Dry nose

The designation dry nose does not stand for an independent disease, but is a symptom that can indicate different diseases. The causes are often infections, so that there are usually additional complaints. Treating a dry nose is straightforward in most cases.

What is a dry nose?

A dry nose is also known by medical professionals under the terms rhinitis sicca or atrophic rhinopathy. All names stand for the drying out of the nasal mucosa, which leads to an uncomfortable feeling in the nose.

The symptoms are usually accompanied by other symptoms such as itching or burning, difficult nasal breathing, worsening of smell or nosebleeds. In mild cases, the symptoms subside even if left untreated after a few days or can be treated quickly with home remedies.

Spontaneous feelings of dryness often disappear on their own after a few hours. If the symptoms persist and / or worsen for a long time, a doctor should be consulted to clarify the exact causes.

causes

The cause of a dry nose is often an incipient infection or a cold in the early stages. Before it comes to a stuffy nose and a real cold, the infection becomes noticeable through a dry mucous membrane in the nose.

Indoor air that is too dry, for example due to heating in the winter months, also causes the nasal and oral mucosa to dry out for many people. Direct inhalation of dust also temporarily causes a dry nose.

People who suffer from allergies experience not only an allergic runny nose and swelling of the mucous membranes but also an uncomfortable drying out inside the nose. If certain medications are taken, the symptoms can appear as a side effect. Under certain circumstances, greatly increased blood pressure can lead to the nasal mucosa drying out.

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Diagnosis & course

The diagnosis of a dry nose is usually made by the patient himself, because he is uncomfortably aware of the unusually dry mucous membrane. If he then visits a doctor, he will first have a detailed discussion with the person concerned in order to determine the cause.

A detailed examination of the nasal mucosa and, if necessary, taking a mucous membrane sample and a blood test usually provide quick information about the reasons for the symptoms. A dry nose does not always require medical treatment. The symptoms often go away on their own after a short time.

However, if the symptoms are very severe and accompanied by bleeding and pain, a doctor should be consulted, as otherwise the dry nose can also become chronic. A stubborn infestation with bacteria is also conceivable as a result of non-treatment.

Complications

If the dry nose is due to external stimuli, such as staying in a strongly heated and poorly ventilated room for a long time, the problem disappears on its own as soon as the patient avoids such situations. If this is not possible, the entire ear, nose and throat area can dry out very quickly, which promotes the implantation of pathogens. If left untreated, the dry nose can lead to serious infectious diseases.

With dry rhinitis, i.e. a form of inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane in which the production of nasal secretions is significantly reduced, a number of complications can also arise. In addition to the initial symptoms such as the urge to sneeze, severe itching and burning and the feeling that the nose is constantly blocked, there are other disorders. Blowing your nose or sneezing hard can damage the lining of the nose.

As a result, there is nosebleed. The resulting cracks in the nasal mucosa can also be painful and inflamed. Often there is strong crust and crust formation, which the patient perceives as a foreign body in the nose. Breathing through the nose is also made more difficult. If the rhinitis persists for a long period of time, it can cause tissue shrinkage in the nasal mucosa.

When should you go to the doctor?

The time to see a doctor has come when the dryness in the nose persists for a long time and / or is already causing the first further symptoms. During the heating season it can happen quite often that the nasal mucosa is very dry inside. Usually a nose full of fresh air is enough and a runny nose develops, which compensates for this.

If the condition improves in a well-ventilated room, everything is very likely in order. However, if the dry nose persists after fresh air or if it leads to regular (slight) nosebleeds, the cause should be clarified by a doctor. It is possible that the lining of the nose has been dry for so long that it is having difficulty recovering on its own. In these cases, the doctor will prescribe a nose cream that will end the condition.

Since nosebleeds occur when the nasal mucous membrane is dry, the doctor can also rule out worse diseases during the examination. For those affected, it is sometimes not easy to see whether the problem is really only related to the nasal mucosa. Epistaxis could also be a signal for diseases of the sinuses as well as the brain, which a layman cannot diagnose. Fortunately, these diseases are rare, but when they cause symptoms they need treatment very quickly.

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Treatment & Therapy

If the dry nose occurs only briefly or at the beginning of a mild cold, it does not necessarily have to be treated. However, it can help to moisten the nasal mucous membrane with seawater nasal spray and thus support the healing process.

Nasal rinsing with salt water or a steam bath with hot water have a soothing and at the same time preventive effect, as well as careful treatment of the inside of the nose with almond or sesame oil. If the room air is permanently too dry, it is advisable to increase the humidity in order to alleviate the symptoms. A sufficient supply of fluids helps to keep the mucous membranes moist and to form a defense against infections.

If the dry nose is accompanied by swelling of the mucous membranes, a doctor can prescribe nasal sprays that quickly reduce the swelling. However, these should never be taken for too long, otherwise the nasal mucous membrane can dry out permanently. The doctor can also specifically treat other cold symptoms that can occur together with a dry nose. If the symptoms are based on an allergy, the allergy trigger should be determined and avoided in the future. Acute symptoms can be alleviated with suitable medication.

Too high blood pressure is potentially dangerous for the entire organism and urgently requires medical treatment. In this case, it is mostly blood pressure drugs that are used. A change in lifestyle is also advisable, as blood pressure can usually be reduced permanently through a healthy lifestyle.

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prevention

A dry nose can be prevented to a certain extent by a healthy lifestyle, adequate hydration and not too dry indoor air. Especially in the cold season, prophylactic nasal showers and the use of seawater nasal spray can prevent the mucous membranes from drying out. Inhaling large amounts of dust should be avoided if possible, as well as contact with individual allergenic substances and substances.

There are many gentle home remedies available in pharmacies that are suitable for the prevention and treatment of a dry nose. If the symptoms do not subside on their own, a doctor should be consulted in case of doubt.

You can do that yourself

Those affected have the opportunity to counteract the suffering caused by a dry nose by using common home remedies. A sufficient supply of fluids is indispensable for a long-term recovery. In addition, the room air should be kept at an optimal humidity level of between 50 and 60 percent.

Regular ventilation with the windows wide open is also recommended. Renewing the air you breathe can also be useful just before going to bed. The use of a humidifier supports the air conditioning within the living area. A bowl of water or a wet towel on a warm heater is sufficient as a cheap alternative. In this way, water vapor is released directly into the environment for hours. Plants rich in water for interior areas of the apartment also make a valuable contribution to maintaining a healthy indoor climate.

Alternatively, a long walk in rainy weather helps. Inhaling vapors of a saline solution clears the airways and stimulates the formation of nasal secretions. Corresponding cold creams for inhalation for home use achieve a similar effect. In general, people with a dry nose should avoid cold winter air and not blow their nose excessively. In the case of a very long-lasting cold, not using nasal sprays against runny nose and swelling is a sensible countermeasure. If they are used too intensively, they permanently promote dryness in the nose.