Effective Ways To Treat a Dry Nose

Dryness inside the nasal passage or on the skin around the nose can be very irritating and difficult to manage. Resulting from cold or allergy symptoms or lack of humidity, it can even result in bleeding if you cannot do anything for it. Do not let your dry nose turn painful and lead to crusting or scabbing that not only feels uncomfortable but looks unpleasant too. Visit an experienced and board-certified otolaryngologist at the Century Medical and Dental Center to take care of the infections related to the nose and throat. The nose, throat, and ear expert will check the nasal cavities for any signs of infection and come up with the best solutions for treating dry noses.

A dry nose is one of the most commonly faced problems during the winter season that often results from cold and allergy. When the temperature drops in the winter, you may experience flu, strep throat, or cold, followed by a dry, stuffy and crusty nose. Learning about the right ways to treat a dry nose can help to get rid of this problem effectively.

Symptoms of Dry Nose

A dry, chapped, and crusty nose is the first symptom, but additional symptoms are also present. They include:

• Itching
• Congestion
• Mild burning
• Nasal obstruction, scabbing, or crusting
• Unpleasant or foul smell
• A diminished sense of smell
• Nose bleeds

You may experience other symptoms too depending on the underlying cause of dryness in your nasal passage.

Treating Runny and Stuffy Nose Symptoms

Sometimes dry nose also results from runny and stuffy nose symptoms that turn uncomfortable if they are not treated right. You don’t have to live with this discomfort and also suffer from dry skin or nose. Take a cold and flu medicine that treats these annoying problems and helps you breathe easily. Consult your primary care doctor to learn more about treating symptoms of runny and stuffy nose.

Effective Ways to Treat a Dry Nose

There are various ways to treat a dry nose. Home remedies can help to alleviate uncomfortable symptoms.

Humidifier

Lack of water within our body can lead to a dry nose, and so can a lack of moistness around us. People who work in dry or low humidity environments are more likely to experience a dry nose. Most people suffer from a dry nose during the winters as there is not enough humidity. A humidifier in your home or bedroom is an effective way to treat a dry nose as it disperses water into the air.
The humidifiers can combat dry noses and alleviate painful symptoms. Some other ways to boost the humidity in your home include taking a warm bath or shower to get moisture in the air.

Nasal Spray

A nasal spray is another popular option for treating a dry nose as it wets the nasal passage. These sprays are recommended for treating allergies, but you can also get saline over-the-counter nasal spray to help with a dry and crusty nose. It is drug-free and safe for daily use. In addition to directly moistening the nose, these sprays help get rid of the dirt, dust, and pollen that cause a dry nose.

Hydration

A dry nose basically results from a lack of moisture in or around the nose. Sugary and caffeinated beverages, like sodas and coffee, can cause dehydration, and it can affect your nose too. Hydration is essential for overcoming a dry nose. Drinking more than the recommended amount of water can treat many issues, and a dry nose is one of them.

If your body does not have enough water, it becomes harder for the nose to carry out its functions of moistening the incoming air that leaves both the inside and outside of the nose dry. It is best to increase your water intake, particularly during the winter months to avoid dryness in the nose.

Moisturizing Products

The use of moisturizing products such as petroleum jelly and cream can soothe the dry and cracked skin in your nose. You can apply small amounts of a water-based lubricant or lotion. There are ointments and balms specially developed for this purpose, and you can even use some antibiotic ones.

You can also use petroleum jelly. Take a little bit of petroleum jelly with your finger and place it around the inside of your nose to keep it moisturized. When using petroleum or petroleum-based moisturizers, be careful with how often you use them and the amount you take, as too much of it can result in inhalation and buildup within the lungs. Also, consult your doctor regarding any other moisturizing products you can use to ease the dryness in the nasal passage.

Steam

Taking a steamy shower or taking steam is an effective way to seek relief from a dry and stuffed nose. You can also spend a few minutes in the sauna where the hot vapors will help you feel better. Breathing in warm and moisturized air can get rid of the dryness in the nasal passage.

Is Dry Nose a Serious Problem?

Apart from being uncomfortable and painful, a case of a dry nose is rarely dangerous. The lining of the nose and the crease underneath are sensitive, and excessive dryness or irritation can crack the skin and make it bleed.

There are simple remedies to treat dry noses and sinuses at home, without going for medications. However, if your at-home therapies and treatments are unable to help or you think it is some infection causing the problem, visiting a healthcare professional is necessary.

Health conditions that may lead to dry nose and sinuses include:

• Sjogren syndrome– it is a long-term condition that can cause dry eyes, throat, and mouth, as well as joint pain
• Dehydration – when the body loses too much water
• Allergies – they can occur when the body overreacts to a substance it considers harmful

A common cause of dry nose is blowing your nose too often, whether because of a cold or allergies. A dry nose is also frequent among people who live in areas with dry weather and those who smoke tobacco or marijuana. Such people will also have other symptoms that make it easy for healthcare providers to recognize what they are suffering from.

Other causes of the dry nose include infection, nutritional deficiencies, and chronic atrophic rhinitis, and longstanding nasal inflammation due to an unknown issue. In some cases, a dry nose can result from certain medications like antihistamines and decongestants used for common colds or allergies.

If you experience dryness in the nose with other symptoms of infection such as fever, discharge, blood nose, or even breathing issues, contact your healthcare provider immediately. Dry nose is rarely a sign of some underlying condition but having it checked by an expert is advised to prevent any complications.

Talk to Your Primary Care Doctor

Sometimes dry nose, both the nasal passage and the irritated skin sound the nose can last for much longer. If your dry nose and other symptoms persist, they can begin to affect your breathing patterns and routine life. Do not let a minor inconvenience turn into some big and tough to treat.
Reach out to your primary care doctor to learn effective ways to treat a dry nose and get back to your normal life.

A dry nose is not a critical medical condition on its own, but it could be a symptom of a more serious issue that needs expert medical guidance. It may also turn serious and lead to breathing issues if you do not seek timely care. Schedule an appointment at the Century Medical and Dental Center to get your dry nose evaluated by an otolaryngologist to learn about its causes and treatment options.
The specialist doctor will check your nose and run a few tests to determine what may be causing these symptoms. They recommend the best medications and home therapies to help you get back to normal and feel better.