Nasal flaring

What it means

Widening of the nostrils upon inhalation as a manifestation of respiratory distress.

Nasal flaring is a compensatory symptom that increases upper airway diameter and reduces resistance and work of breathing.

Rare diseases that can present with this3

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category