9 Effective Home Remedies To Treat A Dry Nose

Seasonal changes, allergies, dehydration, and other environmental stressors may sometimes lead to a dry nose.

While this is nothing to worry about, certain natural remedies can help treat dry nose at home.

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). A crusty nose can cause discomfort and pain.

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

Using natural oils is a good dry nose remedy. 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.

You Will Need

Virgin coconut oil

What You Have To Do

Pour a drop or two of coconut oil in each nostril.

How Often You Should Do This

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.

You Will Need

• 1 teaspoon pure salt or sea salt
• 1/2 cup water
• Spray bottle

What You Have To Do

1. Mix the salt with the water and pour this into the spray bottle.
2. Bend your head towards the floor and spritz the salt water a few times into the nasal cavities.
3. You can also take some of the saline water in your palm and inhale it so that it reaches as far as possible in the sinus cavities. Blow it out after 10 seconds.
4. You can also purchase empty nasal spray bottles. Most drugstores sell saline nasal sprays over the counter.

How Often You Should Do This

Use the saline spray 3-4 times a day.

3. Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E oil is a good dry nostril remedy as it 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.

You Will Need

Vitamin E capsules

What You Have To Do

1. Pierce the vitamin E capsule.
2. Tilt your head upwards and pour two to three drops of the oil into the nostrils.

How Often You Should Do This

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).

You Will Need

• Virgin olive oil
• Dropper

What You Have To Do

Using the dropper, pour a few drops of olive oil into the nostrils.

How Often You Should Do This

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).

You Will Need

• Organic sesame oil
• Dropper

What You Have To Do

1. Tilt your head backward and pour a drop of sesame oil in each nostril.
2. Inhale deeply so that the oil reaches the internal nasal passages.

How Often You Should Do This

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).

You Will Need

• Hot water
• A large bowl/basin
• A big towel

What You Have To Do

1. Pour the hot water in the bowl.
2. Cover your head with the towel and inhale the steam from the bowl for about 10 minutes.
3. Blow your nose gently after this.

How Often You Should Do This

Inhale steam 2-4 times a day.

Quick Tip

Keep your face at least 12 inches from the boiled water while breathing in the steam to avoid burning your face or nose.

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. Low humidity, cold weather, and seasonal change can cause nasal congestion, runny nose, and breathing difficulty. If you experience a dry nose, consider remedies like using a humidifier. However, if the case is of a runny nose, knowing how to stop a runny nose can help manage symptoms effectively.

Humidifiers or vaporizers are one of the best home remedies for dry noses and 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.

Quick Tip

Keep furnishings free of dust and your home tidy and devoid of anything that can irritate your respiratory system.

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.

Warning

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.

9. Neti Pot

Using a saline solution with neti pot helps cleanse the nasal cavity and remove inflammation-causing substances from the nostrils (13).

You Will Need

• Neti pot
• 1 cup of lukewarm water
• 1 teaspoon of non-iodized salt
• A clean towel

What You Have To Do

1. Mix the non-iodized salt in lukewarm water to prepare the saline solution.
2. Add this solution to a clean, dry neti pot.
3. Stand over a sink with your head tilted sideward at a 45-degree angle.
4. Place the neti pot’s spout into your upper nostril while breathing through your mouth.
5. Slowly pour the saline solution into the upper nostril so that it can drain from the lower nostril.
6. Remove the neti pot and bring your head up.
7. Breathe through both nostrils to clear out your nose.
8. Repeat the same process for the other nostril.

How Often You Should Do This

Once a day

While these home remedies can provide temporary relief, preventing a dry nose is key to long-term comfort. Learn more about them below.

Preventative Measures For Dry Nose

To prevent dry nose, consider the following tips:

• Use a humidifier to add moisture to the air, especially during dry winter months.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your mucous membranes moist.
• Limit exposure to irritants like smoke, pollution, and harsh chemicals.
• Excessive nose blowing can irritate the nasal lining. Blow your nose gently and avoid forceful blowing.

Infographic: Essential Oils You Can Add To Your Humidifier To Relieve A Dry Nose

A dry nose may be caused by a number of factors, including a bacterial or viral infection, sinusitis, or dry environment. It usually accompanies symptoms such as congestion, inflammation, and headaches. Using a humidifier is one of the simplest ways to relieve the dryness in your nose and add moisture back to it. You can add some essential oils to your humidifier for a boost of benefits. Check out the infographic below to know which essential oils are the most suitable for relieving a dry nose.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

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 nosebleeds. 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 (14). 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) (15).

Learn how to prevent and manage a dry nose with simple tips and tricks listed in this video. Get the relief you need and keep your nose healthy. Watch now!

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Dr. Abby KramerDC

   

Dr. Kramer has 7 years of experience as a Chiropractor + Holistic Physician practicing in the Chicagoland area. She has been featured in various publications, including The Huffington Post, Bustle, E Health Radio Network, and the American Chiropractic Association Journal of Rehabilitation.

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