Scottish medics issue warning after rise in nose jobs linked to cocaine use

Doctors in Scotland have had to issue a warning to the public after seeing a rise in the number of patients needing nose jobs due to snorting cocaine.

Ear, nose and throat (ENT) doctors in Lanarkshire have issued a major health warning to people who use cocaine on the damage it can cause to the nose when snorted.

Doctors at University Hospital Monklands (UHM) have seen a rise in the number of patients who have suffered irreparable damage to the nasal septum after continued snorting of cocaine.

The NHS Lanarkshire health board has used the example of an anonymous patient, ‘Fraser’, who struggled with cocaine use and subsequently damaged his septum.

Mock-up picture of cocaine.

A spokesperson for NHS Lanarkshire said: “When the Covid pandemic hit, the compulsory wearing of face masks were a blessing for Fraser’s mental health as he could face the outside world without people noticing the damage to his nose.

“But Fraser sought help. He stopped using cocaine and was referred by his GP to the local ENT department for support with his deteriorating nose, but was advised of the possibility that his nose would have to be removed.

Resigned to having a prosthetic nose, Fraser was then referred to Mr Natarajan Balaji, an ENT consultant at UHM and the president of the British Society of Facial Plastic Surgery (BSFPS).

The spokesperson said: “Initially Mr Balaji was of the same opinion as other doctors and that the best option was to remove the nose. However, after further multiple consultations, an informed choice was made to undertake a reconstructive surgery.

“Mr Balaji performed the reconstructive surgery on Fraser at the end of last year to rebuild his nose. Fraser is delighted with the outcome of the surgery, although fully aware that he may need some more minor surgery in the future.”

After his reconstruction, Fraser said: “I cannot thank the ENT team at Monklands enough. Having been told I would lose my nose and to then be told they would be able to rebuild it was incredible.

“However, I am one of the lucky ones as I started taking cocaine for fun and it was a part of my life for a long time. I am not ashamed of that, but I do want other people to think of the damage that snorting cocaine can do to not just their nose, but their body.

“The nose is one of the most visible parts of the body and losing that would change your life forever. I am extremely lucky and have changed my life, but my story could have been very different and I could be going to bed at night removing my prosthetic nose.”

Mr Balaji said the number of patients with nose problems due to cocaine use has increased enormously and he wanted people to be aware of the damage snorting cocaine could do.

"Cocaine is cut with other ingredients including Levamisole, which is used in de-worming tablets for dogs and cats, and Phenacetin, an analgesic and fever-reducing drug used in veterinary medicine,” he said.

“Cocaine also has certain types of acids mixed with the ingredients. When snorted, cocaine causes the blood vessels to contract very strongly, and the nasal septum is very sensitive to reduced blood flow. After using cocaine a few times, the nasal structure can begin to die, causing perforations."