What Does Cocaine Do to Your Nose?
While taking cocaine can be done in various forms, including rubbed into gums, injected into the bloodstream, or smoked, snorting the substance through the nose is the most popular form of intake. Unfortunately, the addictive drug is a powerful central nervous system stimulant, which causes many users to keep abusing it over and over again. While the use of powdered cocaine can result in constricted blood vessels and increased temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure, it can also harm users who consistently snort it through the nose. But what does cocaine do to your nose? Keep reading to see how this drug can damage the body and how addiction treatment is critical to overcoming dependence.
Why Does Cocaine Make Your Nose Bleed?
Cocaine causes nosebleeds primarily because it is a powerful substance that severely constricts blood vessels while damaging the delicate tissues inside the nose. When cocaine is snorted, the powder directly contacts the nasal septum and surrounding tissues, causing immediate irritation and inflammation. As the user increasingly uses the substance, the nose tissues become increasingly damaged and fragile. They are more prone to bleeding, especially during continued cocaine use or even normal activities like nose-blowing.
The damage from cocaine use in the nose is often progressive and can become permanent, leading to cocaine face. The drug irritates the nasal area and gradually destroys the septum’s cartilage and bone structure. The nose’s natural healing ability is hindered because cocaine restricts blood flow that would normally support tissue repair. Cocaine purchased off the street is cut with other harmful substances like baking soda that can cause further tissue damage, leading to more nose bleeding.
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Can Cocaine Burn a Hole in Your Nose?
Yes, cocaine can literally create holes in the nose. They occur in the nasal septum, which is the wall of cartilage and bone that separates the two sides of the nose. A nosebleed from cocaine snorting is only one of the symptoms of long-term cocaine abuse. The combination of tissue death and chemical damage can gradually eat away at the septum, creating a hole that may continue to grow with continued cocaine use.
Once a hole develops, it often leads to worsening symptoms and complications. In severe cases, the structural damage can become so extensive that the external shape of the nose begins to collapse — a condition sometimes called “saddle nose” due to the resulting depression in the bridge of the nose.
What Is a Saddle Nose?
Saddle nose, also known as saddle nose defect or nasal dorsal collapse, is a condition where the bridge of the nose develops a noticeable depression or collapse that resembles a saddle when viewed from the side. This deformity occurs when the internal support structure of the nose becomes damaged or deteriorates. The collapsed area typically appears in the middle portion of the nose, which dips inward rather than maintaining a natural, straight look.
While this condition can develop from various causes like sports injuries or car accidents, one of the most common causes in modern times is cocaine abuse. Once the supporting nose structures are compromised, the skin and soft tissues of the nose lack proper support, leading to a saddled appearance. Although the condition can be corrected through reconstructive surgery, the procedure typically requires grafting cartilage from other parts of the body to rebuild the nose’s support structure.
How to Heal Cocaine Nose?
It may be obvious, but the first and most critical step to healing from cocaine nose involves stopping the use. Once the person has stopped using cocaine, the healing process can begin with proper nasal hygiene and care. This process entails conducting saline nasal rinses several times daily to clean the nasal passages and help reduce inflammation. Some doctors recommend using nasal moisturizing sprays or gels containing vitamin E to help soothe and repair damaged tissues.
Approximately 27.7 million residents have tried a type of cocaine at least once in their lives. This prevalence means many people are suffering from this addiction. If you or someone you know is struggling to stop cocaine and heal from cocaine nose, professional addiction treatment is crucial. Cocaine addiction treatment can help ensure the user can stop using the substance so the nose can heal properly.
Overcome What Does Cocaine Do to Your Nose With Treatment
While some users think of cocaine as a harmless social drug, there were nearly 15,000 drug overdose deaths involving cocaine in the U.S. in 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This danger means cocaine users need to be aware of much more than what does cocaine do to your nose. When addiction or constant cocaine abuse sets in, finding addiction treatment is key to ensuring the lasting effects don’t last a lifetime.
Resurgence Behavioral Health has medical detox, inpatient residential programs, and outpatient treatment options to ensure people have access to support for recovery. Our cocaine addiction treatments are tailored to provide each patient with a unique recovery plan aimed at maximizing their chances of achieving sobriety. To find out how we can assist you in overcoming your cocaine addiction, please reach out to Resurgence Behavioral Health at 855-458-0050 today.
External Sources
- National Drug Intelligence Center — Powdered Cocaine Fast Facts
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Increase in Drug Overdose Deaths Involving Cocaine: United States
- National Institute on Drug Abuse — Cocaine
