What causes nasal itching, sneezing, and runny nose at night?
Dec 05, 2022
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Xu Gang
Introduction
Itchy nose, sneezing, and runny nose at night may be caused by allergic rhinitis, the common cold, sinusitis, or other conditions, and usually require targeted treatment. If a patient inhales allergens such as dust or mites from the bed at night, it can easily trigger an allergic reaction in the nasal mucosa, increasing secretion from the nasal mucosal glands, leading to symptoms such as nasal itching, sneezing, and runny nose.
Itching in the nose, sneezing, and runny nose at night may be caused by allergic rhinitis, the common cold, sinusitis, or other conditions, generally requiring targeted treatment.
1. Allergic Rhinitis
If a patient inhales allergens such as dust or mites from bedding at night, it can easily trigger an allergic reaction in the nasal mucosa, increasing secretion from nasal mucosal glands. This may manifest as symptoms including nasal itching, sneezing, and runny nose. Patients can take antihistamine medications as prescribed by a doctor, such as loratadine tablets or cetirizine hydrochloride tablets.
2. Common Cold
If a patient fails to stay warm at night and catches a chill, it may easily lead to a cold, usually associated with bacterial or viral infections of the upper respiratory tract. Symptoms often include sneezing and runny nose, while nasal secretions can also cause nasal itching. Additional symptoms such as fever and headache may occur. Under medical guidance, patients may take cold-relief medications like compound chlorpheniramine and paracetamol tablets or ibuprofen tablets.
3. Sinusitis
Sinusitis is an inflammatory condition of the sinus mucosa, which tends to flare up at night—mainly due to dropping temperatures and cold air triggering blood vessel dilation in the nasal mucosa, leading to the aforementioned symptoms. Patients may use corticosteroid medications as advised by a physician, such as budesonide nasal spray or mometasone furoate nasal spray.
Patients are advised to keep warm at night and maintain a clean, hygienic indoor environment regularly.
