How to Treat a Dry Nose and Sinuses

Treating dry sinuses means taking steps to moisturize inside your nose and sinuses when the mucus membranes that line them don't produce enough moisture. Simple home remedies for dry sinuses, such as using a humidifier or saline nasal spray, can help.

Dry nasal and sinus passageways may be caused by weather that is low in humidity, as well as certain health conditions including Sjogren's syndrome, allergies, and dehydration. Symptoms of dry sinuses may include congestion, headaches, inflammation, difficulty breathing through the nose, and frequent bloody noses. In addition, your nose and mouth may feel dry and irritated.

This article offers eight suggestions for how to treat a dry nose. You may have the most success when you use more than one.

Increase Your Fluid Intake

Drinking more fluids, specifically water, may help to thin out mucus. This may reduce the stuffed or clogged feeling in your nose and sinuses. It may also be helpful to limit alcohol, which can dehydrate you and dry you out even more.

Try to drink more water during the summertime, when temperatures rise, and when you engage in physical activity. If plain water isn't appealing to you, try adding a lemon to your water, drink flavored water, or try an electrolyte beverage.

Use a Humidifier

Sleeping with a humidifier, a machine that adds moisture to the air, may help:

• Keep your mucous membranes moist
• Decrease inflammation inside your nose or sinuses
• Ease some breathing issues

Some general tips include the following:

• Always use a cool-mist humidifier (vaporizer), especially for children. Warm mist humidifiers can cause burns if a person gets too close.
• Place the humidifier several feet (approximately 2 meters) away from the bed.
• Do not run a humidifier for a long time. Set the unit to 30% to 50% humidity. If room surfaces are constantly damp to the touch, mold and mildew can grow. This can cause breathing problems in some people.
• Humidifiers must be drained and cleaned daily because bacteria can grow in standing water. Follow the instructions that come with your humidifier for proper use and cleaning.
• Use distilled water instead of tap water. Tap water has minerals that can collect in the unit. They can be released into the air as white dust and cause breathing problems. Follow the instructions that came with your unit on how to prevent the buildup of minerals.
  

You can also consider purchasing a more expensive self-cleaning humidifier or adding a humidifier to your heating/cooling system. This is the most expensive option, but it allows you to control the humidity levels in your home year-round.

Use Saline Nasal Spray

Saline nasal spray is a saltwater liquid that may be used on a daily basis to reduce congestion and thick mucus. It also keeps your nasal passageways moist. It is usually sold over-the-counter (OTC) at drug stores or pharmacies.

Try a Neti Pot

A neti pot is a device that looks like a small teapot. It is used for nasal and sinus irrigation. Nasal irrigation flushes out nasal passages, helps remove excess mucus, and thins out thick nasal discharge.

You can buy a neti pot without a prescription at your local pharmacy along with a sinus rinse to use in it. You can also make your own sinus rinse solution as follows:

• In a clean container, mix 3 teaspoons of iodide-free salt with 1 teaspoon of baking soda and store in a small airtight container.
• Add 1 teaspoon of the mixture to 8 ounces (1 cup) of lukewarm distilled or boiled water.

Use less dry ingredients to make a weaker solution if burning or stinging is experienced. For children, use a half-teaspoon with 4 ounces of water.

Inhale Steam

Warm, moist air can help relieve a dry nose. Try taking a hot shower or just sitting in the bathroom with the door closed and the shower running.

You can also boil water and inhale its steam. To do this safely:

1. Boil water in a large pot on the stove. If you want to transfer it to a bowl, use one that is heat-resistant.
2. Cover your head with a hand towel.
3. Put your face directly over the bowl and breathe slowly through your nose.
4. Finish when the steam has subsided, or replace the boiling water in the bowl and start again.
   

Apply Natural Oils

You can also try natural oils such as coconut oil, sesame oil, and almond oil. Use a cotton swab to apply a small amount of oil to the inside of your nose.

Do not apply tea tree oil (or other essential oils) directly to the inside of your nose. They can irritate the mucous membranes.

It is always best to speak to your healthcare provider before trying this type of remedy.

Don't Pick Your Nose

This isn't a remedy, per se. But breaking this habit, if you have it, can help reduce the likelihood that your nose will get dry or irritated—or worse than it already is.

Dry air can cause your nasal membranes to dry out, leading to cracking or scabs inside the nasal passages. This can cause a nosebleed, particularly if you pick at the inside of your nose.

Nose picking can also introduce viruses and bacteria to your nasal passages, which can cause respiratory illnesses and other problems. 

Avoid Your Triggers

You may notice that your nose becomes dry in certain situations. Some of the most common ones include:

• Dusty conditions
• Blowing your nose too often
• Changes in the weather
• Higher elevations
• Air quality problems such as smoke or smog
• Antihistamine and decongestant overuse
• Use of air conditioning or heat

If you know what your triggers are, take steps to avoid them, or make sure you are prepared with a humidifier, nasal spray, or another remedy that is effective for you if you know you will be in conditions that trigger a dry nose.

This won't necessarily treat your dry nose if you already have one, but it can help prevent your symptoms from getting more severe.

Summary

Dry nasal and sinus passageways may be caused by weather that is low in humidity, as well as certain health conditions including allergies and dehydration. Symptoms of dry nose and sinuses may include congestion, headaches, inflammation, and dry mouth.

Treatment for dry nose and sinuses may include drinking more water and using a saline nasal spray, a neti pot, and/or a humidifier. If you think you have an infection, or your symptoms aren't improving, talk to your healthcare provider.