What causes dryness, crusting, and bleeding in the nasal cavity?
Mar 27, 2023
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xu Gang
Introduction
Nasal dryness, crusting, and bleeding may result from prolonged exposure to a dry environment, leading to nasal dryness and fragile nasal mucosa, which can cause rupture of capillaries. It could also be due to long-term exposure to dusty and polluted environments, where the nasal mucosa lacks sufficient secretions for lubrication, increasing capillary fragility. Additionally, it might be caused by nasal vestibulitis, in which inflammation damages the mucosa of the nasal vestibule.
Nasal dryness, crusting, and bleeding may be caused by non-disease factors, or may result from medical conditions such as atrophic rhinitis or nasal vestibulitis.
1. Non-disease factors
Prolonged exposure to dry environments may lead to nasal dryness, making the nasal mucosa fragile and causing capillaries to rupture and bleed. Symptoms usually gradually improve after leaving the adverse environment.
2. Disease factors
1) Atrophic rhinitis
Long-term exposure to dusty or polluted environments may deprive the nasal mucosa of adequate moisture, increasing capillary fragility. As directed by a physician, saline nasal irrigation can be used, followed by application of medications such as chlortetracycline ointment or erythromycin ointment to maintain nasal humidity.
2) Nasal vestibulitis
Inflammation in the nasal vestibule can damage the mucosa, impair local blood circulation, and cause mucosal congestion and swelling, leading to capillary rupture. Treatment may include antibiotics such as amoxicillin capsules, azithromycin dispersible tablets, or cefixime dispersible tablets, under medical supervision.
In addition, these symptoms could also be caused by atrophic rhinitis. It is recommended to seek timely medical evaluation to determine the underlying cause and receive appropriate treatment.
