With the cold of winter often comes a whole host of physical irritations, including a dry nose. If you find yourself suffering with a dry nose as the weather turns cold, there are things you can do to find relief.
Causes
The inside lining of your nose is more likely to become dry when the air is low in humidity or when you are suffering from a cold, allergies or sinusitis, according to the National Institutes of Health. Because chilly weather often brings with it viruses and indoor heaters pumping hot, dry air, many people suffer from a dry nose during winter.
Symptoms
Along with a feeling of dryness inside your nose, the lining of your nose may feel irritated and more sensitive. A dry nose may also lead to nosebleeds.
Remedies
Adding moisture to the air with a humidifier or vaporizer can help relieve a dry nose. You can add an extra layer of clothing and turn your heat down a few degrees or place bowls of water near your heaters to add moisture to the air as well. An over-the-counter saline nasal spray or a water-soluble lubricant applied to the inside of your nose can also help, though the Mayo Clinic advises using lubricants sparingly and not within several hours of lying down.
Warning
People with a dry nose often use petroleum jelly. Though generally considered safe, the Mayo Clinic explains that prolonged inhalation of petroleum jelly, in rare cases, can cause lipoid pneumonia, a serious inflammation of the lungs. This condition can cause cough, chest pain, shortness of breath or no symptoms at all. The treatment for lipoid pneumonia is generally just to discontinue using the petroleum jelly, according to the Mayo Clinic.
When to See a Doctor
While nosebleeds can often be a harmless result of a dry nose, if you are experiencing frequent nosebleeds, consult your doctor. According to the National Institutes of Health, frequent nosebleeds may be a sign of high blood pressure, a bleeding disorder or a nasal or sinus tumor.
