It is red, inflamed and ugly. How do you soothe a raw nose?
We’re in the middle of cold and flu season, which means many of us are dealing with this problem now or will soon.
You can try to hide it with makeup, but in the meantime, we have some tips to help you heal that irritated skin.
What causes a raw nose?
When you repeatedly blow your nose, it usually results in a raw, sore, and red nose. Every time you use a tissue, rub the skin of your nose. Over time, this causes a red, irritated look.
You may not realize that you use tissues as often as you do. After all, there’s not much else you can do when your nose is running. But if you keep track, you might realize that you blow and/or rub your nose with a tissue several times a day, sometimes a hundred times.
All that friction against your skin results in excessive exfoliation. You rub the skin raw. You also disrupt the outer skin barrier, which can cause sensitivity and leave the skin vulnerable to bacterial invasion.
Your runny nose is probably moist, too. When the skin is exposed to the air, it can become dry and chapped. If your cold lasts for a week or more, you may even notice flaky skin or a scaly appearance.
It’s not just the cold and flu that lead to this problem. If you are allergic, you may experience a raw, red nose all year round.
Talk about discouraging! The rest of your skin looks great, but there’s that red nose that ruins everything. What can you do?
Soothe a raw nose: 7 tips
1. Pay attention to your tissues
Some tissues are softer than others. It may be tempting to buy the cheap ones, but if you blow your nose a lot, these will cause redness and irritation much more quickly than soft tissues that have had lotion injected into them.
Some people use pre-moistened wipes instead, thinking they will be softer and cleaner than dry tissues. But this is usually a bad idea. They often contain fragrances, detergents and other chemicals that can further irritate the skin, especially sensitive skin.
A damp cloth also ensures that your skin stays moist, which accelerates the development of dry, chapped skin. Stick to dry tissues that are soft and gentle.
2. Apply moisturizing balms
Just like you apply lotion after washing your hands (we hope!), you’ll want to apply a moisturizing, protective balm after blowing your nose. Every time you can, but as often as possible.
Blowing your nose has a stripping effect on your skin: it removes all the oils that keep the skin hydrated. So you need to replace those oils and support the outer barrier. Choose a product that retains moisture, combats inflammation and soothes irritated skin.
We recommend our Restorative Skin Balm to quickly heal a raw, red nose. It contains healing ingredients such as calendula, aloe vera, sea buckthorn oil and arnica, all of which promote skin regeneration. It also contains carnauba and beeswax to protect the moisture barrier, while vitamin E aids in wound healing.
Castor oil, triglycerides and glycerin all provide extra moisture and help counteract the damage caused by tissues and blisters. You won’t find any clogged Vaseline ingredients—just a clean, fragrance-free solution that can keep your nose looking healthy even as you fight off the stubborn cold.
3. Use a humidifier
A dry, red nose is a sign of fluid loss. During cold and flu season, the air is often cold and dry as well. It steals moisture from your skin, worsening dryness and causing chapped, flaky skin.
Unless you live in a very humid climate, it may help to use a humidifier, especially at night. Place one in your bedroom, as it pumps moisture into the air, making it less likely to steal the air from your skin. You’ll wake up with more hydrated, comfortable skin.
4. Watch for infections
As long as you apply our Restorative Skin Balm regularly, your skin will remain clear and healthy. The product contains natural antibacterial ingredients that help fight infections.
But if not, look for symptoms such as cracking, pus, and a yellowish crust. These signal the presence of bacteria and inflammation. Gently clean the area and apply a topical antibiotic, or contact your doctor.
5. Consider rinsing the nasal passages
Especially if your runny nose is caused by allergies, a nasal rinse can help. You can try a spray saline solution, which is easy to use and has an antibacterial effect, or you can use something like a neti pot in the morning and evening. It flushes allergens from the nasal passages and can help you use fewer tissues.
If you have a lot of mucus, these solutions can also help as they flush out the excess mucus and can give you a break from blowing your nose. Just make sure you always use distilled water. Never use tap as it may contain bacteria that can cause sinus infection.
6. Be careful with decongestant sprays
Over-the-counter decongestant sprays can give you some relief from the stuffiness and blowing, but they can make the skin on the inside of your nose feel worse.
These medications work by narrowing the blood vessels in the nose, which can cause discomfort. It is also possible that you will adjust to these medications over time, at which time your symptoms may become worse.
So use these only as a last resort and only for a limited time (no more than three days).
7. Drink something steamy
You may have heard that chicken soup can help shorten the duration of a cold. Scientists have found that it may contain several anti-inflammatory substances that relieve the symptoms of upper respiratory infections.
A cup of eucalyptus tea can also help fight the bacteria that cause a runny nose. But anything you consume that is hot and steamy will likely help loosen the nasal passages and relieve congestion.
How do you deal with a raw, red nose?
Featured image courtesy of Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels.
