Nasal polyps

My 11 year old son has had nasal polyps on & off for last 3 years.
They seem to be worse when he stays at peoples houses who smoke,what i would like to know is will that make his polyps worse or is it just a coincidence?

I do understand that smoking around children is wrong & i do not do this myself!

[David Tinkelman, M.D.]

Nasal polyps are caused by swelling of the lining of the nose.  The lining of the polyps is sensitive to any type of irritation, including tobacco smoke.  They can swell with exposure to irritating odors and lots of dust, as well.   I is therefore, not surprising that your son feels more uncomfortable when he is exposed for a long period of time to smoke.