That tingly or tickly feeling in your nose can be annoying—especially when no amount of blowing or rubbing makes a difference. What does that nose tingle mean? Is it something serious you should be worried about?
Read on for possible causes and treatments for your nose tingling.
Reasons for a Tickle in the Nose
Before any preventative steps can be taken, it’s key to understand what might be causing your nose’s reaction. The tickly nose sensation could have a simple cause, such as:
- Allergic Reactions—Scents or chemicals can trigger an allergic reaction. You could be sensitive to the contents of the health and beauty products—moisturizer, cosmetics, toothpaste, fragrances, facial wash—you use every day or other products around your home. Their chemical compounds could irritate the nasal passages and cause a tickly nose.
- Common Cold—One of the symptoms of the common cold is a tickly nose, especially at the outset when the cold is developing.
- Dryness in the Air—A lack of humidity—especially in winter—can make your nasal passages dry out, which could create a tickle in your nose.
- Foreign Object—While this is more likely to happen to small children who tend to put things in their noses, it is possible for insects or other foreign objects to get into the nasal passages and create a tingly sensation. It is also possible that the tickle in your nose is caused by more serious conditions. Those conditions could include:
- Migraines—Some people who are prone to migraines also experience tingling sensations in different parts of their faces.
- Prodromal Herpes Symptoms—Cold sores caused by herpes simplex virus often start with a period of tickling or itching around the nose, lips and mouth before the cold sore erupts.
- Paresthesia—Tingling or numbness in any part of the body is collectively known as paresthesia. Nerve damage or pressure on the nerves are among the various sources for this condition.
If you have reason to suspect a more serious condition at the root of your tingly nose, seek professional medical assistance. A doctor can properly test and diagnose your symptoms.
Getting Rid of the Tickle
Once you’ve determined the possible source of your nose tingle, consider these steps to prevent it.
- Find the irritant. If an allergic reaction is tickling your nose, try to find what’s triggering it. Pay attention to how your nose responds to the products in your house. Perhaps soap makes your nose react within a few seconds of using it. Or maybe an air freshener sparks the tickly feeling. Also consider that the combination of two or three products could be the culprit.
- Treat the Cold. Get rest and take cold medication as necessary to help you recover from a cold, if that’s what is causing the tingly sensation. Once the cold has healed, your nose should get back to normal as well.
- Humidify. Increase the humidity in your home by turning on a humidifier. If you don’t have one, you can get the same effects from a steamy shower. For a quick dose of humidity, fill a bowl with boiling water then lean over it to inhale the steam (avoid the risk of a burn: do not submerge any part of your body in the water). You can drape a towel over your head to intensify the steam.
- Antihistamine. Taking an over-the-counter antihistamine could stop inflammation and the running nose behind a tickly sensation, which should give relief.
- Medical Attention. When your tickly nose persists despite attempts to curb it, it’s time to seek professional medical help. A doctor is better equipped with expert knowledge and diagnostic tools to get to the source of what’s causing your nose to tingle.
Choose the Expert in Nasal and Sinus Treatments
Dr. Nguyen is a national expert in the treatment of nasal conditions, responsible for perfecting innovative and effective treatments like balloon sinuplasty. At Houston Sinus and Allergy, we utilize the newest technology and our extensive experience to find the best solution for the health of your nose and sinuses.
Contact our clinic at (832) 237-7777 to book an assessment with Dr. Nguyen. We also have an online form which you can fill out, allowing our office to respond quickly to your situation.