Soothing a Raw & Sore Nose (Plus, Decongestion Tips)

The best ways to keep your nostrils happy and moisturized when you have a cold

Co-authored by Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI and Aly Rusciano

Last Updated: March 16, 2023 References Approved

Reducing Irritation & Chafing

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Decongesting Your Nose

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Expert Q&A

We’ve all been there. A sudden onset of allergies or an annoying cold has left you in a pile of tissues. Not only is your nose full of snot, but it hurts too! Frequently blowing your nose can leave it red, irritated, and dry, but how can you stop this when you can’t stop using tissues? Luckily, there are several ways you can get relief from a chapped nose and prevent further nose blowing, and all they require is a bit of self-care.

Things You Should Know

Apply an ointment or balm like Vaseline or Neosporin to chapped nostrils to soothe burning and irritation.
Hold a warm, damp washcloth over your nose to relieve pain and provide moisture.
Try blowing your nose one nostril at a time to gently release mucus without excessively rubbing your nose with a tissue.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Reducing Irritation & Chafing

1
Apply a soothing moisturizer to the outside of your nostrils. Petroleum jellies like Vaseline and ointments like Neosporin can help soothe your irritated nose. Place a small amount of product on a Q-tip, then apply it around the entrance of each nostril. The extra moisture will not only relieve dryness, but it will also create a barrier against irritation from a runny nose.^{[1]
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- If you don't have Vaseline or Neosporin handy, use your regular face lotion. It won't lock in moisture as effectively, but it’ll still give you relief.
2
Buy tissues with lotion. Splurging on high-quality facial tissue can go a long way toward soothing your nose. Look for products treated with lotion. These are softer on your nostrils and cause less damage when blowing your nose. Less chafing during nose-blowing means less irritation in the long run.^{[2]
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3
Soak your nose with a moist washcloth. If your nose is badly chafed or bleeding, add warm moisture quickly to relieve the pain. Run a clean washcloth under hot water, then gently press it into the nostrils. Tilt your head back, breathe through your mouth, and leave the washcloth in place until it cools to room temperature.
- Apply petroleum jelly or Neosporin to your nose immediately after soaking it.
- Wash the washcloth immediately after using it.
4
Try blowing your nose less. A runny or congested nose can feel terrible, and you may be tempted to blow your nose constantly. Though it may be hard, fight that urge and blow your nose only when necessary. If a little mucus runs out of your nose, gently dab it away instead of honking on a dry tissue and irritating your nose.
5
Use a gentle nose-blowing technique to reduce chafing. Instead of taking a deep breath and blowing as hard as you can, blow gently through one nostril and then the other. Continue alternating nostrils until you feel your nose is clear.^{[3]
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6
Seek medical treatment for allergies.^{[4]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} If your runny or irritated nose is caused by seasonal allergies, contact your doctor. They can prescribe allergy medications to help manage and control your reactions. Whether you get allergy shots or take Flonase nasal spray when your nose starts running, treating the underlying allergy will help soothe your nose.^{[5]
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Expert Source

Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI
Board Certified Allergist
Expert Interview. 29 July 2020.}
- Keep in mind that oral decongestants tend to make your mucous even dryer, which could increase irritation.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Decongesting Your Nose

1
Sit in a steamy room. Turn on the hot water in the shower, and close the door to keep all the steam in. Stay in the bathroom for 3 to 5 minutes or until you feel your sinuses clearing up. Gently blow your nose before leaving the room to let everything out.^{[6]
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- To save water, take a hot shower and then blow your nose when you get out.
- If you can access a sauna or steam room, consider heading there instead.
2
Apply a warm compress to the bridge of your nose. Wet a washcloth and place it in the microwave until it's warm (not burning hot). Place the cloth across your nose and let it sit until it's cooled. The heat will loosen secretions or mucus from the nasal cavity.
- Repeat the process before blowing your nose if necessary.
- Microwaving time will vary depending on your machine, so start with 30 seconds and add 15 seconds at a time.
3
Flush your nose with saline spray.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI
Board Certified Allergist
Expert Interview. 29 July 2020.} A quick mist of saline spray can help clear your nasal cavity and sinuses. Spray the bottle twice into each nostril to feel instant relief.^{[8]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals
Go to source} Purchase saline spray at your local drug store or pharmacy, or make saline spray at home with the following steps:
- Mix 8 fluid ounces (240 mL) of warm water with ¹⁄₂ tsp (0.010 c) of salt.
- Buy a suction bulb from the grocery store or pharmacy.
- Dip the end of the suction bulb into the solution and squeeze the bulb.
- Squirt the saline in the bulb into your nose.
4
Try using a neti pot. A neti pot looks like a miniature teapot and helps clear blocked sinus passages in the nose by flooding warm water through one nostril and out the other. Heat the water to at least 120 °F (49 °C). Then, let it cool to a comfortable temperature and fill the pot. Tilt your head to the left, and pour the water into your right nostril until it drains out of your left nostril.^{[9]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Don’t use a neti pot if you live in an area with inadequate water treatment, as using untreated water could put your health at risk.^{[10]
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5
Drink warm tea throughout the day. The throat and nose are closely connected, so drinking warm liquids can help warm up your nasal passage and help mucus flow more freely. Opt for your favorite tea or try a healing herbal tea if you’re fighting a cold.^{[11]
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- Peppermint and clove teas are great for soothing sore throats and opening up your nasal passage.
6
Exercise if you’re able to. Physical activity may not be the best option if you’re bedridden with a cold or flu. But if allergies cause your excessive nose-blowing, some extra movement may be just what you need! Increasing your heart rate and breaking a sweat can help clear your nasal passage. So, go for a 15-minute jog or do an at-home workout to get your blood pumping.^{[12]
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- Keep in mind where your allergies are coming from. For instance, it’s best to exercise indoors if you're allergic to pollen.
7
Eat something spicy to open your airways. Have you ever noticed that your nose starts to run when you eat extremely spicy foods? That’s because the food's heat burns your senses and opens your nasal passage. Snack on some hot salsa, peppers, or hot wings if you need a little help clearing your nose—just keep plenty of tissues nearby!^{[13]
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8
Invest in a humidifier to keep the air moist year-round. A common cause of a stuffy or irritated nose is dry air. Help moisten the air in your home or workspace all year round by setting up a humidifier. Set the machine to a humidity level between 30% and 50% to keep your sinuses happy and healthy.^{[14]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Make sure to clean and add new water to your humidifier daily to avoid bacteria buildup.
9
Massage your sinus area, so it's easier to blow your nose. Place a few drops of rosemary, peppermint, or lavender oil on your fingertips. Then, use your index and middle fingers to apply gentle pressure to the forehead (frontal sinus), bridge of the nose and temples (orbital sinus), and area under the eyes (maxillary sinus). Use circular motions to move and loosen built-up mucus.
- Wash your face afterward to remove any excess oil.
- If you don’t have essential oils, no worries! Do this massage with clean, bare fingers.

Expert Q&A
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Question

How can I stop my hay fever symptoms?

Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI
Board Certified Allergist
Dr. Alan O. Khadavi is a Board Certified Allergist and a Pediatric Allergy Specialist based in Los Angeles, California. He holds a BS in biochemistry from the State University of New York (SUNY) at Stony Brook and an MD from the State University of New York Health Science Center at Brooklyn. Dr. Khadavi completed his pediatric residency at Schneider Children’s Hospital in New York, and then went on to complete his allergy and immunology fellowship and pediatric residency at Long Island College Hospital. He is board certified in adult and pediatric allergy/immunology. Dr. Khadavi is a Diplomate of the American Board of Allergy and Immunology, a Fellow of the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI), and a member of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). Dr. Khadavi's honors include Castle Connolly’s list of Top Doctors 2013-2020, and Patient Choice Awards "Most Compassionate Doctor" in 2013 & 2014.

Alan O. Khadavi, MD, FACAAI

Board Certified Allergist

Expert Answer

Support wikiHow by unlocking this expert answer.

To help reduce the allergens in your home, I would keep the windows closed as much as possible and run your air conditioner to keep pollen out. It can also help to have a HEPA-grade air filter and encasings for your mattress and pillows to reduce dust mites.
Question

When I blow my nose the area between my nose and mouth gets red and sore. Is there something I can use to soothe that area?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

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You might want to try a nasal spray to moisturize the nose. You can get saline nasal sprays at the pharmacy. You may also want to try tissues treated with lotion.
Question

I have to use a whole box of tissues and it gets annoying. How do I get rid of a stuffy nose?

Chris M. Matsko, MD
Family Medicine Physician
Dr. Chris M. Matsko is a retired physician based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of medical research experience, Dr. Matsko was awarded the Pittsburgh Cornell University Leadership Award for Excellence. He holds a BS in Nutritional Science from Cornell University and an MD from the Temple University School of Medicine in 2007. Dr. Matsko earned a Research Writing Certification from the American Medical Writers Association (AMWA) in 2016 and a Medical Writing & Editing Certification from the University of Chicago in 2017.

Chris M. Matsko, MD

Family Medicine Physician

Expert Answer

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My recommendation is to use pseudoephedrine to help with congestion. You can find this at your local pharmacy.

Warnings

Seek medical attention if you have a sinus infection or your cold or flu lasts a week without improvement. Signs include thickening, greenish nasal secretions, and a sinus headache.
Although rare, Vaseline or petrolatum ointment frequently applied below the nose may cause lipid pneumonia. Avoid applying it too frequently, and switch between multiple moisturizers.^{[15]
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