Dry nose

Nasal congestion and dryness make nasal breathing difficult and thus prevent the nasal mucosa (the ciliated epithelium of the mucous membrane) from performing its basic functions: filtering, warming and humidifying the air inhaled by the lungs.

So if you suffer from constant dryness in the nose, you should keep in mind that your chances of catching an airborne infection are almost 100%.

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Causes nasal dryness

Dryness in the nose and throat is often complained of by people living in dry climates, where the humidity of the atmospheric air is below 40%. In our climate zone, dry mouth and nose appear in heated rooms in winter, and in summer - when the air conditioner is running for a long time, when the humidity drops to 20-25%. Some people's nasal mucosa dries out even from chlorinated tap water. And, of course, those who are involved in chemical or cement production by nature of their work constantly face this problem.

Dryness and crusts in the nose can also be a consequence of taking medications, such as antihistamines for allergy treatment or hormonal agents. Dryness of the nasal mucosa is noted after prolonged use of vasoconstrictor nasal drops, which contain atropine and its derivatives.

Dryness in the nose of a child is a common symptom of catarrhal chronic rhinitis caused by an infection. In addition, it can be associated with the use of various nasal remedies for the treatment of a runny nose. Especially when the child's nose is instilled for a long time.

As otolaryngologists note, dryness of the nasal mucosa, as well as excessive formation of dry crusts on it, can be atrophic or hypertrophic rhinitis, that is, chronic inflammation of the nasal mucosa. With this disease, the feeling of dryness in the nasal cavity is accompanied by a decrease in the sense of smell and nosebleeds.

Rarely, but it does happen that complaints of dryness and nasal congestion are the first symptom of nasal scleroma (rhinoscleroma) - a chronic infectious disease in which the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract is affected by the Frisch-Volkovich bacillus.

Dryness of the mucous membranes, including the nose and mouth, is also a characteristic sign of such an autoimmune disease as Sjogren's syndrome, which affects almost all the glands of the external secretion of the body. Finally, it should be taken into account that dryness in the nose is an indispensable companion of diabetes mellitus and a decrease in the production of sex hormones in elderly men and women.

Dryness in the nose during pregnancy can be caused by almost all the reasons listed above. Against the background of the restructuring of the woman's body during pregnancy, this pathology, like dry mouth, is quite common.

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Symptoms nasal dryness

Symptoms of the disease manifest themselves as a feeling of dryness and burning in the nose, itching in the nasal cavity, nasal congestion (especially at night), and crusting on the mucous surface. Headaches and nosebleeds may occur.

Dryness appears around the nose - along the edge between the mucous membrane and the skin of the nostrils, while painful cracks may appear on the skin, which sometimes bleed.

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Treatment nasal dryness

The basis of treatment for dry nose is local symptomatic therapy aimed at regenerating the nasal mucosa by moisturizing it and softening the crusts formed from the drying secretion of the nasal glands.

What to do if your nose is dry? Start with the air in your apartment: its humidity level should be no lower than 60-70%. "Moisturize" the entire body - drink water, tea, compote, juice (so that the tissues have enough liquid). Moisturize the drying mucous membrane of the nose separately - so that crusts do not form, which hinder normal physiological breathing.

When treating dry nose, a positive effect is achieved by irrigating the mucous membrane with salted water (half a teaspoon of table or sea salt per glass of boiled water - 2-3 times in each nostril 3-4 times a day).

For the same purpose, preparations based on sea water are produced. For example, the spray for dry nose Otrivin More contains an isotonic solution of Atlantic Ocean water, the spray Aqua Maris - water of the Adriatic Sea. Sprays Aqualor and Saline contain an isotonic solution of sodium chloride (known to us as table salt), and also, as the manufacturers claim, all the active substances and microelements of sea water.

Spray-balm Narisan contains olive oil, honey, extracts of calendula, witch hazel and Kalanchoe pinnate, as well as essential oils of tea tree, eucalyptus, pine, cajeput, peppermint and cedar. The drug has an antiseptic, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, regenerating and anti-edematous effect and is used by adults and children over 5 years old for diseases of the upper respiratory tract with difficulty breathing through the nose.

To treat dry nose, you can use Vitaon - a regenerating preparation for external use for skin and mucous membranes, which is an oil extract of peppermint leaves, pine buds, rose hips and fennel fruits, wormwood herb, yarrow, St. John's wort, thyme, celandine, as well as calendula and chamomile flowers.

Doctors recommend lubricating the nasal cavity with an oil solution of vitamins A and E (Aevit) or Aekol solution, which contains these vitamins and is used externally as a wound-healing agent. For gentle removal of crusts, 2% salicylic ointment is used.

The main folk remedies for dry nose include various oils - olive, peach, almond, linseed, sesame oil, tea tree oil. Oils prevent the mucous membrane from drying out if you regularly, at least three times a day, lubricate your nose with them.

Dryness in the nose not only causes a person to feel discomfort, but also leads to a decrease in the body's resistance to infections. Therefore, it is necessary to take all measures to restore the normal condition of the nasal mucosa.