Redness inside the nose is common and often causes concern. While it can indicate underlying issues, it frequently stems from minor, temporary irritations. Understanding the potential causes helps clarify why this occurs. This information covers various factors contributing to nasal redness, from everyday irritants to less common conditions.
Everyday Reasons for Nasal Redness
The delicate mucous membrane lining the nose can become irritated and inflamed, leading to redness. Dryness is a frequent cause, especially in low humidity environments like during colder months or with indoor heating. This lack of moisture can damage or crack the nasal membrane, causing irritation and even nosebleeds.
Mechanical irritation, like nose picking, can inflame and swell nasal tissue. Repeated trauma may rupture small blood vessels, causing redness, sores, or scabs. Forceful nose blowing, especially with a cold or allergies, can also irritate nasal membranes, leading to redness and pain.
Allergies, or allergic rhinitis, commonly cause internal nasal redness. This involves an immune system overreaction to airborne allergens like pollen, dust, or pet dander. When exposed, the body releases inflammatory chemicals, such as histamine, which inflame mucous membranes and produce excess mucus, leading to redness, itching, and swelling.
Common colds, viral upper respiratory infections, frequently inflame and swell nasal passages (rhinitis). The immune response increases blood flow and tissue swelling, contributing to internal nasal redness. This inflammation also hinders mucus drainage, causing congestion and irritation.
Environmental irritants also contribute to nasal redness. Air pollutants like particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, and tobacco smoke can irritate nasal passages and sinuses. This triggers inflammatory mediators, leading to heightened nasal hyperreactivity, inflammation, and redness.
Other Possible Explanations
Beyond common irritations, less frequent but significant conditions can cause nasal redness. Bacterial infections, like nasal vestibulitis, infect hair follicles just inside the nostrils. This often results from minor trauma such as nose picking or excessive nose blowing, causing localized redness, pain, and sores. Untreated, it can spread to other facial areas.
Impetigo, a highly contagious bacterial skin infection, can also affect the nasal area. It causes red sores that quickly rupture and form honey-colored crusts. Though common on the face, impetigo can appear around and inside the nostrils, causing redness and discomfort when bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus or Streptococcus pyogenes enter skin breaks.
Fungal infections in the nasal cavity are less common but can occur, especially in immunocompromised individuals. Conditions like fungal sinusitis involve inflamed sinus linings due to fungal overgrowth, leading to chronic redness, congestion, and other symptoms. The body’s immune response to fungi causes an inflammatory reaction, contributing to persistent redness.
Chronic inflammatory conditions can also cause internal nasal redness. Non-allergic or non-infectious forms of rhinitis can lead to persistent inflammation and redness of mucous membranes. Some individuals experience a strong nasal reaction to irritants, causing chronic swelling and a red or purplish appearance. These conditions involve ongoing immune responses that keep nasal tissues inflamed.
When to Consult a Doctor
While nasal redness often resolves naturally, certain symptoms warrant medical evaluation. Consult a doctor if redness persists or worsens over several days. A visit is also recommended if severe pain accompanies the redness, indicating a more serious infection or underlying issue.
Other concerning signs include redness spreading beyond the nose, fever, or pus/foul-smelling discharge. These may suggest a bacterial infection requiring specific medical treatment, like antibiotics. If nasal redness is associated with difficulty breathing or other unusual symptoms, seek professional medical advice for proper diagnosis and management.
Comfort Measures and Prevention
Simple measures can alleviate discomfort and prevent future nasal redness. A saline nasal spray or rinse keeps passages moist, beneficial in dry environments, and washes away irritants. Regular humidifier use, especially in bedrooms, adds moisture to the air, preventing nasal lining dryness and reducing irritation.
Avoiding nose picking is an important preventive step, as it causes trauma and introduces bacteria. When blowing your nose, use a gentle technique to avoid excessive pressure and irritation. Minimizing exposure to environmental irritants like dust, smoke, or strong chemicals can also reduce nasal inflammation and redness. Staying well-hydrated supports overall mucous membrane health. These measures are general recommendations, not a substitute for professional medical advice if serious causes are suspected.