10/03/2025
5 Tips for Managing Nasal Dryness
While post-nasal drip produces excess mucus, some people experience the opposite: a dry, irritated nose. It might seem less noticeable than a runny one, yet nasal dryness can be surprisingly uncomfortable — causing headaches, facial pressure, sinus irritation, and even nosebleeds in more severe cases.
Also known as rhinitis sicca, nasal dryness is often the result of a cold or allergy but can also be due to your environment. While you’re waiting for your cold to resolve or for allergy season to mercifully come to an end, try these tips to make your nasal dryness a little more bearable.
How to Relieve Nasal Dryness
1. Use a saline nasal spray or irrigation system
Commercially available nasal cleansing products such as sprays and irrigation systems are easily accessible and inexpensive. Nasal rinses are non-medicated and consist of sterile saline, which restores moisture to your nasal passages while flushing out dust, allergens, and other irritants.
2. Set up a humidifier
If your environment lacks humidity the logical solution is to… move to Hawaii. But if that’s not an option, consider a humidifier to return moisture to the air, which can help to alleviate the symptoms of a dry nose. However, be careful about regular cleaning, as a poorly maintained humidifier is prone to developing mold and this is unhelpful for allergies.
3. Avoid allergens and irritants
Nasal dryness can often be associated with allergies. A good general principle of managing allergies is to avoid the allergens that trigger your symptoms. Hopefully you’ve figured out your allergens by now but if you haven’t, consider whether any of the following common irritants may be causing your symptoms of a dry and irritated nose:
• Animal dander
• Dust
• Molds
• Grass pollens
• Smoke
• Chemical vapors
4. Stay hydrated
With the average human body being made of about 60% water, it’s no surprise that our water intake is essential for healthy function. This includes your nasal passages, so don’t forget that water bottle.
5. Try a nasal moisturizer
A nasal gel or even something bland like petroleum jelly can provide a protective barrier. Dab a small amount around the inside of your nasal passages using a Q-tip. Nasal gels from your local drugstore will come with instructions (which you should follow).
If using petroleum jelly, this remedy is safe when used in small amounts and not too frequently. On rare occasions, it may cause problems if it gets into your lungs.
For persistent or particularly severe nasal dryness, consider scheduling an appointment with a Berger Henry ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist. Infrequently, these cases may be associated with an autoimmune disease known as Sjogren’s syndrome, or atrophic rhinitis, a chronic condition involving deterioration of the mucosal lining of the nose.