5 Effective Ways To Treat A Dry Nose - Healthline

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6 Ways to Treat a Dry Nose

Medically reviewed by Jillian Foglesong Stabile MD, FAAFP, DABOM — Written by Brian Krans — Updated on July 18, 2025

Petroleum jelly
Humidifier
Nasal spray
Sinus rinse
Damp wipes
Steam or sauna
Bonus tip
FAQ
Takeaway

There are many home remedies for soothing dryness inside your nose. Inhaling steam, applying petroleum jelly, or gently wiping with a damp cloth are just a few.

Cold or allergy season leaves many of us with a trademark symptom, right in the middle of our faces: a dry nose.

While a dry nose is uncomfortable, many remedies for it can be purchased in stores or online or even used with things you already have in your home.

Here are six effective home remedies:

Petroleum jelly

Use your fingers to apply a very small dab of petroleum jelly to the lining inside of your nose. Not only is it good for keeping your nose moisturized, but it’s also safely handled by your stomach in small amounts.

Do not use this method too frequently or for prolonged periods, and do not apply too much at a time.

Rarely, petroleum jelly can make its way into the trachea and lungs and lead to significant lung problems. If you have a preexisting chronic lung problem, you may want to speak to your doctor before trying this at-home treatment.

Humidifier

Sleeping with a dry mist humidifier in your bedroom can help increase the humidity in your room, which can provide relief to your nasal passages.

Place the humidifier in the center of the room. The EPA suggests cleaning your humidifier as the manufacturer suggests, and consider using distilled water to avoid mineral buildup on your humidifier.

Here’s a tip: Don’t point it at furniture. The excess moisture can promote mold growth and damage wooden surfaces.

Saline nasal spray

Saline nasal sprays contain sodium chloride. They can moisturize your nose while cleaning out dust, dirt, and pollen. They may also help relieve nasal congestion.

Some people prefer a nasal saline gel and feel this stays better than the liquid form.

Avoid using other medicated sprays to treat nasal dryness.

Sinus rinse

Sinus rinse or nasal irrigation is a method of cleaning the inside of your nose and part of the sinus area by flushing it with distilled or boiled and cooled water. Flushing your nasal passages may help thin or remove mucus, allergens, and other things that may irritate or dry your nose.

You can use devices like a Neti pot or a squeeze bottle to let sterilized water gently flow into one side of your nose and out the other side. Never use water that is not sterile. Using unsterilized water can cause a serious infection.

Only use distilled water or water that has been boiled and fully cooled.

Damp wipes

Moisten a facial tissue with water using a spray bottle, and wipe along the lining of your nostrils. This can help prevent drying and irritation.

You may want to avoid baby wipes, even though they are designed for cleaning sensitive areas without causing over-drying, the fragrances in many baby wipes may cause irritation or trigger allergies..

Steam or sauna

A common home facial treatment, steam, can also help relieve a dry nose. You can even hang your head over a sink of hot water, but the effects of the steam won’t last for long. Using a towel with a sink or bowl full of hot water can increase the effect. A steamy shower is also good.

Bonus tip

Besides using moisture in the air, make sure you help your body from the inside by staying hydrated.

Drinking plenty of fluids, such as water or tea, especially if you have a dry nose during a cold, can help moisturize your nose from the inside out.

Frequently asked questions

How do you cure a dry nose?

There are a few home remedies you can try to ease the dryness in your nose. Inhaling steam may help, as may putting a bit of petroleum jelly in your nostrils. Another idea is to use a damp cloth to gently wipe down the inside of your nose. Staying hydrated can also help keep your nostrils moist.

Why is my nose so dry inside?

A common cause of a dry nose is blowing your nose too often, whether that’s because of a cold or allergies. A dry nose is also common among people who live in areas with dry weather and who smoke tobacco or marijuana.Chronic dry nose can also be caused by certain medical conditions, such as Sjögren’s disease.Other causes of a dry nose include infection, nutritional deficiencies, and chronic atrophic rhinitis, a longstanding nasal inflammation due to an unknown cause.Dry nose is also a common symptom of certain medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants, used for the common cold or allergies. Other nasal sprays, like Flonase, can also cause a dry nose.

Chronic dry nose can also be caused by certain medical conditions, such as Sjögren’s disease.

Other causes of a dry nose include infection, nutritional deficiencies, and chronic atrophic rhinitis, a longstanding nasal inflammation due to an unknown cause.

Dry nose is also a common symptom of certain medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants, used for the common cold or allergies. Other nasal sprays, like Flonase, can also cause a dry nose.

Is a dry nose a serious symptom?

Outside of being uncomfortable and painful, a case of dry nose is rarely serious. The linings of your nose and the crease underneath are sensitive. Excess dryness and irritation can cause the skin to crack and bleed.However, if you have had a dry nose for more than 10 days or experience signs of infection — fever, discharge, bloody nose that won’t stop, and weakness — you should contact your doctor immediately.

However, if you have had a dry nose for more than 10 days or experience signs of infection — fever, discharge, bloody nose that won’t stop, and weakness — you should contact your doctor immediately.

What is the best medication for a dry nose?

In terms of natural remedies, inhaling steam, using a saline spray, or an over-the-counter gel that contains ectoine, a natural molecule, can help reduce nasal dryness. A 2021 review of clinical trials using nasal sprays containing ectoine found these sprays to be effective.If you have Sjögren’s disease, you may need prescription medication such as Salagen (pilocarpine) and Evoxac (cevimeline).

If you have Sjögren’s disease, you may need prescription medication such as Salagen (pilocarpine) and Evoxac (cevimeline).

Takeaway

If you are experiencing the discomfort of a dry nose, there are things you can do at home. From inhaling steam and taking a sauna to petroleum jelly and nasal spray, here are 5 remedies to try.

Speak with your doctor or healthcare professional if your dry nose persists.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHistoryHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

Bilstein A, et al. (2021). The effectiveness of the bacteria derived extremolyte ectoine for the treatment of allergic rhinitis.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8187048/
Dunkin MA. (n.d.). Sjogren’s syndrome and your body.https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/more-about/sjogrens-syndrome-and-your-body
How to safely rinse sinuses. (2025).https://www.cdc.gov/naegleria/prevention/sinus-rinsing.html
Kilaru H, et al. (2017). Nasal application of petrolatum ointment — A silent cause of exogenous lipoid pneumonia: Successfully treated with prednisolone.https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5508482/
Lebovics R. (n.d.). Patient education sheet. Simple solutions for dry nose and sinuses.https://sjogrens.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/Dry%20Nose%20and%20Sinuses%20Patient%20Education%20Sheet.pdf
Use and care of home humidifiers. (2025).https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/use-and-care-home-humidifiers

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Medically reviewed by Jillian Foglesong Stabile MD, FAAFP, DABOM — Written by Brian Krans — Updated on July 18, 2025

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