Table of contents:
- Why can the nose get irritated during colds and flu?
- How to deal with irritation of the nose due to colds and flu?
- 1. Avoid rubbing your nose too hard
- 2. Use a soft tissue
- 3. Apply a moisturizer around the nose
- 4. Use steam from warm water
- 5. Use a humidifier
- 6. Take cold and flu relievers
The complaints that often arise during flu and colds are not limited to sneezing, nasal congestion, and choking heads. Have you ever had irritation on the skin of your nose because of this cold or flu? In fact, usually the irritation on the skin of the nose can last until the cold and flu attack is over. What can be done to overcome this condition so that it does not get worse?
Why can the nose get irritated during colds and flu?
A dermatologist from New York, Joshua Zeichner, MD, revealed the reasons behind the irritation of the nose skin due to colds and flu. According to him, one of the main reasons is because the energy is too strong when blowing your nose.
After successfully blowing your nose or nasal discharge, of course you will wipe it with a tissue or handkerchief, right? Well, that's when you may unconsciously use excessive force, causing irritation to the skin of the nose.
That is why, the skin around the nose usually gets blisters, sore, reddish due to colds and flu. Apart from this habit, experiencing allergic rhinitis can also be another cause of irritation to the nose due to colds and flu.
Allergic rhinitis is inflammation of the lining of the nasal cavity, due to the entry of allergens causing an allergic reaction. This condition is not continuous, and usually only occurs at certain times.
The symptoms that arise due to allergic rhinitis are similar to those of a cold and flu, which can also irritate the nose.
How to deal with irritation of the nose due to colds and flu?
Anyone will certainly feel uncomfortable because of the irritation of the nose during colds and flu. Don't worry, here are some options you can do to deal with irritation on the skin of the nose:
1. Avoid rubbing your nose too hard
Instead of wiping vigorously while blowing your nose, gently pat your nose and the skin around it. Although it may take you a few attempts to blow your nose, at least gently patting your nose is less irritating than colds and flu.
This is because when you pat, there is much less friction on the skin than wiping or rubbing your nose. As a result, the risk of side effects in the form of pain and burning on the skin around the nose can be minimized.
2. Use a soft tissue
If you do have to wipe your nose with a tissue, it's best to use a tissue with a soft material. The reason is, not all wipes are made of materials that are friendly to skin conditions. This can increase the risk of nasal irritation due to a cold.
Therefore, choose wipes that are free of chemicals, added perfumes, and detergents. These ingredients can trigger irritation and cause dry skin conditions.
3. Apply a moisturizer around the nose
The more often and vigorously you wipe your nose, the drier the skin in the nose area will be. As a solution, try to keep your nose skin moist by regularly applying moisturizer.
Choose any type of moisturizer that is safe, especially if you have sensitive skin, such as petroleum jelly. Next, apply the moisturizer on the skin around the nostrils slowly.
4. Use steam from warm water
Another way that can be used to treat irritation to the nose due to colds and flu, is to use a basin of warm water. Bring your nose a little closer to the basin and inhale the hot steam that comes out slowly.
So that the warm effect is more pronounced, you can add a few dropstea tree oil or tea tree oil in the warm water.
5. Use a humidifier
A humidifier is a tool that is useful for keeping the air humidity in the room from drying out. Apart from helping to relieve the respiratory tract which is often disturbed by flu and colds, you can also use it to treat skin irritation.
Especially because this irritation usually makes the skin feel dry, making it even more sore when you blow your nose. Humidifiers can help make the air more humid, thereby relieving dry skin around the nose.
6. Take cold and flu relievers
Another step you can take to relieve complaints of irritation of the nose is to take medication that can treat flu and colds. Includes Tylenol (acetaminophen), Advil or Motrin (ibuprofen), or decongestants.
Taking medication can help relieve the symptoms of colds and flu that you are currently experiencing, so that later complaints of irritation of the nose will also improve.
Don't forget, first consult your doctor or pharmacist before taking cold and flu relievers. That way, you will get the right types and rules of taking medication.
