Overview
A burning sensation in your nose when breathing is usually caused by irritation or inflammation of the nasal lining. Common causes include dry air, allergies, infections, irritants like smoke or strong smells, and overuse of nasal sprays. In most cases, it is temporary, but persistent symptoms may require medical evaluation.
If you feel a burning sensation while breathing, chances are it’s either an infection, allergies like sinusitis, or hay fever. Let’s explore all the possible causes that can cause nose burning. In any case, if you experience long-term, uncomfortable symptoms, you may consult an online doctor from your home.
Why does your nose burn when you breathe?
Nasal burning also depends on the time of year. It is more common during dry weather or allergy season. Below, we will discuss some of the leading causes of nose burning, what symptoms are observed, and possible treatment options.
Allergic rhinitis
An allergy occurs when the person’s immune system reacts to triggers such as dust, pollen, or chemicals. This trigger is called an allergen, which varies among individuals. As a result of the immune system backfiring, inflammation occurs inside the nose, which causes a burning sensation. Allergic rhinitis affects 10-20% of the population annually, as per 2018 research stats. Allergic rhinitis is also known as hay fever and includes the following symptoms, other than a burning sensation in the nose:
- Headache
- Sneezing
- Post-nasal drip
- Stuffy nose
- Itch or burning in the nose, eyes, throat
Treatment
- Avoid the allergen: Avoid exposure if you know which allergen triggers the allergy. If you don’t know, ask your doctor to run an allergy test to confirm the diagnosis.
- Over-the-counter medicines: Additionally, if exposure cannot be minimized, like during allergy season, some over-the-counter options can help you get through that duration and ease your symptoms, such as antihistamines and nasal corticosteroids.
- Immunotherapy: You can also go for immunotherapy to settle down the allergic reaction once and for all, which acts like a vaccine. In immunotherapy, you are exposed to tiny amounts of the allergen enough to make you immune to it and insufficient to trigger an allergic reaction. Immunotherapy is done in different forms, from injections to oral forms, where placing the tablet below your tongue works instead of receiving daily injections for a set amount of time.
Learn more about allergic rhinitis treatment.
Nonallergic rhinitis
It is also the inflammation of the nose. However, the cause is not an allergic reaction but a person’s sensitivity towards certain things that can trigger it, like air pollution, certain chemicals, or fragrances. This sensitivity can be caused by certain health conditions or medication. There is no specific timeline or duration. This type of sensitivity stays year-round. The following are the symptoms of nonallergic rhinitis:
- Nose burns when sneezing
- Sneezing
- Post-nasal drip
- Stuffy nose
- It doesn’t cause itching
Treatment
- Since it lasts a year, the only solution is avoiding exposure.
- Other options include rinsing the nose with saline nasal sprays to reduce inflammation.
Sinusitis
The empty spaces behind the forehead and cheeks surrounding the nasal cavity are called sinuses. Sinus inflammation is called sinusitis. It can occur as a result of a bacterial or viral infection. Sinusitis can be diagnosed if your nose is burning along with other symptoms like:
- Fever and cough
- Post-nasal drip
- Sore throat
- Runny nose or stuffy nose
- Pain in the cheeks or forehead
- Dizziness
Treatment
- Sinusitis treatment includes antibiotics for bacterial infections or treatment on its own for viral infections. If you experience similar symptoms, consult with a doctor immediately.
- Your doctor may also recommend decongestants to ease the symptoms.
- Otherwise, home remedies can also help provide relief, such as applying a warm compress, using a saline nasal wash, drinking plenty of fluids, and sleeping with your head elevated.
Explore more sinusitis treatment options.
Cold
According to CDC stats, there are different viruses responsible for the common cold, which attacks a person at least 2-3 times annually. The viruses that cause colds include rhinovirus, parainfluenza virus, and seasonal coronavirus. The cold virus also serves to infect and inflame the nasal cavity and cause a burning sensation, along with other symptoms like:
- Fever
- Loss of taste and smell
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Head and body aches
- Coughing
- Watery eyes
Treatment
- Although we are all immune to viral colds, no specific treatment exists. However, the symptoms can be relieved using over-the-counter medicines for the body and headaches, and decongestants to relieve a runny or stuffy nose.
- Otherwise, some herbal drinks can also ease the symptoms.
Dry air and weather changes
Dry air, especially during winter or in air-conditioned environments, can dry out the nasal passages and cause a burning sensation when breathing. A lack of humidity will leave the airways dry, irritating the nasal lining and causing dryness and crusting that might lead to nose burning upon breathing. During dry weather, long exposures to air conditioners can also suck the remaining moisture and further dry out the nasal mucosa, which can cause a burning sensation in the nose.
Treatment:
Using a humidifier (ideal humidity: 30–50%) can help relieve symptoms and restore air moisture. Moreover, drink plenty of water to avoid getting dehydrated and drying of the nasal airways. Another solution is to use 0.9% saline solution to rinse your nostrils.
Influenza
The common flu is caused by the influenza virus, which infects and inflames the respiratory tract. It can also cause a burning sensation in the nose, fatigue, body aches, headaches, sore throat, runny nose, sneezing, and fever. Sometimes it can also cause diarrhea and vomiting. People over 65, children under five, and pregnant women are more prone to attack by this virus and, therefore, are in the high-risk group. Learn why you keep sneezing and how to stop sneezing from allergies.
Treatment
- Influenza, just like other viral infections, goes away on its own. Antivirals can help ease the symptoms and reduce the recovery time by one day.
- Otherwise, certain herbal teas can help ease symptoms and clear post-nasal drip.
Irritants that can cause a burning nose
Exposure to certain environmental irritants can inflame the nasal lining and cause a burning sensation, especially when breathing in. Common triggers include:
- Cigarette smoke or vaping
- Strong perfumes or fragrances
- Cleaning chemicals (bleach, ammonia)
- Air pollution or dust
- Spicy foods
Avoiding these triggers and improving ventilation can help reduce symptoms.
Other respiratory infections
A respiratory infection can cause a burning sensation in the nose and throat and affect the lungs. One such example is COVID-19, also called SARS-CoV-2. Its symptoms include a burning sensation in the nose, shortness of breath, sore throat, loss of taste and smell, headache, body aches, diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting.
Treatment
- Respiratory infections are treated based on the cause.
- If a bacterium causes a respiratory infection, then your provider will prescribe potential antibiotics after diagnosing the causal agent.
How to relieve a burning sensation in the nose at home?
The following home remedies can help you manage mild symptoms:
- Stay hydrated to keep nasal passages moist
- Take steam to clear congestion and ease a stuffy nose
- Use a humidifier to increase air moisture
- Take a rest to help the body recover
- Use saline nasal sprays or rinses to soothe irritation and inflammation
- Avoid triggers like smoke, perfumes, and chemicals
These remedies can ease the symptoms, but don’t cure allergic reactions or infections. If symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical treatment.
When to consult a doctor?
Seek medical attention or consult an ENT doctor if:
- Symptoms last more than 7–10 days
- You have severe nasal pain or swelling
- You experience frequent nosebleeds
- There is thick yellow or green discharge
- You have a fever, headache, or facial pain
Seek urgent care if:
- Vision changes
- Swelling around the eyes
- Confusion or severe headache
- Difficulty breathing
These may indicate a more serious condition requiring immediate care. If you have long-term allergy symptoms, it’s best to speak with your ENT specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
It’s important to note here that online doctors can’t treat conditions that require immediate medical attention. Our services do not replace hospitals or emergency services.
