Have you ever experienced extreme discomfort in your nostrils but had no idea why? What does it mean when your nose burns?
A burning nose is a common side effect of numerous things, from allergies to prolonged exposure to dry air.
While it doesn’t necessarily mean something serious is happening with your health, it could be worth talking to a doctor about at times.
This guide will dive into the different causes of a burning sensation in your nose and how you can stop the pain in its tracks.
We’ll even explore a few top-rated products to help with mild or severe symptoms resulting from a burning nose.
What Does It Mean When Your Nose Burns?
Our nose is likely one of the most sensitive parts of our body and is also a major necessity for many functions.
Firstly, it aids us in our breathing. Secondly, it gives us the ability to smell different things in our environment, as well as taste our favorite foods.
The nose is also prone to many common health issues, such as a runny nose, stuffy nose, postnatal drip, or bacterial infection.
Let’s explore some of the most common reasons you might be dealing with a burning nose:
Sinusitis
Sinusitis is a fascinating condition that affects your sinuses rather than your nose directly.
Your sinuses are right behind your forehead and cheeks and are typically empty cavities.
When dealing with sinusitis, or a sinus infection, these cavities fill with mucus and other components containing the viral infection.
A sinus infection can cause the following symptoms:
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Fever
- Coughing
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Postnasal drip
- Pain in your forehead or cheeks
You will need plenty of rest and to consume a lot of fluids to help with the movement of mucus.
In many instances, sinus infections tend to clear up on their own, but this depends on their severity.
If you feel like the pain is beyond your typical nasal symptoms, it is best to talk to your doctor, who may give you an antibiotic.
Top Products for Sinusitis
Here are a few key items you can have at home to help alleviate the discomfort from sinusitis:
- Sudafed PE Sinus Pressure + Pain
Sudafed is a top recommendation when dealing with sinus discomfort.
As a nasal decongestant, it helps alleviate inflammation in your nasal passage so you can breathe more comfortably.
This unique formula also contains ingredients to assist with reducing fevers, pain, and sinus headaches.
- Mucinex Sinus-Max
If you are looking for a sinusitis-friendly nasal spray, Mucinex Sinus-Max is a top-rated formula. It works quickly while alleviating nasal congestion for up to 12 hours.
This formula also features a soothing menthol ingredient, which can help alleviate burning in your nostrils.
- Boiron SinusCalm
Those looking for a more natural remedy to sinusitis will appreciate Boiron SinusCalm.
These meltaway tablets offer year-round sinus relief for both allergies and colds.
They are also non-drowsy, making them a fantastic homeopathic option for dealing with the symptoms of sinusitis.
Rhinitis
While sinusitis is a sinus infection that affects your sinus, rhinitis affects your nose directly. This is likely one of the most common causes of a burning nose.
In simple terms, rhinitis is a medical term for nasal inflammation, which can occur for several reasons.
For example, if you suffer from allergies, you will likely experience inflammation in your nasal cavity.
Or, if you detect a strong and pungent odor, such as perfume, this could also cause a bout of rhinitis.
Allergic rhinitis is another massive contributor, usually experienced with the onset of hay fever.
Some of the most common symptoms you will experience with a case of rhinitis include the following:
- Sneezing
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Watery eyes
- Burning and itchiness in the nose
- Burning and itchiness in the throat and eyes
- Headache
Did you know there is a different type of rhinitis that has nothing to do with allergies?
Non-allergic rhinitis could be the answer to your burning nose, even if you know you don’t have allergies.
You will present with many of the same symptoms, such as a stuffy nose, but it will affect you year-round rather than only during allergy season.
Top Products for Rhinitis
Unfortunately, just like the common cold, there isn’t a specific remedy to cure rhinitis.
However, there are plenty of great products you can use to help alleviate the symptoms and reduce nasal irritation.
Below, you will find a few of the best products to help with your rhinitis:
- Boiron RhinAllergy
Made with natural ingredients, Boiron RhinAllergy is a fantastic solution for dealing with rhinitis.
This homeopathic medicine is non-drowsy and is said to help alleviate sneezing, itchy and watery eyes, runny noses, and more.
Its formula is helpful for allergy sufferers above the age of two. If you order, you will receive 60 tablets per package.
- Nozin Nasal Sanitizer
For many rhinitis sufferers, the symptoms occur because of trace contaminants and allergens in their nasal passages.
That said, the Nozin Nasal Sanitizer is a fantastic solution to help get rid of any harmful components causing a rhinitis flareup.
As a sanitizer, it kills up to 99.99% of germs in your nasal passages, making it one of the top nasal antiseptics on the market.
- Amazon Basic Care All-Day Allergy Tablets
The Amazon Basic Care All-Day Allergy Tablets is a high-quality solution to allergic rhinitis symptoms and nasal health conditions.
These unique allergy pills are designed similarly to other big-name brands, featuring antihistamines to help reduce allergic reactions.
You can expect up to 24 hours of relief from itchy throats, runny noses, sneezing, and more.
Colds and Flus
Apart from allergy symptoms, a burning sensation in your nose is often a common side effect of common illnesses, such as the flu or cold.
It is also quite common in SARs-COV-2 virus patients, as many have reported the feeling of a burning nose with the illness.
In many instances, this painful nose sensation can occur due to dryness, especially if you haven’t adequately hydrated since being ill.
It could also result from specific medicines you have been taking to reduce sinus symptoms.
For example, if you’ve been using suppressing cough medicine, a dry and burning nose is more likely.
This is because these medicines are designed to dry your nasal passages to reduce the flow of mucus, which then causes coughing.
Top Products for Cold and Flu
These products are great to have around the house when dealing with uncomfortable nose sensations with a cold or flu:
- Matys Simply Breathe Nasal Ointment
The Matys Simply Breathe Nasal Ointment is a great alternative to nasal sprays, as it is designed with more natural ingredients.
Made with coconut oil and lemon balm, it helps alleviate any symptoms of allergies as well as dryness in the nose.
It is best used at night, especially if you have been dealing with stuffed and clogged nasal passages that need opening.
- Zicam Nasal AllClear
The Zicam Nasal AllClear is a great product to reduce a severe headache from a sinus infection or clogged nose.
Most people find the nasal cleanser’s cooling sensation help alleviate congestion and inflammation throughout the day.
At the same time, it helps protect your nasal passages by reducing the contaminants that stick to your nasal cavities.
- InstaCure Original Nose Balm
At first glance, the InstaCure Original Nose Balm looks like lip ChapStick, but it is uniquely designed for your nose.
This balm is incredibly helpful if you have been dealing with a loss of your sense of smell or an itchy nose from a cold or flu.
Made from organic cocoa butter, shea butter, aloe vera oil, Manuka honey, and more, it helps alleviate dryness and discomfort inside your nose.
Exposure to Strong Smells
Many don’t realize how sensitive our noses are to smells until they have dealt with a headache or burning nose from a pungent odor.
Whether you’ve been using highly scented cleaning products or inhaling too much tobacco smoke, nasal burning is quite common around heavy smells.
Fortunately, it won’t require medical attention, as most of the concerns are mild symptoms, but it can be challenging to live with.
There are people who suffer from chronic symptoms of an overreactive nose, making them unable to wear perfumes, scented deodorants, and even use specific hygiene products.
This is also why more medical facilities have gone scent-free, giving those with respiratory tract symptoms some relief.
The best thing you can do if you’re dealing with a burning nose is to try to stay away from strong odors.
Weather Changes
As the weather changes throughout the year, so does the type of air our bodies are exposed to. For example, winter air is far more drying than spring air, known for its humidity.
As such, it is quite common for people to deal with a burning or itchy feeling in their noses as the seasons transition.
Unfortunately, weather changes aren’t something you can control. Often, they cause mild symptoms, even to those with the strongest nasal passages.
The drier the air, the more likely your nose will experience a burning sensation.
Also, you are likely to experience dry and cracking hands, lips, and even drier skin than normal. This is particularly true in the winter, the season most known for nose bleeds.
Although you aren’t likely to experience emergency symptoms with weather changes, having an arsenal of soothing products at your disposal can help.
Top Products for Nasal Dryness in Winter
Tired of dealing with a burning and bleeding nose during the drier months of the year? Here are some great recommendations to help with common nasal symptoms:
- Ayr Saline Nasal Gel
The Ayr Saline Nasal Gel is a helpful topical treatment that provides a soothing sensation to your nasal cavities to eliminate dryness and common cold symptoms.
Simply take a small amount of product, rub it along the interior of your nose, and allow the formula to get to work.
Not only is it helpful with colds and flu infections, but it also alleviates symptoms of nose bleeds and allergies from seasonal changes.
- NeilMed Nasogel for Dry Noses
NeilMed is a popular company when it comes to nasal products.
The NeilMed Nasogel for Dry Noses is a topical water-soluble saline gel you can use to help alleviate the symptoms of a dry nose.
Simply apply the moisturizer to your nasal cavity every four to six hours to unlock extra moisture.
- Amazon Basic Care Premium Saline Moisturizing Spray
As long as you don’t overuse the spray, the Amazon Basic Care Premium Saline Moisturizing Spray is a helpful solution for seasonal dryness.
This non-medicated solution helps remove contaminants that could cause nose irritation while also moisturizing your nasal passages.
That said, overuse of nasal sprays can lead to rhinitis medicamentosa, which is also known as “rebound congestion.”
Say Goodbye To Burning Nose Forever
Knowing what does it mean when your nose burns can help you treat the cause of your sinus inflammation and discomfort.
There are numerous over-the-counter treatments and holistic remedies you can use to alleviate burning, bleeding, and even trace contaminants in your nasal passages.
However, if you think your nasal congestion is beyond normal, it is always best to talk to your doctor for advice.