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Treatment and management of the disease

Managing your Chronic Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP)

 

When it comes to treating and managing your CRSwNP, there are many options available to you. From medications to lifestyle adjustments and surgery, understanding the possibilities can empower you to take charge of your health.7

 

Being proactive and talking with your doctor about all the ways CRSwNP affects you will help them suggest the best possible treatment to meet your needs.8

Exploring your treatment options

 

Once you've got your diagnosis, the next step is to work with your doctor to create a treatment plan. The goal is to reduce your symptoms , prevent them from coming back (recurrence), and help make CRSwNP a smaller part of your life.8

 

These are the treatment options doctors may use to help manage your symptoms:

Nasal sprays

Corticosteroids (or steroids) nasal sprays tend to be one of the first treatments that doctors prescribe for CRSwNP. The sprays start working in a few days, but it may take several weeks before you get the full effect.

Steroid nasal sprays:

  • Can reduce swelling, congestion and polyp size
  • Are used daily for best results
  • May have side effects (e.g. nosebleeds, nasal irriation) that are usually mild and temporary
  • Can be used long-term (with doctor's guidance)

 

Tablets (oral corticosteroids)

If your CRSwNP is severe, your doctor may prescribe oral corticosteroids. These medications are typically taken for a limited time and under close medical supervision due to the potential risks associated with prolonged use. These include infections, weakened bones, increased blood pressure, increased cholesterol, and issues with your eyes, liver and abdomen.

 

Biologics are medications that target specific parts of your immune systems to reduce the inflammation that causes your CRSwNP. The medicine is taken by injection under the skin (subcutaneous injection) and could be administered at different time intervals. 

Biologics can help:

  • Reduce the inflammation that causes CRSwNP
  • Shrink polyps
  • Make breathing easier
  • Improve your sense of smell
  • Reduce the need for steroids

Your doctor would be able to suggest the best biologic for you based on your symptoms.

Like any medication, biologics may cause side effects. Your doctor will be able to discuss with you the most common ones, which may include injection site reactions, eye and eyelid inflammation, headache, joint pain, and tiredness.

 

 

If other treatments haven’t reduced your symptoms, you may have been referred to an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist for surgery to remove your nasal polyps.6

Here is a quick overview of the procedure7:

  • The surgery is usually done under general anesthesia
  • A thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera (endoscope) is used to look inside your nasal passages
  • Tiny tools are used to remove any polyps or tissue blocking your airways
  • You can expect your nose to feel sore or uncomfortable for a few days after the operation 

It’s worth remembering that surgery only treats the symptoms of CRSwNP, it doesn’t tackle a cause of the disease, which in many cases is Type 2 inflammation. You may find that even after surgery, your symptoms may return.

This recurrence can be caused by many things, including the underlying inflammation in your body, incomplete initial surgery, or not following the correct medical therapy after surgery.9

By treating a cause of the condition, Type 2 inflammation, many symptoms can improve

Your treatment journey7

 

There are several treatment options available, each with its strengths and addressing specific symptoms.

 

The image below is an overview of the different treatment options that are likely to be effective in addressing some of the primary symptoms of CRSwNP at different steps of your treatment journey. You can use this as a starting point for conversations with your doctor about finding the best option for you.

Initial treatments

 

  • Some of the first treatments for low symptom severity
  • Saline and steroid nasal rinses and sprays are common options

 

Systemic steroids

 

  • Prescribed type of treatment for disruptive or prolonged symptom severity
  • Usually delivered orally and occasionally through injections for a short time

Surgery

 

  • Performed after high and persistent symptom severity
  • Used when previous treatments have failed

 

Biologics

 

  • Prescribed for recurring nasal polyps and symptoms
  • Injectable medications that treat the underlying inflammation

 

Self Managing your condition

Remember, before trying any treatment including non-medical remedies it’s important to seek medical advice from a doctor, nurse, or pharmacist, to check that it’s ok for you.7

Nasal irrigation with saline solution
Can help clear mucus and reduce inflammation.

Good hygiene
Can reduce the risk of respiratory infections that can make CRSwNP symptoms worse.

Over-the-counter treatments
May provide temporary relief from nasal congestion and associated symptoms.

Hydration
Keeping the body hydrated and help make mucus thinner.

Avoiding triggers
Allergens, irritants and certain foods can make CRSwNP symptoms worse.

Sleeping with your head elevated
Can help reduce nasal congestion and stop mucus from dripping down your throat.

Using a humidifier
Can help reduce nasal congestion and improve breathing.

Stress management
Stress-reduction techniques or relaxing activities may improve symptoms.

If you are thinking of trying any at-home measures, make sure you discuss it with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist, so you can be certain they’re safe and effective.10

It’s good to be aware of some of the risks associated with at-home management:

  • Overuse of nasal decongestant sprays - Can lead to a condition called rhinitis medicamentosa, or 'rebound congestion’, which makes congestion worse, rather than better.11
  • Incorrect nasal irrigation - Having the wrong technique or using dirty water may lead to infections or irritation of the nasal passages.11
  • Potential interactions -  Some herbal remedies or dietary supplements may interact with prescription medications or make other health conditions worse.11

IMPORTANT: You should never try and remove your nasal polyps yourself. Polyps must be surgically removed by an ENT surgeon as they are under the deep skin layers of the nose.

Explore treatment options

Check your symptoms

Our handy symptom checker can help you assess whether your CRSwNP is under control. It's a simple questionnaire that asks you about your symptoms and how they're affecting you. You can then share your results with your doctor and discuss the adapted treatment and care.

Simply click on the symptom checker icon to begin.

 

What happens if you don't treat CRSwNP?

 

Sometimes you might feel you just want to forget about CRSwNP and get on with things which is understandable.

Bear in mind however, that CRSwNP is a chronic condition and if you leave your symptoms untreated, they could persist or get worse, potentially leading to6:

More or bigger polyps6

Affecting your ability to breathe or smell.

Higher risk of sinus infections6

Requiring extra treatment like antibiotics.

Reduced quality of life6

Symptoms may impact your sleep, mood, work or leisure activities.

Other health problems6

Conditions like asthma may get worse.

  1. Mullol & al. Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps: Quality of Life in the Biologics Era. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. 2022;10(6): 1434-1453.
  2. Laidlaw & al. Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps and Asthma. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology: In Practice. 2021;9(3):1133-1141.
  3. Claeys & all. Patients Unmet Needs in Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps Care: a Patient Advisory Board Statement of EUFOREA. Frontiers in Allergy. 2021;2:1-9. doi: 10.3389 /falgy .2021 .761388.
  4. Hop. Do Adult Forms of Chronic Rhinosinusitis Exist in Children and Adolescents? Sinusitis. 2017;2(7):1-9.
  5. Cleveland Clinic. Inflammation. 2021. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/symptoms/21660-inflammation?view=print 
  6. Cleveland Clinic. Nasal Polyps. 2025. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15250-nasal-polyps
  7. Allergy & Asthma Network: What is Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps (CRSwNP)? https://allergyasthmanetwork.org/health-a-z/chronic-rhinosinusitis-with-nasal-polyps-crswnp/
  8. Ramkumar & al. Considerations for shared decision-making in treatment of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps. Frontiers in Allergy. 2023;1-13. Di 10.3389/falgy.2023.1137907
  9. De Corso & al. Chronic Rhinosinusitis with Nasal Polyps: A Survey on Routine Management and Evaluation of Disease Control in Practice. Journal of Personalized Medicine. 2023;13(1531):1-10.
  10. Bandoim. Coping With Nasal Polyps. VeryWellHealth. 2021.
  11. Cleveland Clinic. Rhinitis Medicamentosa. 2022. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23393-rhinitis-medicamentosa
  12. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Life with Nasal Polyps. 2024. https://aafa.org/asthma-allergy-research/our-research/life-with-nasal-polyps-crswnp/
  13. Teeling & al. Nasal polyp syndrome: a patient-centred term for CRSwNP by EUFOREA. Frontiers in Allergy. 2024, 1-6. DOI 10.3389/falgy.2024.1372919.
  14. Hwee & al. The chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyp patient journey in the United States and Europe. Allergy, Asthma & Clinical Immunology. 2024;20:17;1-4. 

Sanofi Belgium, MAT-BE-2500577. V.1. 05/2025