Dry nose: winter irritation or medical issue.

What causes a dry nose in winter? Cold air vs. indoor heating.

Your nose needs moisture to stay healthy. Winter attacks that moisture from both sides.

Cold air dries nasal passages.

Cold air holds way less moisture than warm air. When you breathe it in, dry nose symptoms start as it dries out the inside of your nose. These moist tissues crack and get irritated.

Your nose has tiny blood vessels close to the surface. When they get too dry, they become fragile and break easily, causing nosebleeds.
Indoor heating worsens nasal dryness.

Central heating and space heaters lower humidity even more. This heated, dry air keeps damaging your nasal passages all day and night.

The combination hits hard: cold, dry air outside during the day, then heated, dry air inside at night. Your nose never gets relief.

Other winter factors affecting nose moisture.

• Frequent nose blowing from winter colds irritates the nasal tissue
• Overusing decongestant nasal sprays dries out your nose
• Lower water intake means less overall body moisture
• Indoor allergens like dust mites worsen with heating systems

Dry nose symptoms and complications that require treatment.

Mild nasal dryness is common in winter. But certain dry nose symptoms mean you need medical care.

When to worry about a dry nose?

Seek same-day urgent care if you have:

• Frequent nosebleeds. More than 2-3 per week means serious nasal membrane damage.
• Nosebleeds lasting over 20 minutes. Bleeding that won't stop with pressure needs treatment.
• Heavy nasal bleeding. Large amounts of blood or bleeding down your throat.
• Signs of infection. Yellow or green nasal discharge, facial pain, fever, or foul smell.
• Severe nasal pain. Extreme burning or discomfort that doesn't improve.
• Non-healing nasal scabs. Persistent crusting and cracking for weeks.

Complications from an untreated dry nose.

Without treatment, severe nasal dryness can cause:

• Chronic nosebleeds. Chronic nosebleeds. Each time your nose bleeds, it damages the tissue more. This creates a cycle: your nose bleeds, a scab forms, the scab cracks and it bleeds again.
• Sinus infections. Dry, cracked nasal passages let bacteria get in more easily. What started as dry nose can turn into a painful sinus infection that needs antibiotics.
• Constant discomfort. The pain and irritation affect everything: your sleep, your work, even simple things like going outside in cold air.

How do you know if it's dry air or a cold?

Dry nose from winter air causes crusty nostrils, occasional nosebleeds and discomfort that's worse in the morning, but there’s no fever, body aches, or colored mucus. 

A cold makes your whole body feel sick with a runny nose, sore throat, cough and fatigue that gets worse over a few days. 

If you develop a fever or symptoms don't improve with moisturizer, visit urgent care to rule out a sinus infection.

How to treat dry nose: home remedies vs medical care.

Treatment depends on severity.

Home treatment for mild dry nose.

For minor nasal dryness without frequent bleeding:

• Use a humidifier. Use a humidifier. Run one in your bedroom at night (30-50% humidity, within 6 feet of your bed).
• Saline nasal spray. Use a saline nasal spray before going outside in winter. Preservative-free versions work best to keep your nose moist.
• Nasal gel. Put petroleum jelly or nasal gel inside your nostrils 2-3 times daily with a clean cotton swab. Works best after showering.
• Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. This helps your body keep moisture in the nasal tissue.
• Don’t pick your nose. Avoid picking your nose, even when it feels crusty or uncomfortable.

These home remedies for dry nose work best when started early in winter.

When home remedies for a dry nose aren't enough.

Visit urgent care when:

• Home treatments don't help after a week
• Nosebleeds interfere with daily life
• Severe nasal dryness causes constant pain
• Signs of bacterial infection develop
• Bleeding won't stop with home pressure

What urgent care can do for a severe dry nose in winter.

At CityMD, we can:

• Assess damage and nasal irritation
• Stop active nosebleeds with cauterization if needed
• Prescribe antibiotic ointments for nasal infections
• Recommend prescription-strength nasal moisturizers
• Provide guidance on winter nose care and prevention

Preventing winter dry nose problems.

Start prevention before severe dryness develops:

• Use a humidifier from November through March
• Begin saline nasal spray at the first signs of dryness
• Apply nasal moisturizer nightly before bed
• Keep your house at a normal temperature (68-72°F)
• Stay hydrated even when you don't feel thirsty

Treat severe dry nose at CityMD.

Dealing with constant nosebleeds or severe nasal dryness this winter? CityMD can evaluate your dry nose, stop persistent bleeding, treat infections and provide treatments that work.

Walk in anytime to your local CityMD, no appointment needed. We're here when a dry nose in winter becomes more than just an annoyance.