Do you also feel dryness inside the nostrils? It happens due to the inadequate formation of mucus on the inner walls of the nasal passage. Factors such as air conditioning, Sjogren’s syndrome, Rhinitis, heating, and more can cause a dry nose.
The mucus is the sticky fluid essential for the lubrication of the nasal cavity. The mucus traps all sorts of dust and germs particles within it.
A dry nose feels crusty, resulting in dehydration and dryness in the mouth and throat. But you can treat this at home depending on the severity of the dry nose. The problem can be serious if accompanied by other issues like headaches, bleeding, etc.
In this article, we will clear your doubts about why your nose feels dry and whether it is a symptom of some serious disease. Also, we will be discussing some of the effective ways to treat the problem.
Is it Sjogren’s Syndrome?
If the dry nose problem continuously persists, it may be a symptom of Sjogren’s syndrome. Immune system disorders, rheumatoid arthritis, and lupus are quite common in this problem.
Sjogren’s Syndrome can develop at any age and is more frequent in Women above 40 years of age. It is often accompanied by joint pain, swelling, stiffness, skin rashes, vaginal dryness, and swollen salivary glands.
The initial symptoms of this disease are quite normal, but it can trigger the kidney, liver, lungs, and nose if it becomes severe.
A further complication of this disease is dental cavities, yeast infection, and vision problems.
The Common Causes of Dry Nose
- Air Conditioning
The cold air coming from the air conditioner can be very soothing and cool, but it can trigger the nervous system at its worst. It damages the glands and memories that produce mucus and make the nose crusty.
This is very common in people who have allergies because they can’t tolerate the cool air too much, making it difficult for them to breathe.
- Rhinitis
Rhinitis is a chronic condition that creates a thick dry crust into the nasal cavity. The other rhinitis symptoms include the loss of smell and taste with imaginary and unpleasant orders.
The severity of rhinitis may cause loss bleeding as an intense medical issue. Thus, extreme dryness is very common in rhinitis. Dryness, irritation, and inflammation are immense during rain, so one needs proper consultation.
- Indoor Heating
Sometimes, the interior of your house becomes too hot and dry, and the air cannot keep much moisture. The level of warmth in the room should be in control to avoid further consequences.
Thus, making the room too hot during the day and at night is not a good idea as a dry house can induce sinus difficulties, especially if you spend the entire day indoors.
- Excess use of Medicines
The excessive use of medicines makes a person dehydrated with the toxins that most medicines and drugs release. Doctors recommend that people with strict medication treat the diet and drink a lot of water to ensure that the body has enough fluids.
The medicines also take away all the moisture from the nostrils, restricting people from infection.
The Effective Ways to Cure Dry Nose at Home
- Applying Petroleum Jelly
It is vital for people who have a dry nose to keep it moisturized through a small dab of petroleum jelly.
You need to apply a little amount of petroleum jelly to the lining of the nose. Remember to restrict yourself from using it for prolonged periods as it may get inside the trachea and lungs.
- Using a Humidifier
A dry mist humidifier in the bedroom is an excellent option to increase the level of humidity in your bedroom. It provides some amount of relief to your nasal passages.
Remember not to put the humidifier on the furniture because it can damage the wooden surfaces.
- Nasal Sprays
Nasal sprays are the quickest option that people have been using for ages to wet the dry nasal lining. Apart from moisturizing, it also cleans out all the dust, dirt, and pollen particles and helps relieve congestion and inflammation in the nose.
You can grab any over-the-counter nasal spray from your nearby medical store.
- Wipes
Damp wipes are very useful to wipe the lining of the nostrils and help in preventing irritation and dryness on the nasal passage.
You can grab baby wipes as they are quite sensitive and do not cause over dryness to the area. But, if you don’t have damp wipes, you can always take a tissue and damp it in normal water for usage.
- Steaming
Steaming is the best option that can help relieve a dry nose or related symptoms. To start the process, take some amount of hot water in a big bowl, then cover your face with the help of the tall and inhale the steam for some time to get relief.
This is a very natural method of getting relief that requires little or no time.
When to See a Doctor?
Sometimes, the dry nose becomes a serious symptom that causes irritation and discomfort. The lining of the nose is sensitive, which makes the nose dry and painful.
It is advisable to consult a doctor if the dry nose lasts for more than 15 days with signs of infection and blood loss along with weakness.
The doctor prescribes certain medications with home remedies which you can try to feel better and avoid future complications and the spread of the virus to other people.
Final Thoughts
Have you seen what causes dryness in the nose and how it affects the other respiratory organs? It may cause a sinus infection, nasal polyps, or even tooth infection in some cases.
Sometimes people rely on home remedies like salt water gargles and nasal sprays.
But, if the symptom seems more serious, you should not take it with ease and make the appointment as soon as possible.