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You can use a variety of home remedies to help soothe uncomfortable dryness inside your nose. You might try inhaling steam, applying a bit of petroleum jelly to the lining of your nose, or gently wiping with a damp cloth. Staying hydrated can also help.
Cold or allergy season leaves many of us with a trademark symptom, right in the middle of our faces: dry nose.
While a dry nose is uncomfortable, many remedies for treating a dry nose can be purchased in store or online, or even treated with things you already have in your home.
Here are five effective home remedies:
Use your fingers to apply a very small dab of petroleum jelly to the lining inside of your nose. Not only is it good for keeping your nose moisturized, it’s also safely handled by your stomach in small amounts.
Try not to use this method too frequently or for prolonged periods, and avoid applying too much at a time.
In rare cases it can make its way into the trachea and lungs and lead to significant lung problems. If you have a preexisting chronic lung problem, you may want to speak to your doctor before trying this at-home treatment.
Find petroleum jelly online.
Sleeping with a dry mist humidifier in your bedroom can help increase the humidity in your room, which can provide relief to your nasal passages. Place the humidifier in the center of the room.
Here’s a tip: Don’t point it at furniture because the excess moisture can promote mold growth and damage wooden surfaces.
Start breathing easier by grabbing one here.
Saline nasal sprays can help moisturize your nose while also cleaning out any dust, dirt, and pollen. They may also help to relieve congestion.
Some people prefer a nasal saline gel and feel this stays better than the liquid form.
Avoid using other medicated sprays to treat nasal dryness.
Shop for over-the-counter nasal sprays now.
Moisten a facial tissue with water using a spray bottle, and wipe along the lining of your nostrils. This can help prevent drying and irritation.
You can also use baby wipes, which are designed for cleaning sensitive areas without causing over-drying.
A common home facial treatment, steam, can also help relieve a dry nose. You can even hang your head over a sink of hot water, but the effects of the steam won’t last for long. Using a towel with a sink or bowl full of hot water can increase the effect. A steamy shower is also good.
Besides using moisture in the air, make sure you help your body from the inside by staying hydrated.
Drinking plenty of fluids like water or tea — especially if you have a dry nose during a cold — can help moisturize your nose from the inside out.
There are a few home remedies you can try to ease the dryness in your nose. Inhaling steam may help, as may putting a bit of petroleum jelly in your nostrils. Another idea is to use a damp cloth to gently wipe down the inside of your nose. Staying hydrated can also help keep your nostrils moist.
A common cause of dry nose is blowing your nose too often, whether that’s because of a cold or allergies. A dry nose is also common among people who live in areas with dry weather and who smoke tobacco or marijuana.
Chronic dry nose can also be caused by certain medical conditions, such as Sjogren disease.
Other causes of a dry nose include infection, nutritional deficiencies, and chronic atrophic rhinitis, a longstanding nasal inflammation due to an unknown cause.
Dry nose is also a common symptom of certain medications, like antihistamines and decongestants used for common colds or allergies. Other nasal sprays like flonase can also cause a dry nose.
Outside of being uncomfortable and painful, a case of dry nose is rarely serious. The linings of your nose and the crease underneath are sensitive. Excess dryness and irritation can cause the skin to crack and bleed.
However, if you have had a dry nose for more than 10 days or experience signs of infection — fever, discharge, bloody nose that won’t stop, and weakness — you should contact your doctor immediately.
In terms of natural remedies, inhaling steam, using a saline spray or an over-the-counter gel like Rhinase can help reduce nasal dryness. If you have Sjorgen disease, you may need prescription medicine such as Salagen (pilocarpine) and Evoxac (cevimeline).
Last medically reviewed on September 14, 2023
Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.
Current Version
Sep 14, 2023
Written By
Brian Krans
Edited By
Alina Sharon
Medically Reviewed By
Nicole Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP
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Jun 5, 2023
Written By
Brian Krans
Edited By
John Bassham
Medically Reviewed By
Nicole Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP
Copy Edited By
Copy Editors
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