What should I do if my nose is dry and congested?
Disease description:
Recently, my nose has been dry and congested. I frequently pick my nose with my fingers and forcefully pinch or squeeze it when it feels blocked. Now, my entire nose is so tender that even light touch causes discomfort. I would like to know: What can I do about nasal dryness and congestion?
Doctor's answer (2)
Dr. Chen Tansheng
A common cause of nasal dryness and nasal obstruction is vestibulitis of the nose, resulting from long-term, repeated nose-picking. Chronic, diffuse inflammatory exudation of the nasal vestibular mucosa leads to recurrent nasal crusting that obstructs the nasal airway, thereby causing nasal dryness and impaired airflow. In such cases, further nose-picking must be avoided to prevent injury to the nasal mucosal surface. Concurrently, topical application of Mupirocin ointment (Bactroban) or erythromycin ointment may be used. Another subset of cases is attributable to caseous rhinitis or atrophic rhinitis, which primarily manifest as nasal dryness and nasal congestion—indirectly caused by excessive nasal crusting.
