Woman Says Her Nose Leaks '24/7' After Rhinoplasty. A Doctor Explains When Drainage Becomes a 'Concern' (Exclusive)

Influencer Olivia Dayton shared on social media that she'd still have the procedure "again in a heartbeat"

NEED TO KNOW

• Influencer Olivia Dayton said that her nose leaks fluid “24/7” in a TikTok video shared in February
• Commenters expressed worry over Dayton’s nose dripping, with some speculating it was due to a spinal fluid leak
• A plastic surgeon tells PEOPLE when this kind of drainage becomes a “concern”

Influencer Olivia Dayton caused alarm in her TikTok comments after sharing that her nose leaked "24/7" after having a rhinoplasty.

In February, Dayton shared a video of herself flipping her hair back, causing liquid to drip from her nose.

"Just a PSA if you want to get a nose job your nose will decide it wants to drip 24/7," Dayton wrote over the clip. In the caption, she continued, "When you get sick it really is 24/7 lol BUT ID DO IT AGAIN IN A HEARTBEAT."

Users replied to the video with concern. "No girl its NOT supposed to do that!!!!," one wrote.

Others speculated that the drainage was actually a dangerous spinal fluid leak, urging Dayton to get the condition checked by a doctor.

Some said they've experienced similar things after having a nose job. "Ahh I’ve found my people," one user wrote. "This drives me NUTS. Do we know why this happens? Even my surgeon didn’t have an answer for me."

Boston-based plastic surgeon Dr. Sean T. Doherty tells PEOPLE that nasal dripping after a rhinoplasty is usually not a cause for concern and is often temporary.

"The inside of the nose contains mucosal tissue and small mucus-producing glands," he explains. "This tissue is delicate. Surgery can alter the normal airflow, sensation and moisture balance within the nasal passages."

Dr. Doherty continues, "The rhinoplasty procedure can temporarily affect the nasal nerves and mucus production regulation. Swelling and internal healing may also change how fluid moves through the nose, so patients can become more aware of normal secretions that they may not have noticed before surgery."

As a result, patients can experience clear drainage or a "runny nose" feeling, which Dr. Doherty says can be exacerbated by temperature changes, exercise, eating spicy foods or emotional triggers.

The surgeon explains that the drainage typically "improves as healing progresses over several months."

There are signs to look out for, though. "Persistent drainage, particularly if it’s one-sided, associated with pain, bleeding, fever or has a salty metallic taste should be evaluated by the surgeon," he says. "A concern here would be infection, chronic inflammation or allergies. A rare situation is a cerebrospinal fluid leak. This would need to be treated by the surgeon."

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"I have found that social media tends to highlight unusual postoperative experiences but occasional nasal dripping after rhinoplasty is not unheard of and is generally related to the normal healing process rather than a sign that something has 'gone wrong,'" Dr. Doherty concludes.

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