Symptoms
The mucous membrane becomes congested and swollen. There is a constant mucous or mucopurulent discharge from the nose. The air passages may be partially or completely closed. If the child is old enough the nose may be easily freed from this discharge by blowing. If the child is not old enough to do this great inconvenience and discomfort will be experienced. The upper lip may become irritated, swollen and permanently enlarged and prominent from the constant blowing and wiping the nose. The excretion produces a constant irritation. There is a marked tendency on the part of the child to constantly pick at the nose; this tends to increase the irritation both of the nose and the upper lip. Usually there are adenoid growths, which will produce mouth breathing and may interfere with the function of hearing. A very marked characteristic is the inclination for the child to continually snuffle.
If the condition is allowed to remain for a long time without adjustments, ulcerations may occur on the mucous membrane; the discharge from this will be very offensive. In the atrophic form ozena is very common. Ozena is a very fetid discharge from the nasal cavity associated with ulcerations which may involve the bones of the nose.