Why does my nose sting?

It’s 3 am, and you’re wide awake. Your nose feels like it’s on fire, and you can’t stop sneezing. You wonder why your nose stings so much, especially at night.

Don’t worry; you’re not alone! Nasal discomfort is a common problem that affects people of all ages. In this guide, we’ll explore the many reasons why your nose may sting so strongly and what you can do about it.

Anatomy of the Nose

To understand why your nose might be stinging, let’s take a closer look at its anatomy.

  • The nostrils are openings in the front of the nasal cavity.
  • Inside each nostril are tiny hairs called cilia that help filter out dust and other particles.
  • Behind the nostrils lies the nasal cavity which is separated by a wall into two halves called nasal septum.
    • Each half has three turbinates (Bony shelf-like structures)
    • Turbinates contain blood vessels that help warm & humidify air
  • Further Backwards from here opens up into nasopharynx behind soft palatine
    • Airway passage along with Oropharynx(for food swallowing) forms part of pharyngeal tract

Now let’s see some possible causes for ‘nose-stinging’

Allergies: The Most Common Cause

Allergic rhinitis or seasonal allergies occur when our immune system overreacts to an allergen. Some common allergens include pollen from trees/grass/plants/flowers/mould/dog/cat dander etc

These allergens cause our body to release histamine – substance causing inflammation leading to sneezing/rhinorrhoea(nasal discharge)/nasal congestion/sinus pain/itchiness/redness/swelling & of course nose-stinging.

Infections: “I’m not feeling so well!”

Infection by virus or bacteria can cause inflammation in the nasal cavity which leads to swelling/redness & pain. There could be discharge along with difficulty breathing, smell and taste sensations etc

The viral infections like common cold influenza usually are more of a self-resolving nature except for immune-comprised people/pre-existing health conditions whereas bacterial infections caused by Sinusitis have longer symptom duration requiring antibiotic therapy

Medications: Side effects galore!

Many medications come with side effects, and one such effect is nasal dryness/stinging – especially those that help relieve allergies/congestion; many times people suffer from geriatric rhinitis because of such medication

Few medicines only treat the symptoms-drying/decongesting but do nothing against inflammatory processes(example- Nasal decongestants).Such medications used on a prolonged basis may damage normal mechanisms (like Immune function) leading to long-term consequences

Always follow instructions given by your doctor/pharmacist accurately whenever taking any prescribed/purchased medication

Low Humidity: Not Too Dry But Not Too Wet

When humidity levels drop too low indoors during winter/spring months due to indoor heating/air conditioning/hot showers/baths/poor ventilation/ abnormal sweat gland functions causes drying out of mucous membranes inside our nose. This causes itching/tickling/prodrome-like sensation which feels cool on inhalation followed by burning/blockade on exhalation

Humidifiers help in keeping an appropriate amount(30%–50%) air moisture indoors thus preventing or reducing allergic irritation/infections(mostly present when rhinorrhoea/nasal congestion is persistent)

But take care even while using humidifiers, overdoing it-you might end up encouraging mold growth within your walls or inhaling water droplets containing bacteria/fungi etc

Environmental Factors: Pollution, Smoke, And Strong Smells

Exposure to environmental factors like smoke/pollution/particulate matter can cause nasal irritation and sneezing with concomitant respiratory issues. People living in urban areas or near industrial complexes/at construction sites are more vulnerable because they inhale airborne particulate matter on a regular basis

Strong smells/ fragrances/perfumes – particularly for those who have underlying allergies/sinus inflammation/sensitive mucous membrane could trigger reactions ex. rhinitis-sinusitis & nose-stinging.

Physical Trauma : Hit Me Baby One More Time!

Physical trauma to our nose due to any injury/blow/violence attracts inflammatory cells leading to itchiness/redness/swelling/bleeding/cracking/drying sensation within the Nares(nasal passages) thus resulting in nose-stinging especially after contact-with-cold-water etc

In cases where there seems an acute deviation(Change of form)/fracture/severe bleeding/distorted smell/taste sensation/etc visit a specialist doctor immediately

Conclusion: Don’t Suffer In Silence!

There are many reasons why your nose may be stinging/throbbing but it’s important not to suffer in silence.

If you’re experiencing prolonged severe symptoms stop searching ‘online’ instantly themself- Consult a health expert immediately!

But for non-severe, short-duration episodes Nose-So-Fine tips/modules,some self-care-home remedies also work wonders:
Using Nasal saline washes frequently help remove bacterial/excessive mucus secretions from our bodies
Avoid usage after exposure(Note:salt water has a drying effect if used excessively)
Increase indoor humidity levels-To maintain moist mucous membranes which act as protective barriers against foreign invaders.
Aromatherapy/hot compress/chamomile tea bags over nostrils
helps relieve congestion/inflammation of Nares(Pyogenic Lymphatic Glands)
Using clean/enough soft humidified tissues while blowing noses instead of rough/knitted/woollen cloths.
Example-using facial paper tissue mats over traditional linen towels
Covering the face and nostrils while outdoors especially in polluted areas or dusty construction sites

Hopefully, this guide has provided you with some helpful information about why your nose may be stinging for a prolonged period. Remember always to follow directions given by healthcare providers/prescribers carefully whenever taking any prescribed medication or preventive measure against allergies/infections etc!

Take care of yourself and stay healthy!

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