Former Lanarkshire cocaine user issues warning about damage the substance can do to nose
Fraser had to undergo surgery after his nose gradually disappeared because he snorted cocaine for years.
Last updated 9th Mar 2023
** WARNING THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS GRAPHIC IMAGES **
A Lanarkshire man is warning cocaine users they could lose their nose forever if they continue to snort the drug.
Fraser inhaled the substance on a recreational basis for years and gradually his nose started to collapse which had a severe impact on his confidence and social life.
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.
WARNING: The below picture show damaged cartilage being removed from the inside of a cocaine user's nose.
Resigned to having a prosthetic nose, Fraser was then referred to Mr Natarajan Balaji, an ENT consultant at UHM and the current President of the British Society of Facial Plastic Surgery (BSFPS).
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 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.”
WARNING: The below picture shows the inside of the nasal cavity after extensive cocaine use.
Mr Balaji said that the number of patients with nose problems due to cocaine use has increased enormously and want people to be aware of the damage snorting cocaine can do.
He said: "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.
"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."
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