Your nose not only helps you breathe and smell but also helps keep the dust, dirt, and allergic pollens from entering your system. But a dry nose may cause difficulty in vision and trouble breathing. Along with the skin, your nose is among the body’s first lines of defense. Hence, it is important to keep it functioning well. The following remedies can help relieve dry nose. Check them out.
What Is A Dry Nose?
A dry nose occurs when the internal nasal passages dry out. This can also cause crusting of the inner nose mucosa (1). Here are the most effective home remedies for dry nose you can try to get relief from the condition.
Dry Nose Home Remedies
1. Coconut Oil
Coconut oil can help moisturize the skin and fill the gaps between the dry cells (2). Applying it to the nostrils can help prevent dryness and reduce pain. Make sure not to overdo this remedy. Virgin coconut oil Pour a drop or two of coconut oil in each nostril. Do this once a day.
2. Saline Spray
Saline or saltwater is a simple home remedy for a dry nose, and it can be easily prepared at home. The salt water acts as a humidifier and keeps the nasal lining hydrated. It helps in clearing out mucus and irritants in the nasal passage (3). Caution: Do not use table salt as it may contain other additives that can irritate the nasal mucosa further.
1 teaspoon pure salt or sea salt 1/2 cup water Spray bottle
Use the saline spray 3-4 times a day.
3. Vitamin E Oil
Vitamin E oil helps increase the hydration of the skin and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (4), (5). A study shows that alpha-tocopherol (a type of vitamin E) could help in the treatment of pollen-induced allergic rhinitis (6). Hence, it may hydrate the nasal mucosa, relieve dryness, and accelerate the healing process of the nasal passages. Vitamin E capsules Do this 2 times a day.
4. Olive Oil
Olive oil, like coconut oil, hydrates the skin inside the nasal passages, thus alleviating the dryness (7). It also relieves irritation and swelling (8).
Virgin olive oil Dropper
Using the dropper, pour a few drops of olive oil in the nostrils. Repeat this 2 times daily.
5. Sesame Oil
The vitamin E content of sesame oil is higher than that of most other oils. It is a great moisturizer for dry skin. In a study, sesame oil was proven to work better than the saline irrigation method to relieve nasal dryness (9).
Organic sesame oil Dropper
Do this 2 times a day.
6. Steam
The easiest way to get rid of a dry nose is to inhale steam at regular intervals. This soothing remedy softens the dried mucus in the nasal passages (10).
Hot water A large bowl/basin A big towel
Inhale steam 2-4 times a day.
7. Humidifier
Dryness in the environment can worsen a dry nose and trigger congestion. Maintaining humidity in the room where you spend most of the day is a necessity in frigid weather conditions. Humidifiers or vaporizers are used to add moisture to the surroundings and can ease symptoms, such as irritation in the nose and dryness (11). In the absence of humidifiers, water-filled buckets can be placed near heating systems to create ambient humidity.
8. Sauna
Who doesn’t love a sauna bath? It is one of the best ways to treat dry nose and sore muscles. If you don’t prefer a sauna bath, simply heat a bath, add a few drops of aroma oil to it, and soak in its goodness for a few minutes. Do not stay in long unless you wish to get a leaky nose in exchange for a dry one. One remedy that people often tend to resort to for obtaining relief from a dry nose is using petroleum jelly. However, this remedy is not recommended by doctors. The internal application of petroleum jelly has been linked to a type of pneumonia (12). Hence, steer clear of this home remedy. What causes a dry nose? The common causes of a dry nose range from air conditioning and dehydration to the side effects of medications, such as decongestants and antihistamines. Is a dry nose a serious symptom? A dry nose results in nasal irritation, itching, swelling, wheezing, and bleeding from the nose. When this dryness lasts for more than 10 days, you should consult your doctor as it may indicate serious underlying conditions, such as Sjogren’s syndrome. Also, if you experience symptoms related to infections, such as high fever, nonstop bleeding, and lethargy, consult your doctor immediately. What are the potential complications of a dry nose? The potential complications of a dry nose include dry skin, blurred vision, skin rashes, wheezing, and other breathing problems. What to eat and avoid to relieve a dry nose? • Drink enough fluids. The depletion of body fluids makes the body tissues dry. Plenty of water is required to make the nasal tissues work efficiently. Drink a minimum of eight to ten glasses of water per day. • Having hot and spicy food or liquid items, for example, chicken soup, can moisten the nostrils and give you some relief. • Reduce your caffeine, alcohol, and salt intake as these are dehydrating agents. If you have a dry nose, avoid consuming these foods. • Cut down on any medication that increases the dryness after consulting your doctor. Medications tend to dehydrate the body, which often causes dry nasal passages. Keep your body properly hydrated if you need to take a high dose of medicine due to any existing illness. Can I put Vicks in my nose? No. The camphor in Vicks may be toxic to the body if absorbed through the mucous membrane, especially among children (13). In addition, petroleum-oil-based products such as Vicks Vapourub may cause exogenous lipoid pneumonia (a type of pneumonia caused by inhalation of fatty substances) (14).
