Learn About Nasal Flaring
Nasal flaring occurs when the nostrils widen while breathing. It is often a sign of trouble breathing.
Flaring of the alae nasi (nostrils); Nostrils - flaring
Nasal flaring is seen mostly in infants and younger children.
Any condition that causes difficulty breathing can cause nasal flaring. Many causes of nasal flaring are not serious, but some can be life threatening.
In young infants, nasal flaring can be a sign of respiratory distress. This is a serious lung condition that prevents enough oxygen from getting to the lungs and into the blood.
Nasal flaring may be caused by any of the following:
- Asthma flare-up
- Blocked airway (any cause)
- Swelling and mucus buildup in the smallest air passages in the lungs (bronchiolitis)
- Problem breathing and a barking cough (croup)
- Swollen or inflamed tissue in the area that covers the windpipe (epiglottitis)
- Lung problems, such as infection or long-term damage (bronchopulmonary dysplasia)
- Breathing disorder in newborns (transient tachypnea of the newborn)
Seek emergency help right away if you or your child has signs of a breathing difficulty.
Contact your health care provider if:
- There is any persistent, unexplained nasal flaring, especially in a young child.
- Bluish color develops in the lips, nail beds, or skin. This is a sign that breathing difficulty is severe. It may mean that an emergency condition is developing.
- You think that your child is having trouble breathing.
Your provider will perform a physical exam and ask about the symptoms and medical history. Questions may include:
- When did the symptoms start?
- Are they getting better or worse?
- Is the breathing noisy, or are there wheezing sounds?
- What other symptoms are there, such as sweating or feeling tired?
- Do the muscles of the stomach, shoulders, or rib cage pull inward during breathing?
The provider will listen carefully to the breath sounds. This is called auscultation.
Tests that may be done include:
- Arterial blood gas analysis
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG) to check the heart
- Pulse oximetry to measure blood oxygen level
- X-rays of the chest
Oxygen may be given if there is a breathing problem.
University Primary Care Practices Inc
Natalie Evans is a primary care provider, practicing in Internal Medicine in Conneaut, Ohio. Dr. Evans is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Nasal Flaring. Her top areas of expertise are Deep Vein Thrombosis, Pulmonary Embolism, Venous Insufficiency, Embolectomy, and Thrombectomy. Dr. Evans is currently accepting new patients.
Eisenhower Medical Center
Praveen Panguluri is an Interventional Cardiologist and a Cardiologist in Rancho Mirage, California. Dr. Panguluri is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Nasal Flaring. His top areas of expertise are Coronary Heart Disease, Angina, Atherosclerosis, Aortic Valve Replacement, and Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement (TAVR).
State University Of Iowa
Scott Owen is a Plastic Surgeon and an Otolaryngologist in Iowa City, Iowa. Dr. Owen has been practicing medicine for over 9 years and is rated as a Distinguished provider by MediFind in the treatment of Nasal Flaring. His top areas of expertise are Progressive Hemifacial Atrophy, Bell's Palsy, Facial Paralysis, Recurrent Peripheral Facial Palsy, and Balloon Sinuplasty. Dr. Owen is currently accepting new patients.
Summary: Critically ill patients are exposed to many sources of discomfort and traumatic experiences, especially if they require invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). Dyspnea, or sensation of not getting enough air - suffocation is the most common and distressing symptom experienced by IMV patients, far more unpleasant than pain. But, contrarily to pain, dyspnea has received only little attention and is s...
Published Date: April 17, 2024
Published By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
Rodrigues KK, Roosevelt GE. Acute inflammatory upper airway obstruction (croup, epiglottitis, laryngitis, and bacterial tracheitis). In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 433.
Rotta AT, Martin CJK, Sarnaik AP. Acute care of respiratory distress and failure. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 86.