Why Does The Nose Itch And When Should You See A Doctor?

If you do not know why your nose itches, you should listen to yourself. Perhaps itching is a symptom of some disease. Or the tingling in the nose is caused by stress.

The cause of itching can be both a common cold and more alarming diseases.

Why does the nose itch?

Obsessive desire to scratch the nose can be a symptom of the disease. To understand which one, you need to listen to yourself.

1. A cold

Itching in the nose to the point of wanting to sneeze is a frequent companion of colds. Moreover, unpleasant sensations can occur even before the appearance of other characteristic symptoms of SARS. The fact is that respiratory viruses usually enter the body through the mucous membrane of the nose. To push out the "invasion", immunity includes defense mechanisms such as a runny nose or a sneeze. This causes itching in the nose.

2. Allergy

For example, seasonal, on plant pollen. However, allergens can be dead skin flakes, animal saliva, and mold spores. Even ordinary household dust, or rather, it contains dust mites and their excrement.

Allergens get on the mucous membrane of the nose, and the body reacts to them by releasing large doses of histamine. The latter, in turn, causes swelling and itching, due to which the hands are drawn to the face.

3. Rhinitis

Irritation of the mucous membrane of the nose is not only allergic. The culprits can be:

• smoke;
• sharp smells;
• too low or high air temperature, as well as its strong changes;
• very dry indoor air;
• certain medicines or nasal sprays.

Rhinitis can even be caused by hormonal changes — for example, those related to the monthly cycle in women.

4. Sinusitis

That is, inflammation of the nasal sinuses. The most common variant is sinusitis. However, which of the sinuses will be disturbed is not the main thing. It is more important that the nose will hurt, twist, itch and generally attract your attention in every possible way.

Other symptoms are also inevitable. For example, there is pain in the front of the face, especially when leaning forward, a constant runny nose and stuffy nose. An increase in temperature is also possible.

5. Polyps

These are small soft formations on the mucous membrane of the nose. It is impossible to notice them from the outside: polyps mainly manifest themselves as long-term non-life, congestion, snoring in sleep and regular bleeding. And also general discomfort, which makes you want to scratch and rub your nose.

6. Irritation of the skin on the nose

It causes discomfort, so you want to rub your nose. Skin can become dry and irritated for a variety of reasons, such as:

• wind;
• frosts;
• strong ultraviolet radiation;
• inappropriate cosmetics.

7. Skin diseases

Rosacea or seborrheic dermatitis can manifest as dryness and discomfort, including in the nose. With such diseases, the desire to scratch the nose is far from the only and not the most noticeable symptom. The skin (and not only the nose) will show redness, thickening, peeling areas and bumps.

8. Migraine

Sometimes this is called a severe headache. However, a migraine does not always cause it, and sometimes it is limited only to an aura - unusual symptoms such as short-term muscle weakness and the appearance of flashes of light in front of the eyes. Or, for example, strange tingling of the skin on some parts of the face, including the nose.

9. Multiple sclerosis

It occurs when a person's immune system mistakenly attacks the protective covering of nerve cells. Tingling and numbness, repeatedly appearing on the face and other parts of the body, is one of the earliest signs of this autoimmune disorder.

10. Stress

Doctors are far from always able to determine exactly what the tingling or itching on the face, including the nose, is related to. Experts of the American medical resource CalmClinic, for example, believe that the sensations in the nose can be affected by psychological factors, primarily anxiety.

When to consult a doctor

Usually, the desire to scratch the nose does not last long and passes by itself. If so, there is nothing to worry about.

But if the itching or tingling starts to get annoying or is accompanied by other symptoms — peeling, pain in the nose, bleeding, high temperature, you should consult a doctor. To begin with, a therapist.

The doctor will conduct an examination, ask about your well-being and lifestyle. Perhaps he will offer to take blood tests or make a skin scraping. This is necessary to make a preliminary diagnosis.

When the cause of the itchy nose is determined, the doctor will advise how to get rid of the unpleasant sensations. Or he will give a referral to a specialized specialist - otolaryngologist, dermatologist, neurologist, allergist or rheumatologist.