Experiencing a burning sensation in your nose is a common, yet often unsettling, experience. Many people find themselves wondering, “Why does my nose burn?”
That burning sensation can be alarming, triggering worries about what might be happening inside your body.
This article explores the various reasons why your nose might feel like it’s on fire, ranging from simple environmental factors to underlying health conditions. We’ll also discuss ways to soothe the discomfort and when it’s time to seek professional medical advice.
Common Culprits: Allergies and Irritants
A burning sensation in your nose may be the result of allergies or irritants that inflame the nasal passages.
Allergic Rhinitis
Allergies trigger the release of histamine and other chemicals in your body, leading to inflammation and irritation. Common allergens that can make your nose burn include pollen, pet dander, dust mites, and mold.
Allergies can be seasonal, triggered by pollen at certain times of the year, or perennial, meaning they occur year-round. Perennial allergies are often caused by indoor allergens such as dust mites and pet dander.
Non-Allergic Rhinitis
Non-allergic rhinitis is nasal inflammation that’s not caused by allergies. Instead, it’s triggered by irritants like smoke, strong odors, weather changes, and spicy foods.
These irritants can directly stimulate nerve endings in the nasal passages, causing a burning or stinging feeling.
Infections: Sinusitis and Viral Illnesses
A burning sensation in your nose can sometimes be traced to an infection, such as sinusitis or a run-of-the-mill viral illness.
Sinus Infections (Sinusitis)
Sinus infections inflame and swell the sinuses, leading to pressure, pain, and irritation in your nasal passages. That inflammation can feel like a burning sensation.
Typical symptoms of a sinus infection include:
- Nasal congestion
- Facial pain
- Headache
- Thick nasal discharge
Common Cold and Flu
Common viruses can also inflame the nasal passages, which causes irritation and a burning sensation.
Other symptoms you may experience if a cold or flu is causing your nose to burn include:
- Runny nose
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Fever
Environmental factors and overuse
Sometimes, a burning sensation in your nose is related to something in your environment or the way you’re treating a stuffy nose.
Environmental irritants
Dry air can often cause a burning feeling inside your nose. When the humidity drops, your nasal passages can dry out, which leads to irritation and that unpleasant burning sensation. This is especially common in the winter when heating systems are running.
Exposure to pollutants, chemical fumes, dust, and other irritants can also make your nose burn.
Nasal spray overuse (rhinitis medicamentosa)
Be careful about using nasal sprays for congestion. If you use them too much, you can end up with rebound congestion, also known as rhinitis medicamentosa.
When you overuse decongestant nasal sprays, your nasal passages can become dependent on them. That means they can become inflamed and irritated, which leads to a burning feeling.
Can COVID-19 cause a burning nose?
It’s not the most common symptom, but yes, COVID-19 sometimes causes a burning sensation in the nose.
The virus inflames and irritates the nasal passages, and that can feel like burning. The virus uses ACE-2 enzymes and TMPRSS2 proteins to enter cells, and those are found in the nose.
However, a burning nose by itself probably doesn’t mean you have COVID. If you also have more common symptoms like fever, cough, and loss of taste or smell, then it’s worth getting tested.
Relief and Treatment Options
There are several things you can do at home to help relieve a burning sensation in your nose:
- Use a saline nasal spray or rinse. These help to moisten and clear out your nasal passages.
- Try steam inhalation. Steam can soothe irritated nasal passages.
- Use a humidifier. A humidifier adds moisture to the air.
You might also consider some over-the-counter medications:
- Decongestants. These can clear up congestion, but be careful not to overuse them, or your congestion may return.
- Antihistamines. These can help with allergy symptoms.
And don’t forget to drink plenty of fluids to keep your nasal passages moist.
The Bottom Line
If the burning in your nose doesn’t go away after a couple of weeks, or if it gets worse, see a doctor or other healthcare provider. And if you have a fever, severe facial pain, any changes to your vision, or trouble breathing, get medical care right away.
It’s important to find out what’s causing the burning sensation in your nose so you can get the right treatment and start feeling better as soon as possible.