your microbiome — influence your overall health and your immune system, and a balanced gut is linked to less sinus inflammation. Maintaining it matters especially after antibiotics or steroids and during recovery from surgery.
Prebiotics (feed the good bacteria)
Fiber-rich foods: whole grains, bananas, leafy greens, potatoes, onions, garlic, soybeans, and artichokes.
Probiotics (add living microbes)
Yogurt, kefir, kimchi, kombucha (choose alcohol-free), tempeh, and sauerkraut. If you can't eat these, a supplement can substitute. Look for one with at least 2 strains, a high culture count, packaging with inulin or other prebiotics, probiotics in spore form, and a seal from a testing agency such as Consumer Reports or ConsumerLab.
+Omega-3 Fish Oil — for Smell LossSupporting olfactory recovery
For patients working to recover their sense of smell (anosmia), we sometimes recommend an Omega-3 fish oil supplement alongside smell training. The product we reference is Dr. Tobias Omega-3 Fish Oil. Learn more about our approach on the loss of smell & anosmia page.
Dr. Tobias Omega-3 on Amazon →+Intake Nasal Breathing BandDrug-free nasal dilation
Nasal obstruction can come from a deviated septum, nasal valve collapse, allergies, or turbinate enlargement, and it often leads to mouth breathing, snoring, and poor sleep. The Intake nasal band uses magnetic tabs on an adhesive strip to expand the nasal passages from the outside — shown to outperform other external dilators.
How to use it
- Clean the sides of the nostrils with soap and water or an alcohol pad.
- Apply the adhesive strip to the sides of your nostrils.
- Attach the magnetized band to the adhesive and take a breath in.