What Causes Dry Nose at Night and What You Can Do About It

Introduction

A dry nose is a common thing we may all have faced at some point in our lives, especially during the winter season when it may be caused by low humidity and indoor heating systems¹. Yet, it becomes hard to deal with at night as it may cause irritation, crusting, or nasal obstruction, which may interfere with sleep. While it is not a universal problem, knowing what causes it gives you a way to manage it better.  

In this article, you’ll understand the causes of a dry nose and discuss ways to manage it to reduce any discomfort. The article will also discuss warning signs that might mean you need medical help.  

Causes of Dry Nose at Night

Dry nose may occur due to varied reasons, from simple environmental issues to serious health concerns. Let’s understand some common causes of dry nose. 

1. Dehydration

If you don’t drink enough water, it may lead to dehydration. Dehydration, even when mild, may contribute to reduced mucus production². This indirectly affects the moist nasal lining. Hydrating yourself is often the first step to managing a dry nose. 

2. Dry Indoor Air

Changes in seasons often lead to dry air, especially in winter. The use of heaters or air conditioners can also reduce indoor humidity¹. This adds to the dryness of the inner lining of the nose. Using a humidifier to keep your living space moist may help you avoid dryness of the nose.  

3. Allergies

Allergies can often lead to a dry nose³. Identifying and avoiding common allergy triggers like pollen, pet fur, dust mites, and moulds may save you from a lot of inconvenience. 

4. Rhinitis Atrophicans

Professional medical advice can guide you towards better alternatives for these medicines without causing dryness in your nostrils.  

This is a condition characterised by dryness and atrophy (thinning) of the nasal mucosa, often accompanied by crusting and widened nasal air spaces. It is commonly associated with the symptom of a dry nose⁶.

Management involves identifying and eliminating contributing factors, moisturising the nasal mucosa, removing crusts, and treating any secondary infections. 

5. Ageing

Older adults are more likely to experience a dry nose due to lower humidity and temperature in the nasal passages. With age, blood vessels in the nasal lining become less effective at warming and moistening the air, leading to irritation, dryness, and crusting⁷.

6. Environmental Factors

There are several environmental triggers for a dry nose, as follows.   

• Tobacco smoke: Being around tobacco smoke dries and irritates the nose, increasing the risk of infections.  
• Chemical irritants: Some cleaning agents, perfumes, and air pollutants have chemicals that dry your nose and make it uncomfortable.  

Steering clear of these triggers may give a lot of relief from a dry nose.  

7. Nasal Obstruction

Nasal obstruction can result from conditions like a deviated septum, polyps, rhinitis, or sinusitis. It may lead to mouth breathing, causing dryness in the mouth and throat⁸. However, it does not directly cause nasal dryness.  

8. Sjögren’s Syndrome  

Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic autoimmune disease where the body attacks its exocrine glands (that secrete substances into body cavities or on the surface of the body), mainly the salivary and tear glands, causing dry eyes and mouth. It can also affect other mucosal surfaces, including the nose, throat, bronchi, and vagina, leading to widespread dryness⁹. 

If you have severe or persistent nasal dryness, it’s important to consult a doctor to rule out Sjögren’s syndrome as a possible cause.  

9. Other Medical Conditions  

Some health issues, like empty nose syndrome (ENS) and rhinitis sicca anterior, might also cause a dry nose⁶. Managing these with professional advice from a doctor is the best way to address these issues. 

Signs and Symptoms of a Dry Nose

Knowing the signs and symptoms of a dry nose may help you tackle it before it gets worse. Here are some common signs of a dry nose: 

• Crusty or Flaky Skin: Dry mucus and skin can create a crust or flakes inside the nasal cavity. However, crusting could also be associated with atrophic rhinitis, nasal trauma, or frequent nose-picking in addition to dryness. Thus, proper evaluation is necessary for a diagnosis. 
• A Dry, Stuffy Feeling: Even though dryness typically doesn’t cause actual nasal obstruction, it may lead to mucosal irritation or swelling, which may create a sensation of nasal stuffiness or blockage. 
• Nosebleeds: The anterior nasal mucosa, particularly an area known as Kiesselbach’s plexus, is highly prone to bleeding when it becomes dry or inflamed. This is a common complication of dry air exposure, nasal trauma, or repeated irritation¹⁰.
• Difficulty Breathing: While dryness alone doesn’t directly cause nasal swelling, it can lead to irritation of the nasal lining, inflammation, or crusting, which may contribute to a feeling of nasal blockage and make it harder to breathe through the nose. 
• Frequent Irritation or Infections: Frequently experiencing a dry nose may lead to irritation and infections.  

If you see one or more of these signs, you should consult a doctor for the right management options. 

To my knowledge, an occasional case of dry nose may result in anosmia or the loss of smell. Additionally, you may get empty nose syndrome. Even though your nasal passageways are completely open, this condition may give you the impression that something is obstructing them. As such, even when your lungs are getting enough oxygen, you might have a persistent feeling of shortness of breath¹³.

Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)

Tips for Managing a Dry Nose

Nasal dryness can often be managed with some simple steps, such as:   

1. Stay Hydrated

Drinking plenty of water supports overall hydration and general health. However, it is important to note that hydration alone doesn’t directly moisten the nasal mucosa, unless there’s significant dehydration. 

2. Use a Humidifier

Humidifiers are effective in maintaining humidity in dry indoor environments or during colder months. 

3. Maintain Good Nasal Hygiene

Keeping your nose clean can help retain the moisture and reduce irritation or crusting. However, it’s important to avoid over-cleaning, as aggressive methods may further dry or irritate the nasal lining. Two common methods for maintaining nasal hygiene include¹¹:

4. Using Saline Nasal Spray

Saline sprays help moisturise the nasal mucosa and loosen mucus, which may ease mild congestion. Please note that they are not intended to treat more severe blockages caused by infection or structural issues. 

5. Practice Nasal Irrigation

This involves gently rinsing the nasal passages with a salt-water solution. It can help remove allergens, crusts, and mucus, keeping the sinuses clean and moist when done properly and regularly. 

6. Keep Away from Substances That Dry Your Nose

Identify the medicines or substances that dry your nose, and talk to a doctor about substituting them with something that suits you better.  

7. Use Nasal Gels

Some nasal gels are specifically formulated for safe intranasal use and help moisturise the nasal passages and reduce irritation¹².

8. Inhale Steam or Take a Hot Shower

Steam from hot water or a sauna may cut down nasal dryness by making your nasal mucosa moist.  

In my opinion, the following actions may help reduce dry nose symptoms: use nasal sprays or drops to lubricate nasal passages as directed by your healthcare provider, use a humidifier to provide moisture to the air, and use a saltwater solution to rinse your nasal passages (nasal irrigation)¹³. 

Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS

Side Effects of Medications

Certain medications can cause dryness in the nose as a side effect. Some commonly known contributors include: 

• Antihistamines: First-generation antihistamines (like diphenhydramine, doxylamine, and methdilazine) can often dry up your nose while treating your allergies. However, second-generation antihistamines (like cetirizine, fexofenadine, and loratadine) have fewer side effects (like drying) and are commonly used these days⁴. 
• Decongestants: While decongestants help you breathe easier, they can cause dryness of your nose in the long term. 
• Diuretics: Diuretics or water pills (prescribed for hypertension) may cause dehydration⁵. While not commonly associated with nasal dryness, this dehydration may indirectly and very rarely lead to a dry nose.  

When to See a Doctor?

While a dry nose can usually be managed at home, you should see a doctor if you notice any of the following signs:   

• Persistent Dry Nose: If your dry nose persists or gets worse even after taking corrective steps at home, you might want to see a doctor.  
• Severe or Frequent Nosebleeds: Regular or frequent nosebleeds might be a sign of a serious issue that needs immediate intervention.  
• Trouble Breathing: Having a hard time breathing, along with a dry nose, may point to an underlying issue like nasal obstruction or infection. Conditions like a deviated septum, nasal polyps, or chronic rhinitis are more likely to cause nasal blockage than dryness by itself. If the obstruction is persistent, worsening, or one-sided, it’s important to seek evaluation by an ENT specialist. 
• Possible Serious Health Problems: If you think another health issue, like Sjögren’s syndrome, might be the reason behind your dry nose, you need to see a doctor.  

Discussing these issues with your healthcare provider helps rule out serious causes and manage your dry nose better.  

Conclusion

Having a dry nose at night can be quite annoying. However, knowing what might cause it helps you manage it better. Making sure that you drink enough water, using a humidifier, and taking care of basic nasal hygiene may be helpful in managing a dry nose at home.  

However, you will need to keep an eye on your symptoms and consult your doctor if needed to enjoy good nasal health and peaceful sleep.  

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

References

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2. Anderson WH, Coakley RD, Button B, Henderson AG, Zeman KL, Alexis NE, Peden DB, Lazarowski ER, Davis CW, Bailey S, Fuller F, Almond M, Qaqish B, Bordonali E, Rubinstein M, Bennett WD, Kesimer M, Boucher RC. The Relationship of Mucus Concentration (Hydration) to Mucus Osmotic Pressure and Transport in Chronic Bronchitis. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2015 Jul 15;192(2):182-90. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4532825/ 
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5. Arumugham VB, Shahin MH. Therapeutic uses of diuretic agents [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; [updated 2023 May 29; cited 2025 Aug 1]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK557838/ 
6. Hildenbrand T, Weber RK, Brehmer D. Rhinitis sicca, dry nose and atrophic rhinitis: a review of the literature. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol. 2011 Jan;268(1):17-26. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20878413/ 
7. Pinto JM, Jeswani S. Rhinitis in the geriatric population. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2010 May 13;6(1):10. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2885381/ 
8. Naito K, Horibe S, Tanabe Y, Kato H, Yoshioka S, Tateya I. Objective assessment of nasal obstruction. Fujita Med J. 2023 May;9(2):53-64. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10206903/ 
9. Carsons SE, Patel BC. Sjogren syndrome [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; [updated 2023 Jul 31; cited 2025 Aug 1]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK431049/ 
10. Tabassom A, Dahlstrom JJ. Epistaxis [Internet]. StatPearls Publishing; [updated 2022 Sep 12; cited 2025 Aug 1]. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK435997/
11. Rabago D, Zgierska A. Saline nasal irrigation for upper respiratory conditions. Am Fam Physician. 2009 Nov 15;80(10):1117-9. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2778074/ 
12. Struß N, Badorrek P, Mattern C, Mattern U, Hohlfeld JM. The Effect of a Thixotropic Nasal Gel on Nasal Symptoms and Inflammatory Biomarkers in Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis. Int Arch Allergy Immunol. 2020;181(5):385-394. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32259823/ 
13. Cleveland Clinic. Atrophic rhinitis: Definition, causes & treatment [Internet]. Cleveland (OH): Cleveland Clinic; 2022 Apr 25 [cited 2025 Oct 15]. Available from: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22886-atrophic-rhinitis#management-and-treatment

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