How to Stop an Itchy Nose

Medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS

Last Updated: October 26, 2024 References

An itchy nose can really bother you as you go about your day. Whether you’re a victim of nasal dryness or seasonal allergies—the 2 most common causes of nasal itching—addressing the underlying cause of your itchiness will relieve your symptoms. There are also some environmental and health factors to consider in the event that your itchy nose persists.^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Addressing Nasal Dryness

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Run a cool-mist humidifier in your bedroom at night according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This will put increased moisture in the air to lubricate your nasal passages and ease itchiness and irritation.^{[2]
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Mayo Clinic
Educational website from one of the world's leading hospitals

Go to source} Clean your cool-mist humidifier regularly to keep mold and bacteria from growing in the water.^{[3]
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2
Try saline nose drops. Use an over-the-counter saline nasal spray to lubricate your itchy nasal passages. Breathe in slowly through your nose as you spritz the spray in each nostril according to the manufacturer’s directions.^{[4]
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American Academy of Family Physicians
Organization devoted to improving the health of patients, families, and communities

Go to source} This will help clean irritants out of your nose and ease itching.^{[5]
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- Blow your nose if needed after using your saline spray.
- Administer your saline safely up to 2 times per day. If you feel you need it more often, consult your doctor.
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Aim to drink 15.5 cups (3.7 liters) of fluids a day if you’re a man, and 11.5 cups (2.7 liters) of fluids a day if you are a woman.^{[6]
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Mayo Clinic
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Go to source} Sufficient water intake will ensure that your nasal tissues are lubricated, preventing itchiness caused by dehydration.^{[7]
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4
Apply a water-soluble lubricant to the inside of your nose. Apply a pea-sized amount of water-soluble personal lubricant, such as KY jelly, to the inside of your nostrils with a clean cotton swab. Use as little as necessary to feel relief, and do not use the lubricant within a few hours of lying down.^{[8]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Avoid oil-based lubricants, such as petroleum jelly, which can migrate to the lungs and cause infection.
- You can purchase water-soluble lubricant at your local drug store or online.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Treating Allergies

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1
Steer clear of allergic triggers. Avoid common allergic irritants, especially if you notice your nasal itchiness worsens after being around them. Animal dander, dust, pollen, cigarette smoke, and mold can all cause your nose to become itchy.^{[9]
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- Buying a HEPA-grade air filter, keeping your pet out of your bedroom, and washing your bedding in hot water once a week will reduce your allergen exposure.^{[10]
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2
Try over-the-counter allergy medicines. Use an over-the-counter allergy medicine, such as Diphenhydramine or Loratadine, to relieve your itchy nose, watery eyes, and other allergy symptoms. Take over-the-counter allergy medications according to the manufacturer’s instructions.^{[11]
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- Note that some allergy drugs may cause drowsiness, especially Chlorpheniramine and Diphenhydramine. It can be helpful to take the medication for the first time on a day when you have less to do, so you can see how it affects you.
- Ask your pharmacist about any potential drug interactions between your current medication regimen and your over-the-counter allergy medication.
3
Make an appointment with an allergist. Contact a local allergist to discuss your symptoms and perform diagnostic allergy testing if your symptoms don’t improve. If you’re in the U.S., you can search for an allergist in your area on the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology website: http://acaai.org/locate-an-allergist.^{[12]
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- Bring any notes about when your itchy nose started, how long it has been going on, and anything that seems to trigger the itchiness.
- Often the doctor will request that you stop over-the-counter allergy medications before your appointment for the most conclusive allergy testing.
4
Talk to your doctor about nasal corticosteroids. Ask your doctor if nasal corticosteroids would be helpful to treat your itchy nose. These prescription medications reduce swelling in your nasal passages, calming irritation and itchiness caused by seasonal allergies.^{[13]
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- Long-term use of corticosteroids comes with some risks, such as damage to the nasal passages. Talk to your doctor about using the steroids intermittently (i.e., only when you need them), and find the lowest possible dose that controls your itchy nose and other symptoms.^{[14]
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- If you use corticosteroids long-term, your doctor will need to do checkups occasionally to make sure they are not causing any harmful effects.
Ask your doctor about allergy shots, also called immunotherapy, if your symptoms don’t improve with prescription medication. Allergy shots are therapeutic injections that expose you to allergens in incremental doses to decrease your sensitivity to them. In time, this reduces your allergic symptoms.^{[15]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Managing Other Potential Causes

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1
Minimize your smoke exposure. Ask smokers to smoke outside your home, and start smoking cessation therapy if you need to quit. Smoke can cause irritation and swelling of your nasal passages, which may feel itchy.^{[16]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Your doctor can help you find and start a program to quit smoking.
2
Keep a dust-free home. Remove knickknacks that collect dust, such as tabletop ornaments or books, and clean your home regularly. Even if you’re not allergic, dust particles can irritate your nasal passages, causing inflammation and itching.
- If possible, arrange for someone else to clean your home, so dust that’s kicked up in the cleaning process doesn’t further irritate you.^{[17]
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3
Make an appointment with your doctor for a checkup. Visit your doctor to see if a virus, such as the flu, or a bacterial infection, such as a sinus infection, could be causing your nasal itchiness. Though this is less common than nasal dryness or allergies, it is possible if you’ve otherwise been feeling unwell.^{[18]
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- Certain chronic health problems, such as chronic fatigue syndrome and underactive thyroid, can cause an itchy nose. Discuss these possibilities with your doctor.
Aim to drink no more than 2 alcoholic drinks in a given day, if you are a man. Women should aim to drink no more than 1 drink per day.^{[19]
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Main public health institute for the US, run by the Dept. of Health and Human Services

Go to source} Alcohol can cause your nasal membranes to swell, making them itchy and irritated.^{[20]
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Mayo Clinic
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5
Monitor hormonal changes. Note if your nasal itchiness coincided with a hormonal shift due to pregnancy, menopause, menstruation, or starting hormonal birth control. If so, it could be to blame for your symptoms. These changes can all cause itchy nasal passages.^{[21]
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- Discuss your nasal symptoms with your doctor, who can help you figure out how to address them. It may be an option to change hormonal birth control pills, for example.
6
Look into the impact of any new medications you're taking. Discuss your symptoms with your doctor if you noticed nasal itchiness after beginning a new medication. Aspirin, ibuprofen, beta-blockers, and some high-blood-pressure medications can cause nasal irritation and itchiness.^{[22]
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Mayo Clinic
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- Your doctor may be able to suggest a different medication or a new approach to ease your side effects.
Don’t use nasal decongestant sprays, such as Afrin, for more than 3 days at a time. While these sprays reduce swelling and can help relieve itchiness, prolonged use often causes rebound congestion with a worsening of symptoms.^{[23]
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