4 Nose Problems And How To Deal With Them

Updated on May 29, 2022
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The nose may only be a small part of your body, but it plays a very important role. Just take a moment to imagine how your life would be without your nose. It helps you breathe and smell. And if the nose falls ill, it can’t perform some of its basic functions. While many nose problems are only minor, some may lead to more serious concerns like infection and life-threatening problems.

Fortunately, advancements in technology have paved the way for the presence of good medical treatment options. Your nose problems can easily be solved with the diagnosis and treatment from a trusted ENT doctor.

In this article, you’ll learn about some of the most common nose problems and their common remedies.

1. Sinus Infection (Sinusitis)

Sinus infection is characterized by a swelling or inflammation in the tissue lining of the nose’s sinuses. This is the part of the nose that has the responsibility to make thin mucus drained out. The drainage is important to have a bacteria-free nose. It’s precisely for this reason that when the sinus ceases to function well, an inflammation occurs.

Sinusitis can happen to anyone, and this is usually caused by the common cold and seasonal allergies. Along with seeing your doctor, there are things you can do to help speed up your recovery, including:

  • Drinking plenty of water so you can flush out the virus out of your system;
  • Sleeping with a humidifier at night as this can help relieve nighttime nasal blockages;
  • Exposing your sinus to steam inhalation, which can be as simple as inhaling the damp air after taking a hot shower;
  • Applying a warm compress so you can ease your facial pain.

2. Dry Nose

Dry nose can occur when the mucus membranes in your sinus area lack moisture. Alongside having dry nasal passages, this can also lead to discomfort, nosebleeds, and other uncomfortable symptoms in your throat, head, mouth, and nose. The common symptoms you may experience are:

  • Sore throat
  • Dry mouth
  • Headache

Here are some of the most effective remedies you can try out for a dry nose:

  • Petroleum Jelly

This is one of the safest products to use to help moisturize your nose. All you have to do is apply a small dab of petroleum jelly to your nose’s lining.

  • Nasal Spray

This is effective in wetting your nasal passages. Another advantage of using a saline nasal spray is it can moisturize your nose while also clearing out dust and pollen. And yeah, you must consider a nasal spray from a verified pharmaceutical company that uses a top-rated nasal spray device. Otherwise, this may cause irritations and some other side effects.

  • Proper Hydration

Drinking lots of fluids can help you moisturize your nose from the inside out.

3. Nasal And Sinus Polyps

Nasal polyps refer to teardrop-shaped growths that first develop on the nose’s lining. These are usually evident along the area where the sinuses open up to the nasal cavity. Nasal and sinus polyps are usually non-cancerous. They’re caused by recurrent sinusitis, swelling, and irritation. 

When the polyps are still small, you won’t be troubled by it to the point that you won’t even know it’s there. It’s only when the polyps start to get bigger that you’ll feel the discomfort. Coming along with it are sinus headache and pressure, nasal obstruction, and trouble in breathing.

If you suffer from nasal polyps, your remedies include:

  • Taking the medications prescribed by your ENT doctor like steroids and biologics;
  • Using nasal rinses to flush out your nasal passages;
  • Endoscopic surgery for extreme cases.

4. Allergic Rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is also known as hay fever. This is a common allergic reaction that manifests symptoms like sore throat, sneezing, and nasal congestion. Hay fever can start to arise when you’re exposed to tiny particles in the air known as allergens, usually dust mites, pollen from trees and plants, and molds.

Common symptoms of allergic rhinitis include:

  • Sneezing
  • Excessive fatigue
  • Runny, itchy, and stuffy nose
  • Hives
  • Coughs


Allergic rhinitis can easily be treated in several ways, but your treatment options should be best discussed with your doctor. Medical experts usually recommend treatment forms like:

  • Antihistamines, which are effective at blocking allergies by stopping your body from making histamines;
  • Eye drops and nasal sprays to help relieve itchiness and other symptoms;
  • Complementary medicine like acupuncture, probiotics, and nasal saline irrigation.

Conclusion

Now that you’re aware of some of the most common nose problems, you should also be feeling more confident if you feel you’re suffering from one. The bottom line is to never self-medicate. When the first symptoms of a nose problem present themselves to you, you have to see an ENT for the proper treatment and remedy. While seemingly minor problems, when they’re left to progress, nose problems can also lead to discomfort and other serious symptoms.

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