Nose otoscope: what should you know?

An otoscope is commonly used to inspect the ear, but its light and small viewing head may help a clinician examine the front part of the nose. The clinician may look for swelling, crusting, mucus, irritation, bleeding, or a visible foreign object. Deeper areas can be difficult to see with this instrument, and the view does not by itself identify the cause of congestion, pain, discharge, or reduced smell.

Do not push an otoscope or another object into your nose at home, particularly if there is bleeding, pain, recent injury, or a child may move suddenly. Tell the clinician when symptoms began, whether one side is affected, and whether there is fever, discharge, allergy, trauma, or a foreign object. A GP consultation can determine whether examination alone is enough or whether another assessment is needed. For children, a child health consultation may be appropriate.

Seek prompt care for a suspected object in a child’s nose, persistent bleeding, severe pain, facial injury, foul-smelling one-sided discharge, or difficulty breathing. Urgent help is needed for heavy bleeding, significant facial swelling, or breathing distress. The examination method depends on the symptoms and the area that needs to be seen.

What part of my nose can you see with an otoscope? Do I need another examination or referral? If this is for my child, what signs would make the situation urgent?