A common cold, which is otherwise referred to as rhinitis, can have various causes and symptoms. Most often, it is accompanied by sneezing, itching and nasal congestion, secretion. Sometimes its atypical form occurs - a dry runny nose. In this case, there is no discharge from the nose, and the person feels very dry. It is caused by atrophy of the mucous membranes. The treatment differs from that with ordinary rhinitis, but it also requires a competent approach.
Features of the disease
Dry runny nose is a chronic pathology. During its development, drying out and subsequent atrophy of the nasal mucosa is observed. Only the initial parts of the nasal cavity are covered by the pathological process. It always proceeds for a long time. Having arisen once, a runny nose is left without proper attention, therefore it often becomes chronic.
The disease requires timely and adequate treatment. With a long course, it can provoke the appearance of ulcers and erosion on the nasal septum. Severe consequences are also found in young children, since up to two years they have not yet fully developed the functioning of the respiratory tract. However, pathology in children is rare. Most often, it affects older people, especially the stronger sex.
Types of Dry Rhinitis
There are 2 types of this disease:
- Front rhinitis. It occurs with inflammation of only the anterior nasal cavity. The main reason is mechanical damage to the mucosa, exposure to chemicals. The formation of greenish crusts is characterized.
- Atrophic rhinitis. This is a chronic form of the disease, which is characterized by a decrease in the mucosa or its complete atrophy. Discharge from the nose is present and has an unpleasant odor.
In medical practice, the first variant of the pathology is most often found. Atrophic rhinitis is rarely diagnosed, but always entails irreversible consequences.
Main reasons
Dry runny nose in adults is usually the result of previous interventions on the turbinates or injuries. Often it is found in people working in the chemical industry. Cement, lime, ammonia and other substances irritate the respiratory tract.
Among other common causes of the disease, the following can be distinguished:
- a sharp change in climate, for example, when moving to another country for permanent residence;
- prolonged course of infectious rhinitis with frequent cases of exacerbation;
- accommodation near highways, factories and factories;
- vitamin D deficiency;
- hormonal imbalance;
- smoking, alcoholism, drug addiction;
- rough blowing.
These factors contribute to the drying of the nasal concha. Minor damage leads to the appearance of a surface defect and its subsequent scarring.
Clinical picture
Determining the causes of nasal congestion without a runny nose and treatment cause difficulties among ENT specialists. Symptoms of dry rhinitis are atypical enough, which often causes problems with the diagnosis. Its main manifestations are the following:
- a feeling of overcrowding and tension in the nasal passages;
- a change in the timbre of the voice, the appearance of nasal;
- lack of smell;
- inflammation of the mucosa with the subsequent appearance of microcracks and crusts on them;
- nosebleeds;
- pain in the forehead, weakness, impaired concentration;
- constant thirst.
If you ignore the symptoms of the disease, it can progress. At first, thick mucus appears, which is accompanied by a persistent desire to blow his nose. However, each attempt fails, and the discomfort persists. When the patient makes an effort, blood stains may appear on the napkin. As a result of endless attempts, complete bleeding opens.
In some cases, the mucous membrane of the organs of vision dries. The patient is constantly worried about the feeling of a foreign object in his eyes, fatigue quickly sets in.
Dry rhinitis in children
Dry runny nose in a child can occur due to exposure to allergens and inferior immune systems. The latter is not able to protect the body from infections.
To prescribe treatment, parents must contact a pediatrician with the baby. Usually use means for washing the nose, nourishing and moisturizing the mucous membrane. Antibacterial and antihistamines are used in extreme cases. Physiotherapy is also prescribed infrequently, and performed strictly under the supervision of a physician. Self-treatment is unacceptable. This can aggravate the course of the pathological process and provoke the development of complications.
Diagnostic Methods
To determine the cause of nasal congestion without a runny nose and treatment, you need to contact the otolaryngologist. The doctor examines the patient's complaints and medical history, and only then proceeds directly to the diagnosis. First, an examination of the nasal cavity is performed and rhinoscopy is performed. This procedure allows you to assess the condition of the nasal passages and mucous membranes, to identify the presence of an inflammatory process.
In some cases, MRI and sinus x-rays are required. In addition, the otolaryngologist always prescribes blood and urine tests, scraping for backseeding.
Treatment methods
What to do with dry nose? The treatment of the disease is carried out in two directions. First you need to get rid of its root cause (chronic infection, taking hormonal drugs, contact with chemicals). The second stage is the inhibition of atrophic processes. For this purpose, use medications, various physiotherapy. Alternative methods of eliminating the problem are sometimes acceptable, but only after consultation with the doctor.
Using pharmacy products
An otolaryngologist selects a treatment plan for a dry cold. The doctor also determines the dosage of the drugs and the duration of their intake.
To stop the inflammatory process using:
- Antiseptic sprays (Bioparox, Isofra), local or general antibiotics (Sinuforte, Augmentin) for bacterial infections.
- Meat-based medicines (Pinosol). They well relieve inflammation and prevent the mucous membrane from drying out.
- Antihistamines (Suprastin, Cetrizin). They are used in case of severe itching and swelling.
- Corticosteroid drugs (Polydex, Amavis). Effective with a stable inflammatory process, but with prolonged use can be addictive.
The atrophic version of the common cold requires a different therapeutic approach. For irrigation of the mucous membrane and maintaining its moisture artificially used sprays based on sea water ("Marimer", "Salin"). It is mandatory to rinse with an alkaline solution to facilitate the discharge of dry nozzles and crusts. To prepare it, you need to dilute a teaspoon of baking soda in a glass of saline. If with dry rhinitis the nasal mucosa is bleeding, the Solcoseryl gel is prescribed. It accelerates the process of tissue regeneration and promotes their healing.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
To activate the work of the mucous glands in order to better moisturize and prevent the formation of mucus clots, physiotherapy is prescribed. As a rule, these are inhalations using special oils and solutions (Lugol, Rotokan). Also used is the warming of the nose with the installation with infrared radiation.
Help traditional medicine
Treatment of dry rhinitis at home is possible as an addition to the main course of therapy. The simplest means are various oils (olive, menthol, sea buckthorn). A cotton pad moistened with a medium is used to treat the nasal passages. A positive result becomes noticeable after a few days.
There are more labor-intensive recipes, characterized by high efficiency.
- Drops of chamomile, calendula and nettle. A tablespoon of a mixture of dry herbs must be poured with a glass of boiling water, insisted in a warm place for about two hours. After the liquid should be filtered. Apply the drug with a pipette, instilling 5 drops into each nostril.
- Flushing the nasal cavity. For this procedure, you can use both ordinary saline solutions, and tinctures of eucalyptus and calendula. In some cases, ordinary mineral water is used. No more than five repetitions per day are sufficient.
- Aloe-based drops. Freshly squeezed juice of this plant moisturizes the mucosa well. With caution, it should be used to treat children.
- Instillation of ephedra juice or St. John's wort tincture in the nose. The procedure is repeated no more than three times a day. The use of ephedra is limited to a short period due to the pronounced effect of vasoconstriction.
Can I take a bath with dry rhinitis? Many patients ask this question, since the procedure naturally helps soften the crusts in the nose and moisturize the mucosa. This tool is effective in case of hypothermia. However, it is better to refuse the procedure in case of temperature increase. Mustard powder or soda in small quantities can be added to the bath.
Features of treating children
The formation of dry crusts in the nose in children causes a lot of problems. They are constantly trying to pick them up, which is why the mucous membrane bleeds. If the baby is very small, but simply very naughty. When a child stuffs his nose without a runny nose, parents try in various ways to help him. First of all, they begin treatment with ordinary drops, which only worsens the condition of the mucosa. Doctors advise:
- moisturize the nasal passages with oil solutions;
- if necessary, use decongestants ("Tavegil", "Suprastin");
- using a cotton swab and liquid paraffin, soften the crusts and remove them from the nose.
When the disease is accompanied by the addition of a bacterial infection, the doctor prescribes antibiotics. It is a specialist who can choose specific medicines and their dosage. You can not self-medicate.
Possible complications
Dry runny nose can be almost asymptomatic. However, the disease is unpleasant with its complications. First of all, the sense of smell is muffled, and then taste sensations. Over time, the dry mucosa becomes susceptible to pathogenic flora. Therefore, against the background of a runny nose, viral or bacterial infections can occur.
If the disease is not treated, its acute form can transform into a chronic one. This entails an almost complete loss of smell, decay of the cartilage and deformation of the nose. Correcting the situation is possible only through surgical intervention.
Prevention Methods
In order to avoid dry rhinitis, it is necessary to adhere to fairly simple preventive measures. Doctors recommend:
- humidify the air in the living room;
- periodically ventilate the rooms, more often to be in the fresh air;
- Do not run a common cold.
An important stage of prevention is considered measures to strengthen the immune system, so that the body has the opportunity to independently overcome the disease. For this purpose, it is recommended to periodically conduct hardening sessions, to avoid hypothermia and overheating. Exercising and exercising well helps a fragile child's body to resist viruses and infections.
If your nose is blocked without a cold, you should immediately seek the advice of an otolaryngologist or therapist. In addition to the high probability of complications, the disease significantly worsens the overall well-being of a person. The patient is constantly experiencing discomfort due to burning and dry mucous membranes. To ignore the disease is not permissible.