Quick answer. A deviated septum is when the wall of cartilage and bone dividing the two sides of the nose is crooked, which can block one or both nostrils and cause a stuffy nose, mouth-breathing, snoring and recurring sinus problems. Mild cases need no treatment, while bothersome ones may be corrected with surgery called septoplasty.
The nasal septum is the wall of cartilage and bone that separates the left and right nasal passages. When it is significantly off-centre or crooked, it is called a deviated septum, and it can narrow one or both sides of the nose. Many people have a slightly deviated septum and never notice it, but a more pronounced deviation can cause a persistently blocked nose, mouth-breathing, snoring and a tendency to recurrent sinus infections.
This guide explains what a deviated septum is, its symptoms, why it happens, how an ENT specialist diagnoses it, and the treatment options, including a general sense of the cost of septoplasty surgery in Singapore. It also covers when surgery may qualify for MediSave use and when to see a doctor.
At a glance
| Severity | Common symptoms | Usual approach |
|---|---|---|
| Mild | Little or no blockage, noticed only on examination | No treatment needed |
| Moderate | Stuffy nose on one side, worse with colds or allergies | Treat allergies and congestion; review if persistent |
| Bothersome | Persistent blockage, mouth-breathing, snoring, poor sleep | Consider septoplasty if symptoms affect daily life |
| With sinus problems | Recurrent sinusitis, facial pressure, post-nasal drip | ENT assessment, sometimes combined sinus surgery |
| After injury | Sudden blockage or visible crookedness after nasal trauma | See a doctor; surgery may be considered later |
What is a deviated septum?
A deviated septum means the partition between the two nostrils is shifted to one side or bent, rather than sitting straight in the middle. This narrows the airway on the affected side and can make breathing through the nose harder. It is extremely common – many people have some degree of deviation, and it only matters when it causes symptoms.
A deviated septum can be present from birth, develop as the face grows, or result from an injury to the nose. In Singapore, where allergic rhinitis and sinus problems are common, a deviated septum can make nasal congestion feel worse and harder to relieve. It is assessed and treated by ENT specialists.
Symptoms & signs
Many deviated septa cause no problems, but a significant one can lead to:
- A persistently blocked or stuffy nose, often worse on one side
- Difficulty breathing through the nose, especially during colds or allergy flares
- Mouth-breathing, particularly at night
- Snoring or disturbed sleep
- Recurrent or lingering sinus infections and facial pressure
- Post-nasal drip or a dry mouth on waking
- Nosebleeds, if the airflow dries out one side
Symptoms may switch from side to side as the nose naturally cycles airflow through the day.
Causes & risk factors
A deviated septum can arise in several ways:
- Present from birth – some people are born with a deviated septum
- Growth of the face and nose – deviation can develop as the structures grow during childhood and adolescence
- Injury to the nose – from sports, falls, accidents or a blow to the face, which can shift the septum
- Normal ageing – which can change the shape of nasal structures over time
Allergies and sinus conditions do not cause a deviated septum, but they can make the symptoms of one feel much worse by adding swelling on top of the existing narrowing.
How it's diagnosed
An ENT specialist can diagnose a deviated septum and judge how much it contributes to your symptoms using:
- Nasal examination – looking inside the nose, often with a bright light and a speculum
- Nasal endoscopy – a thin scope passed into the nose to see the septum and sinuses clearly
- Assessment of allergies and congestion – to work out how much swelling versus structural deviation is causing blockage
- CT scan – in selected cases, particularly if sinus problems are involved or surgery is being planned
This helps decide whether your symptoms are mainly from the deviation itself or from treatable causes like allergic rhinitis.
Treatment options & cost
Treatment depends on how much the deviation affects you. Many people need nothing more than treatment for congestion. Options include:
- Managing congestion medically – saline rinses, steroid nasal sprays and treating underlying allergies can relieve symptoms without surgery
- Decongestants – for short-term relief only, as long-term use can worsen congestion
- Septoplasty – the surgical operation to straighten the septum, usually done through the nostrils with no external scar, typically as a day or short-stay procedure under general anaesthetic. It may be combined with turbinate reduction or sinus surgery
Cost (typical Singapore market range): septoplasty in the private sector commonly falls in the broad range of around S$6,000 to S$15,000, depending on the surgeon, the complexity, whether it is combined with sinus or turbinate surgery, and the hospital. This is a market range, not a quote. Because septoplasty for a genuinely obstructing, symptomatic deviated septum is a functional (medical) procedure, it is generally MediSave-claimable and may be covered in part by insurance or subsidies – your surgeon and hospital confirm eligibility. Purely cosmetic nose reshaping (rhinoplasty) is a separate, private expense.
When to see a doctor & which specialist
See a doctor if you have a persistently blocked nose, ongoing mouth-breathing or snoring, repeated sinus infections, or nasal blockage that disturbs your sleep or daily life and does not settle with treating allergies. If your nose is blocked or visibly crooked after an injury, get it assessed, as some changes are easier to correct early.
Seek urgent care for a heavy nosebleed that will not stop after 15 to 20 minutes of pinching the nose, or a nasal injury with severe pain, deformity or trouble breathing – go to A&E, and call 995 if there is heavy bleeding you cannot control or breathing difficulty. For diagnosis and septoplasty, an ENT specialist is the right doctor. You can find one through our directory of the best ENT specialists in Singapore.
Related guides
- Best ENT Clinics in Singapore — our editorial shortlist
- ENT clinics directory
- Dyshidrotic eczema
- Athlete's foot
- Skin allergy
- Blepharoplasty
- Meniere's disease
Sources
- NHS – Non-surgical and surgical treatment of a blocked nose
- Mayo Clinic – Deviated septum
- SingHealth – Ear, Nose & Throat conditions and treatments
- MOH Singapore – Managing expenses and MediSave
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