Here’s why you have an itchy nose all the time.
Do you ever find yourself scratching your nose for no apparent reason? A lot of people have a nervous habit of scratching their nose without thinking, but there are a lot of times when your nose really DOES itch and you have to deal with it! There are a surprising number of things that can cause your itchy nose problem. Below are a few of the more common reasons you have an itchy nose:
- Allergies – Itching in your nose, mouth, and throat is one of the most common symptoms of an allergy. Allergies cause your body produce histamines, which cause inflammation and can lead to serious itching. You may have to take an antihistamine to stop your nose from itching if the problem is caused by an allergic reaction to something in the air like dust, pollen, or grass. You may also want to cover your mouth and nose with a face mask to stop the allergy-causing particles from getting in your respiratory system.
- Cold – Yes, there’s nothing more common than a common cold with an itchy nose. In addition to having to blow your nose a dozen times an hour, you may end up scratching at an incessant itch in your nose. The cold is causing swelling in your nose, which can lead to irritation and a serious itching problem.
- Environmental factors – There will always be things in the air that can cause itching, like dust or pollen. Even people who are not allergic to these particles may find themselves scratching an itchy nose. Of course, if you’re in a very dry environment, you may find that your nasal passages become very dry. This leads to irritation and potentially infection, both of which can lead to serious itching. Chemicals, perfumes, and other strong irritants may cause your nose to tickle if you inhale.
- Rhinitis – This is an infection of the nasal passages that can be the result of an allergic reaction to something in the air or the after-effects of a cold. The itching will usually be accompanied by a nasal discharge, and your nose may be quite stuffy at the same time. If it’s really bad, you may even end up sneezing often. Rhinitis causes inflammation of the blood vessels in the nose, which can lead to problems with itching.
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These are the primary reasons you have an itchy nose. If you’re finding yourself scratching away for hours, you may be desperate for relief from the itching in your nose.
Antihistamines are usually one of the go-to options for people with serious itching. The antihistamines will reduce the production of the histamines that trigger the irritation, combatting the allergy and preventing the particles from causing irritation. You can use both spray and oral antihistamines to quickly deal with the allergy-caused itching.
If the itching isn’t caused by an allergy but is instead the result of an infection or dryness in the nasal passages, you may want to try a nasal spray. The saline in the nasal spray will help to deal with the congestion, reduce itching, and clear out the sinuses. It will even hydrate your sinuses to reduce irritation and itching.
For people who get an itchy nose in dry environments, it may be a good idea to buy a humidifier to use in your home. A humidifier will increase the moisture in the air, preventing the dryness from causing irritation in your nasal passages. You may find that this simple appliance can make all the difference for your poor itching nose!
