Sores in nose-12 Causes, Symptoms,11 Treatments and Home Remedies

Sores in nose are a very common problem from which many people are suffering. Sores inside nose can trouble you a lot due to the pain and irritation associated with them. In this article let us explore all the possible reasons why you develop such sores in nose, and we shall also discuss in detail how to get rid of sores in nose.

Sores in nose causes:

Sores in nose can be caused by many different causes ranging from minor bacterial infections to more sinister causes like nasal cancer. But, fortunately, the majority of the causes of sores inside nose are benign or not so dangerous.

Causes like nasal cancer leading to scabs or sores in nose are very rare. So, we can be assured that most probably we are suffering from minor causes of sores in nose. Very few unfortunate people develop the serious cause of sores inside nose.

1. Impetigo:

Have you ever heard of the word Impetigo? It is the bacterial infection of the skin caused by a bacteria called Staphylococcus aureus. This infection is very common in kids of school going age. This infection is contagious and kids with such infection need to be kept at home for 2 days after starting treatment or until the scabs crust and heal.

Do you know that Staphylococcus aureus bacteria lives as a commensal on our skin without causing any damage or disease? Now you might be wondering that then how is it possible for this bacteria to cause impetigo.

Staphylococcus bacteria does not enter the skin if the skin is intact without any damage. If there is any damage or breach in the intact skin, it will act as a port of entry for the staphylococcus bacteria. Many people have the habit of picking their nose. Some people also insert objects into their nose. These habits can damage the nasal skin and facilitate the entry of the bacteria.

The skin inside the nose can also be damaged due to harsh weather conditions like extremely cold or dry and hot weather. This also enables the easy entry of bacteria which leads to Impetigo. As Impetigo is common amongst the school going kids, it is also known as school sores.

There is a formation of boils with fluid inside them in and around the nose. Then the boils break and release fluid. This can lead to the formation of ulcers with a honey-colored crust over them. Impetigo is identified with honey-colored crusting mainly.

2. Allergies:

Allergies are very common amongst the people. Many of us are allergic to food substances, environmental agents, etc. We might be allergic to pet dander, animal fur, pollen, dust, etc. When a person is allergic to anything in the environment, it can trigger inflammation or swelling of the nasal mucosa inside the nose.

This inflammation can lead to the formation of sores in nose. There can be many other associated symptoms along with sores inside nose like a passage of excess water or tears from the eyes or excess lacrimation, dryness and itching of the nose, itching of skin, watering of the nose or allergic rhinitis, etc.

3. Injury to the nose:

Injury or trauma to the nose due to any reason can lead to the formation of sores in nose. If you get hit somewhere and your nose is injured, this can lead to the formation of scabs in nose. An Even minor injury like picking your nose or inserting objects into the nose can lead to the formation of sores in nose. Injury can itself trigger formation of sores or cold sores, or it can facilitate the development of Impetigo leading to the formation of sores.

4. Herpes Simplex:

There are 2 types of Herpes simplex viruses, Herpes simplex type 1 or Herpes labialis, and Herpes simplex type 2 or Herpes Genitalis. Both of them cause fluid-filled blisters or sores, but in different areas of the body.

Herpes Simplex type 1 or Herpes labialis causes sores in nose and around the mouth. These sores are also called cold sores. They are filled with fluid. These sores are very painful. Eventually, in a span of 7 to 10 days, these sores or blisters break, release fluid, from crusts and then heal.

5. Systemic lupus erythematosus:

Systemic lupus erythematosus is abbreviated as SLE. It is also referred with the name lupus. It is a type of autoimmune disorder in which the immune system of our body is triggered and acts to damage our own body. It is also known as a type of connective tissue disorder.

There are many different symptoms of SLE or lupus, like malar rash on the face, arthritis or painful swollen joints, oral ulcers, etc. Sores can also form inside nose in lupus. These are referred with the name lupus nose sores.

6. Dryness:

Our nasal mucosa needs to remain moist to avoid damage and prevent problems like nose sores. But, if the environment is very dry, it can dry out the moisture in the nose. This can injure the nasal mucosa and lead to problems like sores in nose. Some people have the habit of using air conditioner excessively. Excess use of AC’s can also lead to dryness of nasal mucosa and formation of scabs inside the nose.

7. Blowing with force:

Developing common cold or flu is very common. Some people also suffer from allergic rhinitis, in which they are allergic to environmental allergens and they have cold symptoms like a runny nose regularly.

When you develop any of these conditions like common cold or allergic rhinitis, you need to be cautious and blow your nose very slowly. If you blow your nose with force, this can damage the internal surface of your nose and can lead to sores in nose.

8. Polyps:

Polyps are small outgrowths from the inner surface of the nose. They have a small attachment to the nasal mucosa. They are also painful just like the sores in nose. These polyps tend to develop more frequently in people who suffer from a condition called sinusitis, inflammation of the sinuses.

9. Oxygen administration:

If you are hospitalized for any reason and are administered oxygen for a prolonged period, there is increased risk of developing sores inside nose.

10. HIV:

HIV is a disease caused by HIV virus or Human immunodeficiency virus. Just as the name suggests this virus lowers the immunity levels of the person affected and increases the susceptibility to various infections. People with HIV are more prone to develop problems like Rhinitis, and sinusitis. These problems can facilitate the formation of painful sores in nose.

11. Drugs:

Drugs can be prescribed in any form like oral, inhalational, etc. If you are suffering from any respiratory illness like Asthma, Bronchitis, COPD, etc, you might be prescribed inhalational drugs. You might also be prescribed nasal sprays for conditions like allergic rhinitis.

These inhalational drugs and nasal sprays, when used for a prolonged time, can irritate the nasal mucosa or the inner part of the nose as it is very sensitive. This irritation can damage the inner surface of the nose, which leads to the formation of sores in nose.

12. Nasal cancer:

Last but not the least, nasal cancer is also one of the causes of formation of sores in nose or scabs in nose. But, it is extremely rare. You should only think of this if your sores in nose are not resolving or getting treated with any form of treatment. In addition to sores inside nose, nasal cancer can also cause many other symptoms like bleeding from nose, numbness and tingling in the face region, runny nose which is persistent, etc.

Sores in nose symptoms:

Sores inside nose can have many different symptoms based on the cause of sores in nose. But, let us discuss the most common symptoms of sores in nose:

• Severe pain inside the nose
• Irritation, and itching inside the nose
• Redness inside the nose
• Swelling inside the nose or formation of blisters inside the nose
• Development of ulcers inside the nose if the sores or blisters break
• Formation of honey-colored crusts inside and around nose if the cause of sores in nose is Impetigo
• A runny nose if the cause of sores is rhinitis or sinusitis
• Facial numbness and tingling can be seen if the cause of the nasal sores is Nasal cancer
• Bleeding from nose is the cause is nasal cancer.

How to get rid of sores in nose?

Do you want to know how to get rid of sores in nose? If yes, just keep reading. You will find the answer to your question.

Sores in nose Treatment and Home Remedies:

We all know that sores inside nose are very annoying and frustrating, as they are very painful and irritating. So, let us discuss all the possible treatments and home remedies that we can use to get rid of sores in nose.

1. Avoid picking your nose:

If you have the habit of picking your nose frequently, you are contributing to the formation of sores in nose. So, stop picking your nose. If you feel that there are hard crusts inside your nose that you need to remove, try to instill saline nasal drops in your nose and wait for few minutes. This softens the crusts. Then you can remove them gently with a cotton bud. But, be gentle and don’t pick your nose harshly.

2. Don’t blow your nose fast:

If you are suffering from a runny nose due to any cause like common cold, allergic rhinitis, etc, blow your nose very slowly. That too you need to blow only one nostril at a time. Don’t blow both the nostrils at the same time.

3. Keep your hands clean and hygienic:

Always maintain a good hand hygiene. Wash your hands after using the toilet, after touching dirty things, dust, soil, etc. If your hands are not clean, you might act as a source of entry of infectious pathogens like bacteria into your nose when you touch your nose for any reason.

4. Maintain hydration:

You need to maintain adequate hydration of the body by drinking at least 8 to 10 glasses of water per day. This ensures that your skin is properly hydrated, and prevents the dryness and injury of the nasal passages.

5. Avoid dry environment:

A dry environment is known to trigger the formation of sores in nose by damaging the nasal mucosa. So try to avoid harsh dry climatic conditions. Also, avoid excess use of air conditioners.

6. Consume foods rich in lysine:

Lysine-rich foods enhance your immunity and help you ward off harmful pathogens and infection from the body. So, include lysine-rich foods in your diet like tomatoes, fish, cheese, beef, turkey, chicken, etc.

7. Avoid excess use of nasal sprays:

Don’t use nasal sprays excessively without the prescription of your doctor. If at all you need to use nasal sprays, try to clean your nose gently with a wet and clean cotton bud after few minutes of using the nasal spray to avoid the irritating effects of these drugs on the nasal mucosa.

8. Consume Vitamin C rich foods:

Vitamin C is known to enhance immunity levels and help you fight infections. Since infections are one of the major reason for the development of sores in nose, consumption of vitamin C rich foods can help you a lot in preventing and treating sores inside nose.

Try to consume citrus fruits like lemons, oranges, grapefruits, cabbage, gooseberry or Amla, etc to get your recommended supply of vitamin C. You can also take the Vitamin C supplements which are available as over the counter supplements.

9. Take probiotics:

Consume probiotic-rich foods like yogurt, Kefir, Tempeh, Pickles, etc. These probiotics contain helpful bacteria which enhance your immune system and help you fight harmful bacteria.

10. Take hot tub bath:

You can take hot tub bath by adding any essential oils for cough that we discussed earlier. These essential oils will help in easing the congestion in the nose and sinuses. This will help get rid of infections, and will also help you keep the mucosa inside your nose warm and moist. This prevents the development of sores in nose.

11. Use Cold compress:

A cold compress is very effective in giving relief for painful sores inside nose. Just dip a cotton cloth in cold water filled with ice cubes. Squeeze out the excess water and apply this cold clothe over the sores in nose. It doesn’t cure the sores but gives good relief from pain caused by the nasal sores.

I hope you people have understood all the possible causes, symptoms, treatments and home remedies for sores in nose. Let us meet again with another informative article.