Causes and treatments for nose scabs

Home remedies for scabs in the nose

For scabs caused by minor problems, such as allergies and colds, a person can try:

• Diffusing essential oils of eucalyptus and peppermint to help relieve nasal congestion, although this may sting if a wound is present.
• Using a neti pot to clear the nose of mucus and allergens.
• Doing a steam treatment at home by boiling a pot of clean water, letting it cool slightly, placing a towel over the head to capture the steam, and breathing it in through the nose.
• Drinking plenty of water and noncaffeinated liquids to help the body naturally flush mucus out of the nose.
• Applying a warm, wet washcloth over the nose several times a day.
• Using saline nasal spray as needed to help with pain and encourage the scab to heal.
• Putting a small amount of vaseline around and inside the nostril.

Causes of scabs in the nose

Various factors can cause scabs in the nose, but most are simple issues that heal without complications. Common causes include:

Allergies

Allergens can causeTrusted Source the inside of the nose to feel itchy, leading to rubbing or scratching of the nose. This may cause damage to the tissues inside.

This may cause inflammation, bleeding, and the formation of a scab. Even without rubbing or scratching, the ongoing inflammation from allergies can be irritating enough to cause scabs to form.

Irritants

Sometimes, a person’s nose can become irritated due to their environment, but not due to allergies. This is called nonallergic rhinitis.

Nonallergic rhinitis can cause a crust inside the nose that may smell unpleasant and bleed.

Certain chemicals can irritate the nose and cause nonallergic rhinitis, leading to inflammation and scabbing.

Common irritants that can cause nonallergic rhinitis include:

• cigarette smoke
• industrial chemicals, such as paint fumes
• overuse of decongestant nasal sprays
• alcohol and spicy food

Blowing the nose too hard

Blowing the nose is often necessary and helpful. However, blowing too hard can do more harm than good.

Forceful blowing of the nose can not only force the mucus back further into the sinuses, but it can also damage and irritate the inside of the nose.

People who blow their nose too hard and frequently may notice bleeding and scabbing inside the nose. Repeated forceful blowing can rip the scab off, leading to more bleeding and repeated scabbing.

Trauma or nose picking

An injury to the nose in an accident or sports can damageTrusted Source the tissue inside, leading to bleeding and scabbing.

Similarly, nose picking can damage the inside of the nose. Both children and adults may have this habit, especially when a cold or allergies lead to a mucus buildup in the nose.

Rhinotillexomania is the medical term for chronic nose picking.

In chronic or compulsive nose picking, scab formation may prompt the person to blow out or pick the scab, causing more bleeding, scabbing, and an ongoing cycle that does not allow the nose to heal.

Overuse of nasal sprays

Some nasal sprays contain oxymetazoline, a drug designed to shrink the blood vessels in the nose, helping it feel less congested.

Although these sprays can help the nose feel better initially, using them too oftenTrusted Source can lead to dryness, irritation, inflammation, and increased congestion in the nose.

All of these factors increase the risk of scabs inside the nose.

Cold sores (herpes simplex virus)

Although cold sores are most common around the mouth, they can appear in other places, includingTrusted Source inside the nose.

Cold sores result from an infection with the herpes simplex virus (HSV). A cold sore usually starts with a burning and tingling feeling, followed by a sore that scabs over and forms a crust.

Pimples or boils

The inside of the nose contains hair follicles that can become infected with bacteria. As a result, a pus-filled boil or pimple may develop.

Boils and pimples can cause pain and irritation. If they are scratched or popped, bleeding and scabbing may result.

Drug use

Snorting drugs, such as methamphetamines, cocaine, and heroin, can cause significant damage to the inside of the nose.

Irritation and scabbing in the nose are common with the use of these drugs. They can also make a hole, or perforation, in the septum inside the nose.

The edges of a perforation can crust and bleed, leading to serious complications, such as necrosis (tissue death).

Paranasal sinus and nasal cavity cancer

Cancer in the nasal cavity, or paranasal cancer, can cause a rangeTrusted Source of symptoms, including ongoing congestion and nosebleeds. This can lead to irritation and scabbing.

Other symptoms of paranasal cancer include:

• changes in a person’s sense of smell
• numbness or pain in the face
• changes in vision

Scabs in the nose and congestion are usually not signs of cancer. A doctor can rule out this cause with any necessary testing or exams if a person is concerned.

Prevention

People can take several steps to help prevent scabs in the nose, including:

• Taking allergy medications as recommended by a doctor.
• Blowing the nose gently and only when necessary. If no mucus comes out when blowing, a person should not force it or blow harder. Instead, they can moisten the nasal passages with a saline spray.
• Avoiding inhaling drugs, including illegal drugs.
• Asking a doctor before using a decongestant nasal spray containing oxymetazoline. If recommended, it should not be used more than twice a day or longer than 3 days.
• Using a humidifier.
• Keeping drug-free saline spray on hand to keep the inside of the nose moist. A person should look for sprays that contain only “sodium chloride” as the active ingredient.
• Not putting fingers or other objects in the nose.
• Dabbing petroleum jelly inside the nose helps keep moisture in, preventing the nasal tissues from drying out and bleeding.
• Avoiding picking at scabs or bumps inside the nose.
• Not smoking and avoiding places where others smoke.
• Avoiding strong chemical smells from harsh cleaning products whenever possible.
• Wearing a face mask that covers the nose when working with chemicals.
• Taking medications to help prevent cold sores.

When to contact a doctor

Although scabs in the nose often result from minor, harmless conditions, such as seasonal allergies, a health professional should examine ongoing scabs or discomfort in the nose.

Usually, a family doctor, an allergist, or an ear, nose, and throat doctor (otolaryngologist) can examine the inside of the nose with a light and recommend further testing or treatment if needed.

Blood tests may be necessary if a doctor suspects herpes or a bacterial infection. However, in many cases, a visual exam can diagnose scabs due to allergies and trauma.

Usually, the cause of scabs in the nose is easily treatable with home remedies and time.

Summary

Nasal scabs are generally no cause for concern and can be due to injury, over-picking, allergies, or irritants, such as overusing nasal sprays.

If a person is concerned about scabs in the nose or has any other symptoms, it is best to contact a doctor.