Easy Tips to Relieve and Prevent Dry Nose

Dry nose

Who doesn’t enjoy taking a big, deep breath of fresh air in through the nose? It’s one of life’s simple, restorative pleasures. Except, perhaps, when your nose is unusually dry.

Dry nose is when there’s an uncomfortable sensation of dryness in your nasal passage. Nasal dryness can stem from factors in the environment, your lifestyle and stage, or certain health concerns.

Keeping your nasal passages moist is essential for good nose and sinus health. A moist layer of mucus in your nose provides a vital protective barrier.

In this article, you’ll discover some ways to prevent your nasal passages from drying out and soothe symptoms of dry nose.

Common cause of dry nose

woman with dry nose

Dry nose, sometimes called rhinitis sicca, is a sensation of dryness within the nasal passages. It can be uncomfortable and may lead to symptoms such as:

Itching and burning

Crusting or scabs

Nosebleeds

Reduced sense of smell

The causes of dry nose can vary widely and include environmental, lifestyle and health factors.

1. Environmental causes of dry nose

Environmental factors can play a role in causing dry nose, or making symptoms worse.

Living in — or traveling to — warm, dry climates can strip moisture from your nasal passages. Likewise, exposure to cold winter air or using heating or air conditioning systems may result in nasal dryness.

We all know that there are pitfalls in taking long flights, such as jet lag and airline food. But long-haul flights can also contribute to uncomfortably dry nasal passages. Dusty or smokey environments can also cause or worsen nasal dryness.

2. Lifestyle factors behind nasal dryness

Your body can become parched if you don’t drink enough fluids. Dehydration can affect multiple systems and tissues in your body. This includes the mucosal lining of your sinuses and nasal passages.

Older adults may experience increased nasal dryness due to natural changes in their bodies.

3. Health-related causes of dry nasal passages

If environmental or lifestyle-related causes don’t seem to explain your dry nose, your symptoms may relate to an underlying health factor, including:

Allergies or infections: Exposure to pollen and dust can irritate the nasal passages, leading to dryness. Early signs of a cold can sometimes present as dryness.

Medications: Certain medications, particularly antihistamines and decongestants, are known to cause nasal dryness as a side effect.

Oxygen Therapy: Use of nasal oxygen or CPAP devices may dry out nasal tissues.

Health Conditions: Certain chronic health conditions can also result in persistent dryness.

If you’re concerned about your dry nose symptoms, see your doctor. Your doctor is best placed to help you manage the underlying cause of your dry nose.

Simple Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Dry Nose

woman drinking water

Several effective home remedies or lifestyle changes can help relieve and prevent symptoms of dry nose:

Use a humidifier at home to increase moisture levels in the air, providing relief from dryness.

If you don’t have a humidifier, inhaling steam from hot water or taking steamy showers can temporarily relieve dryness.

Avoid dry, dusty or smokey environments to prevent dry nose symptoms from getting worse.

Stay well-hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids to help maintain moisture in the nasal passages.

Managing Dry Nose with FLO

flo range of products

You can help manage nasal dryness with suitable nasal care products designed to help create or maintain moisture within the nasal passages.

An oil-based spray, such as FLO Nozoil Nasal Spray, provides moisture and creates a protective barrier against drying air. It helps soothe dry and crusting nasal tissue, providing relief.

Using saline nasal sprays like FLO Saline Plus or FLO Nasal Mist can help hydrate and soothe the nasal passages while clearing away irritants.

Explore more of the range of FLO nasal care products for better long-term nasal health.

Dry nose can be irritating. But it can usually be managed with simple home remedies, lifestyle adjustments and appropriate nasal care products. If your symptoms persist, speak with your doctor.