The nose fulfills several functions, highlighting the filter it has against external factors that can attack our body. It allows us to obtain all the oxygen necessary for our body. It will enable us to regulate the humidity of the air and, with it, we can perceive all odors.
The inside of the nose is highly vascular, allowing it to perform its functions, heating the air and humidifying it, ensuring that the air that reaches our lungs has a uniform temperature, ranging between 33 ° C and 35 ° C.
Nasal dryness is a common condition in which the mucosa of the nose has a low moisture level. Usually, this relates to viruses responsible for drying the nostrils, colds, and even nasal decongestants and corticosteroids. We invite you to continue reading this FastlyHealarticle about dry nose: causes and treatment.
Dry nose: causes
The causes of the dry nose can be several. Among the most common are:
- Respiratory infection: some viruses dry the mucosa of the nasal passages, creating the opposite symptoms to the typical upper respiratory infections. In addition to dryness, an irritated nose is observed inside. These viruses make the nose not work by humidifying the air and cause dryness or dry rhinitis. Acute rhinitis represents 40% of all acute respiratory infections, according to the Virtual Book of ENT training on Inflammatory Pathology of the nasal passages [1].
- Use of medications: the use of some drugs, such as nasal sprays and even the same oral medications that are used to treat allergy symptoms, prevent the wetting of the nasal mucosa, generating dryness and irritation. This does not occur when the specialist in an appropriate dose indicates its use.
- Environmental causes: This is one of the most common causes of dry noses. Two factors are widely related to this dryness: sudden changes in temperature and low humidity in the environment. Dry weather and allergies to pollen, smoke, chlorine in swimming pools, etc., are also influential.
- Use of tissues: the constant use of tissues causes a dry nose and irritation, whatever the type of tissue.
- Air conditioning and heating: whatever, heating and air conditioning tend to dry out the environment by causing the lining of the nose to lose moisture.
- Menopause: collagen decreases in this stage, so the woman’s skin is less elastic, and dryness of the mucous membranes can occur.
- High blood pressure: high blood pressure leads to dry nasal passages. Nosebleeds can also accompany it.
- Sjögren’s syndrome: the body, in general, can be affected by what is known as Sjögren’s syndrome, a chronic autoimmune disease that predominantly affects women older than 40 years of age. Those who suffer from it tend to have dryness and irritation in the mouth, eyes, and nose. Its prevalence varies from 0.01% to 4.8%, according to the Gaceta Médica de México [2] .
How to avoid nasal dryness
There are a series of tips that you can follow to prevent nasal dryness and keep your nose in perfect condition:
- Apply nasal moisturizers, which will allow you to feel relieved and fresh.
- Eliminate irritating or polluting factors.
- Avoid sudden temperature changes.
- Don’t just sneeze.
- Avoid breathing through the mouth.
- Cover the nose when the weather is scorching and dry.
- Practice sports daily or regularly to avoid diseases that cause nasal dryness.
To avoid the appearance of wounds in the face of nasal dryness, it is essential to:
- Do not touch or scratch the nasal mucosa with your fingers.
- Avoid excessive rubbing with handkerchiefs.
Dry nose: treatment
Treatment of dry nose may include:
- Hydration: drink plenty of water or liquid during the day. Specialists recommend that it is necessary to ingest at least 2 liters of water a day. Our entire body will be fully hydrated, and water has also been included in fruits and vegetables.
- Using a nasal lubricant: In pharmacies, you can find suitable nasal lubricants specially designed to soothe an irritated nose on the inside and combat dry nasal passages. They offer deep hydration and lubrication.
- Humidify the environment: Use humidifiers to improve the dry climate in the car, at home, or work. The humidity in the climate considerably influences our health, and the most sensible thing is that in a room, the temperature is approximately 20 ° C, with a humidity between 45% and 65%.
- Nasal washes: it is advisable to perform nasal washes with 0.9% physiological solution or with seawater since, with the latter, it is possible to restore the balance of the nasal mucosa, making you breathe much better.
- Treatment of the underlying disease: If a specific condition causes nasal dryness, it is essential to receive medical treatment.
Home remedies for dry nose
There are natural remedies that can improve nasal dryness, and that can be easily used from home:
- Vaporization: applying vaporization therapies at home can improve the symptoms of nasal dryness. This therapy improves in the short term the discomfort caused by dryness in the nose. This is done as follows: pour water into a pot, bring it to a boil, and pour it into a container. Over this container, place the face previously wrapped head in a towel, breathe deeply for 10-15 minutes.
- Coconut oil: easy to find and keep at home. Natural coconut oil is effective in treating nasal dryness. It is recommended to place half a teaspoon of coconut oil in a plastic container, and it should be heated in the microwave for 10 seconds until it is pleasant to the touch. A cotton swab should be moistened and applied inside the nose; this process should be used three times daily.
- Onion: effective to humidify the respiratory system, it is recommended to chop an onion and breathe its smell. The respiratory system will decongest after causing sneezing, lacrimation, and discharge in the paranasal sinuses.
- Acid solution: finally, an acid solution prepared with lemon or warm water allows to humidify the nose. Spread this preparation with a swab on the nasal mucosa for at least five days.
Although nasal dryness is not a severe problem to treat, medical evaluation is necessary. Avoid self-medicating to avoid complications that may be related even to using some drugs.
This article is merely informative. At FastlyHeal .com, we do not have the power to prescribe medical treatments or make any diagnosis. We invite you to see a doctor if you present any condition or discomfort.
If you want to read more articles similar to Dry nose: causes and treatment, we recommend that you enter our Ear, nose, and throat category.
I am a Surgeon with a diploma in comprehensive ultrasound and surgical care residency, an area I am specializing in. During the exercise of my profession, I have realized the need for patients to know the diseases they suffer, and I can tell you that a large part of their complications is due to a lack of information. Being a health web writer allows me to transmit my experience, without borders, to all those readers eager for knowledge, educate them in the prevention of diseases and promote a healthy lifestyle.