My nose is dry, what should I do?

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Dry nasal mucosa: causes and treatment

Dry nasal mucous membranes can plague a person in any season of the year. In winter we often suffer due to the operation of heating devices, in summer the cause is heat and dust in the air, in spring - acute allergic reactions, and in autumn - exacerbation of various chronic problems and the onset of colds.

Table of contents:

To prevent this unpleasant condition from overtaking a person by surprise, it is worth knowing why it occurs and how it can be effectively dealt with at the earliest stages.

Causes of dry nose

Dry nose can be caused by both physiological and pathological reasons.

In most cases, dry nasal mucosa, the treatment of which can sometimes be very lengthy and difficult, is not a disease in the full sense of the word. Most often, dryness accompanies any disease or is a physiological condition caused by a number of physical, chemical or thermal factors.

The most common causes of dryness include the following:

  • Dry cold or hot air. Most often, these are natural features of the environment that are not characteristic of humans, that is, it is usually a newcomer, a person not adapted to such a climate, who suffers from such conditions.
  • Operation of heating devices and air conditioning systems. All of them, to one degree or another, greatly dry the air and provoke drying out of the mucous membranes.
  • Allergic reactions. After some of them, the nasal mucosa suffers greatly, becomes dry, fragile, easily damaged and bleeds.
  • Colds accompanied by severe acute or prolonged runny nose. This type of drying out is usually accompanied by extremely unpleasant sensations and the formation of painful, itchy and irritating crusts, and constant sneezing in bursts.
  • Use of medications. Dryness is mainly caused by sprays designed to reduce the appearance of a runny nose. They constrict blood vessels, remove fluid from the nose and irritation, swelling, but if abused or individual intolerance occurs, they cause drying out of the mucous membranes.
  • Reaction to aerosols (cosmetic or any other), as well as to the strong smell of paint, chemicals, especially those containing chlorine.
  • High blood pressure.
  • The use of radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer of the nasopharynx and soft tissues, eyes and ears.
  • A decrease in the level of hormones in the body associated with the decline of sexual function.
  • Mechanical irritation of the nasal mucous membranes associated with being in a room that is heavily smoky, dusty, or filled with tiny particles of sand or stone (for example, in places where stone processing is carried out or in construction).
  • Sjögren's syndrome. This rare autoimmune disease is characterized by severe dryness of the mucous membranes of the body, including the nose.

There are many reasons for dryness and they are all different. In order to cope with this unpleasant condition, you need to know the root cause that caused it, eliminate or eliminate it, and then take measures to treat, moisturize and soften the nasal mucosa.

Drug treatment

Moisturizing sprays and nasal drops

The use of medications depends on how advanced the condition of the mucous membranes is and whether there is an underlying disease. In the latter case, you need to get rid of it by curing your runny nose, allergies, or leaving the room with dirty, dry air.

The easiest way to get rid of dryness is with the help of ready-made preparations in a spray based on purified sea water, this

Please note that ordinary nasal drops for a runny nose are not suitable for this problem, as they themselves strongly provoke dryness and increased sensitivity of the mucous membranes.

If you have to work or just be in an uncomfortable environment for a long time, then to protect the already damaged mucous membrane you need to use barrier agents, that is, lubrication with healthy oils or fats. They form a thin, non-drying film on the mucous membranes, which does not allow them to dry out and become damaged. For this purpose, high-quality oils are used - rosehip oil, sea buckthorn oil, eucalyptus oil, and many others. These products are not recommended to be applied in pure form, as they can dry out the fabrics themselves. It is best to mix them with base oils: peach, almond, apricot.

Useful video - How to rinse your nose correctly:

If painful crusts have already formed in the nose, and the tissues are bursting and bleeding, “heavy artillery” will be required. Balms Narisan and Vitaon will come to the rescue. They soften dry and hard crusts, facilitating their painless and bloodless separation.

In the presence of an underlying disease of a viral nature, for example, influenza, Interferon, Grippferon and others from the same series will be effective. To prevent the disease and speedy recovery, oxolinic ointment is often used. The vitamin preparation Aevit also works well, which is used to lubricate the mucous membranes to speed up healing.

Nasal rinsing and inhalation

Nasal rinsing helps to quickly and effectively moisturize the nasal mucosa

Along with many medications, nasal rinsing and inhalation are very effective against dryness. If you have dry nasal mucosa, treatment of which for some reason with medications is impossible or undesirable, then you should resort to a simple remedy - rinsing. For these purposes, you can use a special teapot or use any suitable vessel. The easiest and most useful way is to rinse with physiological salt solution - it does not harm the body, since it has a composition similar to the main body fluids. The salt content in it works as a mild disinfection and means of accelerating regeneration.

To rinse, you need to make sure that the warm liquid easily penetrates into one nostril and flows freely out of the other. Then the mucous membranes are cleared of crusts, swelling, dryness and irritation disappear.

Washing with decoctions of medicinal plants also works well.

An excellent remedy is chamomile. Its warm decoction mechanically gently cleanses the mucous membranes, heals and disinfects them, and starts the process of accelerated regeneration.

Inhalation is also effective. The easiest way is to use a soda solution. Soda has the ability to soften the membranes and very quickly eliminate severe dryness and crusting in the nose.

Folk recipes

Traditional medicine for dry nose recommends using aloe juice

If dry nasal mucosa is detected, treating it with traditional methods can be very simple but effective:

  • First of all, it is recommended to inhale steam from decoctions of medicinal herbs, rinse with warm decoctions of medicinal herbs, and then carefully instill 2 drops of high-quality cold-pressed vegetable oil into the nostrils. You need to drip carefully so as not to get into the respiratory tract.
  • Another great remedy is aloe juice. This wonderful plant will help get rid of dryness and heal inflamed and dry, cracked and crusty mucous membranes. To do this, instill 2 drops of fresh juice and lubricate the inside of the nostrils with it.
  • A small amount of glycerin can be used to lubricate the nose. This substance can effectively moisturize mucous membranes. It is very useful to apply after steam inhalation, when the mucous membranes are saturated with moisture. Glycerin will help keep it in the mucous membranes for a long time.

But external hydration may not be enough, so supporters of traditional methods of treatment use internal methods. To saturate the body with moisture, drink plenty of fluids, preferably vitamin remedies: rosehip decoction, tea with raspberries and honey, lemon, alkaline mineral water, milk with honey and butter, in a word, the same set as in the treatment of colds, as well as a variety of fruit drinks, fruit, berry and vegetable juices (if you are not allergic to them).

Possible complications

Dry nasal mucosa, the treatment of which was untimely or incorrect, can be complicated by an inflammatory process, especially if there were painful dry crusts in the nose that were removed too roughly and persistently, without soaking.

Fragile, damaged mucous membranes are attacked by a variety of microorganisms, including the extremely pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus, which is constantly present on human skin. The process can be very painful and protracted, since this pathogen is very resistant even to strong antibiotics.

Also, in an advanced state, the disease can go into a chronic stage with constant dryness and the appearance of crusts.

To avoid unpleasant consequences, a person needs to avoid allergens, not be in a polluted and dusty room, use masks and special protective equipment when working in such conditions, and start treatment on time at the first signs of the disease.

If dryness is caused by heating devices, then it is worth purchasing special humidifiers or at least using water containers on radiators. When using air conditioners, you need to set the correct mode and ventilate the room more often. The habit of regularly rinsing your nose with salt water is a great help against dryness at any time of the year. In addition, it is also a good way to protect against various diseases.

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Comments (3)

05/13/2017 at 23:21 | #

I never thought that I would encounter such a problem. But long-term and irrational use of drops for a runny nose dried out the mucous membrane. Quite a lot of time has passed, but the mucous membrane has not recovered. It is very difficult to breathe, especially in stuffy conditions. I would like to know: in this case, time does not heal?

Tatiana

09.17.2017 at 15:48 | #

I use nasal rinsing with Furacilin solution, thuja oil and rosehip oil to help combat dry nasal mucous membranes. True, this is a long-term treatment, improvement does not occur immediately.

Karina

03/02/2018 at 10:24 | #

I always rinse with sea salt. But sometimes there is no such possibility, because... I’m constantly on business trips, and carrying salt is such a pleasure. And at the pharmacy the girl recommended AquaMaster spray, she said the result would be the same. And in fact this is what happened. It’s very convenient to take it with you + you can use it even on the way to work :)

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The medical information published on this page is strictly not recommended for self-medication. If you feel negative changes in your health, immediately contact an ENT specialist. All articles published on our resource are for informational purposes only. If you use this material or a fragment of it on your website, an active link to the source is required.

Krasnoyarsk medical portal Krasgmu.net

Causes of dry nose. Dry nose can occur for several reasons.

The most common cause of increased dryness in the nose is the side effects of medications. This is usually associated with antihistamines, which are used for vasomotor rhinitis.

Another cause of dry nose can also be dry climate conditions. This climate is typical for winter in the middle zones, when the air is too dry. Indeed, the most common cause of dry nasal mucous membranes is dry indoor air.

As you can see, there are different causes for dry nasal mucosa, the main task is to start eliminating them in time.

Try to get rid of dry nasal mucosa using folk remedies: for treatment, rinse your nasal passages daily with infusions of herbs: chamomile, linden flowers, plantain, mint.

Let's try to understand this issue and talk about dry nose, causes and treatment of this condition in this article

Dryness of the nasal mucosa is characterized by nasal congestion, in which the sides of the congestion alternate. If the nasal mucosa is dry, then burning and itching and crusting may occur. In addition, headaches and nosebleeds may occur. Let's look at how dry nasal mucosa can be unpleasant.

Dryness of the nasal mucosa creates discomfort and makes it difficult to breathe through the nose. It makes it difficult to sleep peacefully at night. In addition, with increased dryness of the mucous membrane, the nose does not perform well its main function - filtering the air entering the lungs. What are the causes of dry nose and what treatment can help with this problem?

The general symptoms of dry nose are as follows: there is some loss of smell, the person cannot blow his nose completely, experiencing severe difficulty breathing through the nose.

Causes of dry nose

The nasal mucosa dries out for several reasons, the most common of which is the side effect of certain medications, which, for example, include antihistamines and cold drops.

People living in dry climates, where atmospheric humidity is below 40%, often complain of dry nose and throat.

Dry nose can also develop due to dry climates. This phenomenon can be found in winter in the middle zones, when the air is too dry. In addition, dry nasal mucosa can be encountered in heated rooms, which also dry out the mucous membrane. The same thing happens when the air is dusty in production, where chemicals, cement, etc. act as a source of pollution.

Dry nose can be caused by nasal rinses or bronchial dilators that contain atropine.

In addition, dry nasal mucosa may indicate 2 diseases that are quite rare. One of them is keratoconjunctivitis sicca. This disease is also manifested by a chronic lack of moisture in the mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth. The second disease is Sjögren's syndrome, which belongs to the group of rheumatoid arthritis. The disease also affects the salivary glands.

Dry nose can appear due to progressive runny nose when nasal and vasoconstrictor drops and antihypertensive drugs are used. All kinds of injuries and infectious diseases can be the initiator of dry nose. A special role is played by dust in the air; this is directly related to production. In old age, the mucous membrane atrophies and the consequence of this process is a decrease in the formation of mucus, which causes dryness of the nasal mucosa.

The appearance of blood crusts in the nose indicates chronic atrophic rhinitis (dry nasal mucosa). With this form of rhinitis, nasal discharge is practically absent or minimal.

In addition to the formation of crusts and discomfort in the nose, a dry runny nose can cause difficulty breathing, bleeding, and even partial loss of smell.

Dry rhinitis is usually not associated with colds; more often it manifests itself as a consequence of irritation of the mucous membrane, the causes of which can be dry air, dusty premises, sudden climate changes, exposure to various substances, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, and nervous disorders.

Treatment of dry nasal mucosa

Treatment is based on removing harmful factors. You should often ventilate the room, wipe off dust, and carry out wet cleaning. If atrophic rhinitis is caused by another disease, it is necessary to treat the underlying disease.

To facilitate the removal of crusts, they need to be softened using various oils and ointments. These products should not contain corticosteroids, drying or irritating substances. The simplest remedy is sea buckthorn or rosehip oil; you can use regular olive oil or refined sunflower oil. It is dropped into the nose without tilting the head back too much, or cotton balls soaked in oil are placed inside for a minute.

To treat the nasal mucosa, it is necessary to sanitize the nasal mucosa and restore its functionality. The entire area of ​​the nasal mucosa can be sanitized by finely dispersed irrigation of the mucous membrane with mineral particles. The nasal mucosa can be restored using photodynamic therapy. In addition, you can increase lymph flow, which will normalize local immunity. Moisturizing the nasal mucosa can be done using lightly salted water. In a glass of boiled water you need to dilute ½ tsp. sea ​​salt, stir and strain. Place 4 drops into each nostril several times a day. If you don’t want to prepare the solution yourself, you can buy drops made from sea water. You can use saline solution, which is used in a similar way.

Water with silver ions has a positive effect on the nasal mucosa. On average, you need to irrigate your nose 3 times a day.

If you experience discomfort in your nose at night, you can use hot tea. Before going to bed, you need to drink weakly brewed tea, adding honey to it. If you don’t want tea, you can drink warmed milk or fruit juice.

Restoring the nasal mucosa with severe dryness is possible with the help of oils. In each nasal passage you need to drip 2 drops of grape, sunflower, olive oil. In case of dry rhinitis, it is recommended to use tea tree oil.

In addition, mucolytic drugs have a moisturizing effect.

You can rinse your nose with a solution of sea salt with the addition of olive oil. Inhalations with essential oils will soften and remove crusts painlessly and without injury. For inhalations, it is better to choose menthol, eucalyptus and mint oil. You should breathe warm steam, monitoring the temperature so as not to burn the skin of the nasopharynx.

Source: http://krasgmu.net/publ/simptomy_i_lechenie/sukhost_v_nosu_prichiny_i_lechenie/

Dry nose: causes and methods of elimination

Dry nasal mucosa is a condition that many people do not pay attention to. In vain. This unpleasant symptom is a signal from the body that there is a problem that requires an immediate solution. If you do nothing, “banal” dry nose becomes the cause of a bad mood and disruption of the usual rhythm of life. How to avoid this? Find out from this article!

>> The site presents an extensive selection of medications for the treatment of sinusitis and other nasal diseases. Enjoy it for your health! <

Why does the mucous membrane dry out?

The causes of dry nose can be different. Let's look at the most common ones:

  • long stay in unfavorable conditions. Dry winter frosts with air humidity less than 40% are a serious test for the health of the upper respiratory tract. People who are not accustomed to such a climate experience a feeling of dryness and itching in the nose. Similar complaints arise from those who work in cold offices: radiators and air conditioners damage the skin and mucous membranes;
  • harmful work. If your professional activity involves chemicals, construction materials or the constant presence of dust, do not forget to wear a respirator;
  • long-term use of hormonal and vasoconstrictor drugs. Excessive enthusiasm for cold remedies entails not only advantages, but also disadvantages. It is necessary to give the nasal mucosa a “rest” - take breaks between taking drops and sprays;
  • some diseases. Dryness and blood crusts in the nose appear with atrophic or hypertrophic rhinitis, ozena, infectious rhinoscleroma, dry keratoconjunctivitis, Sjögren's syndrome;
  • stress and low immunity. Depression and constant overload of the nervous system also contribute to drying out of the mucous membrane;
  • physical injuries and burns of the nasal cavity;

Dryness and itching in the nose often occur in older people (due to thinning of the mucous membrane) and in pregnant women (due to hormonal changes).

Symptoms of dry nose

The following signs indicate dryness of the mucous membrane:

  • difficulty breathing (especially at night);
  • decreased olfactory function;
  • snoring and feeling of suffocation;
  • headache;
  • cracks on the wings of the nose;
  • nosebleeds;
  • the appearance of dry crusts;
  • sneezing;
  • burning in the nasal passages.

Thus, dryness in the nasal cavity is not a single signal of ill health, but a combination of several.

Why can't pathological manifestations be ignored?

It may seem to some that dryness and burning in the nose are “nothing, an everyday matter.” But everything is much more serious than it seems at first glance. Insufficient hydration of the mucous membrane leads to a decrease in quality of life. A person ceases to distinguish odors, sleeps poorly and often gets sick.

Dry mucous membranes cannot cope with the task of protecting against the penetration of microbes, i.e. the nose becomes an “entry gate” for infection.

Cracks in the nose begin to bleed and cause pain. If nothing is done, small ulcers appear, which are not so easy to get rid of. In especially severe cases, the process leads to damage to bone tissue.

If you're concerned about more than just dryness...

Most often, dry nasal mucosa is accompanied by the appearance of other symptoms. It is necessary to tell the doctor about this, because any “little thing” can become decisive in making a diagnosis and prescribing treatment.

Thus, dryness and burning in the nose most often occur due to allergies. When an allergen enters the nasal cavity, histamine is produced. This substance irritates nerve receptors and results in a burning sensation.

Allergens that cause burning and dryness are house dust, pollen, animal hair, household chemicals, perfumes and cosmetics.

Do you feel dry not only in your nose, but also in your mouth? There are several reasons for this: consumption of alcoholic beverages, unfavorable environment, diseases of the ENT organs.

Severe, persistent nasal dryness and crusting occur after taking medications that are not entirely suitable, or as one of the signs of atrophic rhinitis. The disease can be recognized by increased dryness after sleep and sudden temperature changes.

Don't let your baby's mucous membranes dry out!

Dry nose in a child of the first year of life is a common complaint of parents, which becomes especially relevant in winter or in the off-season. In most cases, low air humidity is to blame. Unfortunately, this figure drops to 30% during the heating season. Inhaling dry air leads to nasal congestion and itching. The baby becomes uncomfortable: he wrinkles his nose, sneezes, is capricious and has difficulty falling asleep.

But the most dangerous thing is that the filtration function of the nose is disrupted and viruses easily enter the lungs, trachea and bronchi. The situation is aggravated by profuse regurgitation, characteristic of newborns. Droplets of milk irritate the mucous membrane even more - swelling appears and breathing is impaired. But this is really bad.

Improper nasal breathing leads to various disorders. The child eats poorly, does not gain weight, and becomes restless. Sometimes dryness of the nasal mucosa is a provoking factor for increased intracranial pressure, hypoxia and nervous disorders.

Dry nose and pregnancy

More than 30% of women in an “interesting” position experience dry nose. For some, it is felt throughout the entire 9 months. The reason for this test is a change in hormonal levels. Dry nose during pregnancy is accompanied by swelling and difficulty breathing.

All this, of course, upsets the expectant mother. Because now, instead of enjoying the most magical time, she has to fight the changes occurring in her body. If any unpleasant symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor who will develop an effective plan to eliminate them.

How to treat dry nose?

The choice of therapeutic measures largely depends on the causes of dryness. However, the basis will always be local symptomatic treatment aimed at moisturizing the mucous membrane, drying out the crusts, reducing swelling and restoring breathing.

How to get rid of dry nose? This question has several answers. And they are all correct.

  • elimination of provoking factors. If the cause of dryness is “bad” air in the room, it is necessary to increase the humidity level to 70%. This can be done using a humidifier or traditional methods (wet towels, containers of water). You should also “hydrate” from the inside - drink plenty of fluids, use oils or special sprays. If you live in a region with an unsuitable climate, then it is better to move to another place;
  • use of medications. Sprays and drops for dry nose based on sea water perfectly eliminate burning, itching, normalize blood circulation and protect against bacteria (Marimer, Aquamaris, Humer, Salin, Physiomer, Otrivin Sea). Ointments soften crusts and accelerate tissue regeneration (Rescuer, Fleming Ointment, Traumeel S, Pinosol). Characterized by high efficiency and absence of contraindications;
  • "grandmother's" recipes. No less effective is the treatment of dry nose with folk remedies. Home methods are simple and accessible to everyone. Rinsing the nose with herbal decoctions (mint, plantain, chamomile, sage, wormwood), instilling aloe juice (2 drops in each nasal passage), inhalation with essential oils helps a lot. To lubricate the crusts, you can use sea buckthorn oil or regular Vaseline.

Of course, these are not all ways to get rid of signs of dry nose. In fact, there are many times more of them.

How to help your baby with dry nose?

What do doctors advise if a baby has dry nasal mucosa? How to normalize breathing and improve the general condition of a child?

The very first thing to do is to increase the humidity level in the room. Most often, dryness occurs due to intense operation of heating devices. If you don’t want to spoil the appearance of your apartment with wet towels and bowls of water hanging everywhere, then you should buy an ultrasonic humidifier.

Let your baby drink as often as possible. Warm boiled water, milk, rose hips, compote - whatever. The main thing is throughout the day and at night too.

It turns out that milk with honey is not only an excellent “cure” for a cold, but also an effective method of preventing dry mucous membranes.

Place 1-2 drops of salt water (0.5 teaspoon of salt per glass of water) into your nose 4-5 times a day. For the same purpose, various “marine” drugs are used. Remember that small children cannot be injected with sprays - only drops!

Oils (almond, tea tree, peach, flaxseed) and solutions of vitamins A and E (Aekol or Aevit) will help to cope with bleeding crusts.

Be careful, oils cause allergic reactions. If a rash or redness of the skin is detected, stop using them.

Are conventional methods suitable for pregnant women?

Pregnant women are a category of patients that require a special approach. Why special? Yes, because a woman expecting a baby is overly concerned about her condition. She gets worried and upset about everything. And feeling unwell is one of the most significant.

As already noted, dry nose during pregnancy is quite common. So is it possible to use traditional tips to eliminate it, or will you still have to look for new ways? Only your attending physician will give you the exact answer.

If there are problems with the functioning of the urinary system, then excessive fluid intake can be harmful.

Often pregnant women are prescribed Narisan or Vitaon. The drugs have antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, regenerating and anti-edematous effects. However, sometimes the constituent components (honey, Kalanchoe, eucalyptus oil, mint, thyme, etc.) cause allergic reactions. In addition, some medicinal plants are not recommended for use during pregnancy.

The safest ways to combat dry mucous membranes are to use a humidifier, drops based on sea salt and oils. Supplement your treatment plan with breathing exercises, acupressure, warming up your feet, and improvements will not keep you waiting.

Conclusion: As you can see, treating dry nose is not particularly difficult. If you do everything correctly, then after a few days there will be no trace of dryness left.

Source: http://gaimoriti.ru/proyavleniya/suxost-v-nosu.html

Dry nose: mechanism and factors of occurrence, connection with diseases, how to treat

Abundant superficial blood supply to the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity, the presence of a large number of small mucous glands, and excess secretion of the lacrimal glands entering here ensure constant moisture of the mucous membranes of this part of the respiratory tract.

This is necessary, first of all, to ensure constant drainage in the direction of the nasopharynx of microparticles of dust, bacteria, and large viruses that enter the body when inhaled. Cleansing is also facilitated by the contraction of the cilia of the ciliated epithelium that lines the upper respiratory tract.

In addition, the olfactory receptors located right there only distinguish odors when they are covered with mucus. The daily volume of mucus secreted by the entire surface of the nasal cavity varies from 100 ml. up to 2 l.

The most comfortable temperature for this is considered to be 27–33 °C and the acid-base balance at a pH level of 5.5–6.5. Any fluctuations above or below the indicated indicators, arising for various reasons, as well as simply dehydration of the body, lead to the cessation of mucus secretion, which causes dryness in the nose, and crusts are formed, often having a bloody character.

The formation of crusts is promoted by itching and pain in the nose, causing obsessive scratching of the inner surface of the nose with a finger. The resulting blood crusts cause an unpleasant odor from the nose.

Causes of dry nose

The nasal mucosa dries out when exposed to external and internal factors.

External conditions include conditions such as an excessively dry climate at high or low ambient temperatures. The same effect occurs in rooms with central heating or constantly running air conditioning in the absence of regular ventilation.

Occupational hazards such as working in hot shops (heavy industry), in dusty areas (light industry), in chemical production, and cement factories have a negative impact on the mucous membrane of the nasal cavity.

Dryness and nasal congestion occurs with prolonged exposure to rarefied atmosphere conditions (mountainous areas, air travel).

Short-term and then permanent dryness of the mucous membranes of the nose is also caused by staying in smoky rooms, as well as intense tobacco smoking by the patient himself.

Internal causes of dry nose are often associated with unwanted side effects of a number of medications. These include anti-allergenic drugs (suprastin, diphenhydramine, etc.), as well as those that contain atropine.

Long-term use of sprays containing vasoconstrictors and hormonal drugs to combat a runny nose in a child also leads to persistent dryness of the nasal mucosa.

Constant alcohol intoxication also leads to dryness of the nasal cavity, since the breakdown products of alcohols, excreted, including through the exocrine glands, have a negative effect on their performance.

Thinning of the nasal mucosa, which means a decrease or cessation of secretion formation, occurs with chronic atrophic rhinitis. Approximately the same processes occur during age-related atrophy of the mucous membrane in elderly people.

Severe dryness in the nose is one of the characteristic symptoms of a disease such as Sjögren's syndrome, in which the salivary and lacrimal glands are initially affected, leading to their secretory insufficiency.

Sometimes dryness of the nasal mucosa is observed with scleroma, a long-term infection of the upper respiratory tract.

Constant dryness in the nose is observed during the onset of diabetes mellitus, often before the manifestation of its main symptoms.

Dry nose in pregnant women, in addition to the conditions described above, may be due to the special hormonal background of the woman during this period.

Main symptoms of dry nose

  1. Irritation, itching, burning in the walls of the nasal cavity.
  2. Nasal congestion, especially at night, which leads to severe snoring.
  3. Crusting on the nasal mucous membranes.
  4. Bleeding from minimal hemorrhagic impregnation of the crusts to prolonged, jet bleeding. This is explained by the superficial location of large vessels in the nasal mucosa.
  5. The appearance of a dry border at the external nasal openings, often with cracks and crusts soaked in blood.
  6. Loss of smell.

One cannot but agree with those scientists who claim that in terms of the degree of discomfort and decreased sense of quality of life, the described symptoms observed with dry nose are subjectively much more painful for patients to tolerate than myocardial infarction and its consequences. Therefore, special attention should be paid to curing the disease that leads to dryness of the nasal mucosa, and also make every effort to eliminate the associated symptoms.

Treatment for dry nose

1. Irrigation of the nasal mucosa with isotonic salt solutions

Most often, a sterile isotonic (0.9%) solution of table salt is used for this. In medicine, it is most often used for diluting medicinal substances before their intravenous administration. Irrigation with an isotonic solution leads to an improvement in the rheological properties of the mucus formed, and also improves the contractile movements of microflagella in the ciliated epithelium.

It is worth noting that drops made from sea or mineral waters in isotonic salt concentrations have a similar effect. The salts of potassium, magnesium, copper, iron, and calcium included in these preparations, in addition to activating drainage, are actively involved in reparative processes, restoring the structure of the mucosa. These are drugs such as Salin, Marimer, Otrivin More, Aqua Maris, Saltz. In some cases, the use of these drugs is quite enough to get rid of dry nose.

2. Limitation and refusal to use vasoconstrictor drops for the treatment of runny nose.

3. Mandatory regular ventilation of living rooms during the heating season and the use of room humidifiers in dry climates.

4. In case of excessive crusting, it is recommended to instill vegetable oils at the beginning of treatment.

The most commonly used oils are those that do not have strong odors and have neutral acidity: olive, peach, sunflower, flaxseed, sea buckthorn, sesame. Their use facilitates painless removal of crusts from the nasal mucosa, without possible bleeding.

Such oil drops with a complex composition as “Pinosol” and “Vitaon” have a similar effect.

After dissolving the crusts, further use of oils must be stopped, since their excess significantly reduces the oscillatory movements of the cilia, leading to their gluing.

Dryness in the nose, which appears as a manifestation of acute respiratory infections and flu, is perfectly relieved with ointments such as Interferno and Gripferon. Oxaline ointment has the same beneficial effect.

In other cases, ointments for lubricating the nasal mucous membranes are used to facilitate the removal of crusts and stimulate the healing of the underlying inflamed, eroded surfaces of the nasal wall. For this purpose, Fleming's Ointment has been widely used. The same effect is exerted by the ointment “Rescuer”, “Traumel S”, gel “Pantestin”, balm “Narisan”.

6. In order to strengthen the vascular wall of the nasal vessels and prevent nosebleeds in case of dry nose, the tableted drug “Ascorutin” is prescribed.

7. The use of physiotherapeutic methods is limited to photodynamic therapy and inhalation of isotonic salt solutions.

8. If dry nose is associated with the use of antihistamines, a consultation with the doctor who prescribed them is necessary to decide whether to discontinue or change the drug.

Treatment of dry nose with folk remedies is limited mainly to inhalation of decoctions of medicinal plants such as chamomile, yarrow and calendula. In addition, warm decoctions of these herbs are used as local compresses on the skin of the vestibule of the nose if it dries out with crusts and cracks.

Also in folk medicine, freshly squeezed Aloe juice is used as drops (1-2 in each nostril) to relieve dry nose.

It should be remembered that self-treatment of dry nose should not begin without prior consultation with a specialist, especially in cases where the characteristic symptoms are accompanied by frequent and prolonged nosebleeds.

If there is no ENT doctor in the medical institution, you can and should contact a general practitioner or family doctor for help. If, as a result of self-treatment, the desired effect is not achieved, then a second visit to a specialist should follow.

Source: http://uhonos.ru/nos/simptomy-nosa/suxost/

How to treat dry nose and crusts: causes and what to do

Almost everyone who has visited an otolaryngologist complains of similar symptoms. The prevalence of this problem can be surprising, but why does it occur so often, and can dry nose and crusts be a symptom of a serious illness?

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  • Causes of dry nose

Causes of crusts and dry nose

What are crusts in the nose? This is mucus, blood or pus that accumulates in the nose and dries to form a crust. In fact, such consequences are caused by a malfunction of the mucous membrane.

Because of the crusts, the blood supply to the mucous membrane is disrupted, poor nasal breathing is observed, and as a result, the person’s well-being is affected.

This is enough to motivate you to actively fight the disease. True, relief often comes only during the procedures.

External causes of dry nose

External causes include all kinds of environmental influences. Dry nose and crusting can cause:

  • visit to the steam room;
  • insufficient air humidity;
  • long stay in a dusty room;
  • injuries and burns of the mucous membrane;
  • emotional and psychogenic factors;
  • reaction to animal fur;
  • cold;
  • sudden climate change;
  • inhalation of certain substances;
  • use of air conditioner and air freshener.

Interesting to know! Symptoms are typical for workers in the chemical, textile, and cement industries. Happens to janitors, miners and librarians, plasterers.

Hormonal reasons

Often the occurrence of dry nose and hard crusts is associated with hormonal fluctuations caused by:

Reaction to substances in medications

One of the reasons for the formation of dry crusts in the nose is rhinitis, which appears due to the use of vasoconstrictor drugs.

doctors say that there may be improper use of the drug, too long or too frequent use, a reaction to the components of the drug

Vasoconstrictors, or decongestants, as experts also call them, do not cure a runny nose, they only alleviate the symptoms. And the mechanism of their action is as follows: they inhibit the ciliated epithelium, as a result of which the swelling of the mucous membrane decreases and secretion decreases.

With prolonged use of drugs of this type, the epithelium is damaged.

Diseases and pathologies

Diseases and pathologies constitute the widest group of causes that cause dry mucous membranes and the appearance of crusts in the nose. These include:

  • Long-term rhinitis - chronic allergic rhinitis.
  • Ozen's disease or foul runny nose. The disease is accompanied by atrophic changes in the mucous, bone and cartilage tissues and the release of an unpleasant-smelling secretion.
  • Scleroma. The mucous membrane is affected by the Volkovich-Frisch bacillus. Accompanied by dryness and nasal congestion, which is not relieved by medications.
  • Autoimmune disease - Sjögren's syndrome - dry syndrome. Pathology of the endocrine glands, in which the mucous membrane dries out.
  • Wegener's granulomatosis. Also an autoimmune disease, characterized by changes and inflammatory damage to blood vessels.
  • The calculus is a nasal stone. It consists of calcium, magnesium, and phosphate salts.

As it enlarges, it prevents the secretion from coming out, and when you try to remove it, it scratches the mucous membrane, as it has sharp edges, which further aggravates the situation. Ultimately, dried secretions and dried blood accumulate in the nose.

The cause of the formation may be pieces of cotton wool or foreign bodies caught in the nose.

  • Folliculitis and other diseases caused by Staphylococcus aureus.
  • Herpetic rashes.
  • Hypothyroidism.
  • Stomach problems.
  • Problems with the central nervous system and autonomic nervous system.
  • Vitamin and iron deficiency.
  • In addition, dryness and crusts in the nose can be caused by injuries:

• deformation of the nasal septum,

The reason may be the anatomical features of the structure of the nose:

  • congenital pathology, such as a deviated nasal septum;
  • wide nasal passages;
  • close location of vessels to the surface.

Sometimes the cause cannot be established, then the diagnosis will contain the word “idiopathic”

Sensations that complement the clinical picture of crusts in the nose

The sensations that a patient experiences in diseases that manifest themselves with similar symptoms cannot be called pleasant: dryness and burning, a feeling of tightness of the mucous membrane, nasal congestion.

This is accompanied by the inability to recognize odors, dry mouth due to constant mouth breathing, and snoring.

SYMPTOMS may be supplemented by headaches arising from difficulty breathing and, as a result, lack of oxygen, and an unpleasant odor.

It is important to know! It is difficult to remove crusts without damaging the intradermal layer of the nose. Most often, such manipulations lead to the formation of new crusts, cracks, and subsequently, over a long period of time, to erosion of the mucous membrane.

How to diagnose the disease

To identify the cause, a specialist takes a smear for microflora, does an X-ray or tomography of the nasal sinuses to exclude the purulent origin of the crusts, and performs rhinoscopy.

In some cases, an endoscope is used for deep examinations. It is important to determine the degree of the inflammatory process and the source of its spread.

The crusts are clearly visible during rhinoscopy. Often they cover the walls tightly, without gaps. You can diagnose the origin of crusts by their color:

  • white is dried mucus;
  • dark ones appear when you spend a long time in a dusty room or outdoors;
  • yellow and green indicate purulent inflammation, are a sign of infection, they often accompany sinusitis;
  • red signals weak blood vessels, burst capillaries, and atrophic changes in the mucous membrane. There may be no discharge, but there is a burning sensation and dryness, and crusts form in the nose.

Ideally, treatment should be prescribed by a doctor. Treatment can be either general or local. If pathology occurs, then folk remedies cannot solve the problem; surgical intervention may be required.

Ways to treat dry and crusty nose

If the symptoms are caused by external factors, then sometimes it is enough to eliminate them, and the condition will improve.

  1. Humidifying the air in the house. For this, both special devices - humidifiers and homemade tricks are used, such as an aquarium with fish, open containers with water, wet rags on a radiator, or a bottle of water with a rag on it. Ventilation and wet cleaning will help.
  2. Normalization of the drinking regime if dry nose and crusts are caused by a lack of water in the body. It is known that a person should drink at least 2.5 liters of water per day. This rule should be followed.
  3. Refusal of vasoconstrictors. After discontinuation of the drugs that caused this reaction, the condition returns to normal.
  4. Treatment of the root cause, if the disease is a consequence of another disease, for example caries, sore throat, tonsillitis.
  5. If you have to work in dusty areas, you should wear a respirator. If this is a reaction to house dust, you need to remove the carpets and clean more often.
  6. Strengthening the immune system.

Newborn babies also sometimes develop crusts in their nose due to dryness. One way to get rid of crusts is a simple procedure for removing them. It is sometimes not easy to carry out the procedure, since children do not like it very much. They turn their heads and cry.

To remove crusts from a newborn or small child, a cotton swab is used, which is moistened in sterile oil.

The flagellum is placed in the child’s nasal passage, scrolled a little and pulled towards itself. The crusts are softened and removed.

Treatment is medicinal

They use topical preparations produced in the form of ointments, drops and sprays.

Apply to turundas and cover the nasal passage with crusts or take with a cotton swab and coat the nasal passages. The procedure is usually carried out after washing up to 3 times a day, most often before bed and after waking up.

Depending on the causes of the disease, ointments of different compositions are used:

  • Fleming's ointment (homeopathic). The main active ingredients are calendula, witch hazel and horse chestnut extract.
  • Traumeel S. Also a homeopathic ointment. Contains witch hazel, echinacea, calendula, arnica and other botanicals.
  • Balm Rescuer. Contains sea buckthorn and olive oil, calendula extract, vitamins A and E.
  • Phytobalm Vitaon - based on fennel, rose hip, and celandine oils.
  • Oxolinic ointment has a wound-healing and moisturizing effect.
  • Levomekol, Neosporin, Bactroban - ointments with antibiotics.
  • Methyluracil ointment. Has a healing and immunological effect.

After daily use of the ointment, relief comes in about a week.

Sprays

They have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.

  • Polydexa. Contains substances with vasoconstrictor, anti-inflammatory and antibiotic effects: phenylephrine, neomycin, polymyxin.
  • Isofra. Contains the antibiotic framycetin. Has a powerful antibacterial effect. Useless for allergic rhinitis.
  • Dryness is relieved by sprays such as Marimer, Otrivin Sea, Physiomer, Salin, Humer - all of them are based on isotonic sea water. Strengthens blood vessels and has an antibacterial effect.

Drops: Essentially, these are the same drugs as sprays, only in a different form.

Inhalations

Passed through a nebulizer. If the crusts are of bacterial origin, use antiseptic drugs: Miramistin, Chlorophyllipt, Dioxidin.

Sinus rinsing

Washing is done with Aquamaris and Aqualor 3-4 times a day.

In addition, hypertonic and isotonic solutions are used.

Even ordinary Vaseline is used for treatment. It prevents crusts from drying out and has a moisturizing effect.

It is important to know! If the disease lasts for a long time, if it is not treated by other means, cauterization is performed, due to which the growth of new cells is activated.

Treatment with folk remedies

Folk remedies are in no way inferior in effectiveness to medications, and in some cases their use is more justified.

Inhalations

Inhalations with the addition of essential oils of menthol, mint, and eucalyptus are popular. You need to drop a few drops of oil into hot water and inhale the vapors, covering your head with a towel.

Washing the nasopharynx

  • Rinse with infusions of linden, chamomile, and mint.
  • Prepare a decoction of sage, chamomile and linden together. 3 tbsp. l. Add 400 ml of water to each plant and bring to a boil. They insist.
  • Birch and mint leaves (1 tbsp each) are poured with one glass of boiling water, infused, filtered, and 1 tsp is added. soda
  • It is good to use natural sea water. People who know bring a bottle with them from the sea just in case. It also helps with colds. Used for rinsing and as drops. If there is no sea water, you can prepare it yourself: take 1 liter of water for 10 g of salt. The solution is brought to a boil; when it cools, it can be washed.
  • Plantain infusion is prepared as follows: take 40 g of dry plant per 200 ml of water, boil in a water bath for 15 minutes, cool, filter, and rinse.

Nasal drops

The oil has a healing effect and also softens the crusts. You can use any vegetable oil, but it is best to take sea buckthorn oil. You can simply smear the mucous membrane with your finger or soak a tampon with oil and put it in your nose overnight. You can lie down with your head thrown back, generously lubricating your nasal passages with oil for 25–30 minutes.

In addition to sea buckthorn oil, tea tree, olive, and grape seed oils are used for instillation.

Tea tree oil is mixed with baby cream to make it thicker. Sea buckthorn oil is used in combination with wild rose (rosehip) oil, instilling sea buckthorn oil one day, rosehip oil the other.

  • Milk stimulates mucus production and softens crusts. It can be instilled into the nose.
  • Place 2 drops of aloe and Kalanchoe juice into each nostril. Can be diluted 1:1 with water. The juice of carrots and beets is instilled in the same way.
  • Honey and onion drops are prepared for instillation. Mix 50 ml of water, 3 tbsp. l. chopped onion, 0.5 tsp. honey Strain before the procedure.

Other Treatments for Dry Nose

Some treatments cannot be classified into the above categories, for example:

  1. Inhalation of seaweed powder. The powder is ground into dust in a coffee grinder and inhaled carefully so that the powder does not get deep into the respiratory tract.
  2. Complex therapy using boiled potatoes, soda and menthol oil. Oil is instilled into the nose, and boiled warm potatoes are applied to the sinuses. Until the potatoes cool. After the procedure, the nose is washed with soda.
  3. Propolis ointment. Take equal amounts of propolis and baby cream. Propolis is melted in a water bath and quickly mixed with the cream.

Note! Bath procedures have a beneficial effect on the body's condition due to moisturizing the mucous membrane.

It would seem that dryness and crusts in the nose do not require special attention and treatment. However, this problem may be insurmountable for some.

Remember that the list of possible causes includes serious diseases, the treatment of which should be carried out under the supervision of a doctor.

Useful video on the topic of treating dryness and crusting in the nose

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I always use Aquamaster for congestion; I don’t trust other products. Sometimes in the evenings I rinse my nose with saline solution. Everything works very well, moisturizes, but does not harm the mucous membrane.

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