Sores in the nose can be caused by allergies, rhinitis, or frequent and prolonged used of nasal sprays. These sores can cause scant nasal bleeding and dryness within the nostrils. Scabs often appear due to mild condition, and are usually not serious as they are relatively easy to treat.

If your sores in the nose are painful or bleeding excessively, however, they may be a sign of a more serious condition, like an infection, sinusitis or cancer.

If you notice sores or wounds in the nose that do not improve with time, or if these sores frequently emerge, you should see a doctor for assessment and treatment, which will depend on the underlying cause of the sores.

What causes nose sores?

Sores in the nose can appear for the following reasons:

1. Dry environments

Changes to climate, especially during winter when the air is dryer, can lead to the formation of sores within the nose. You may also notice that the skin on your face and lips is dry and peeling.

How to treat: It is important to ensure adequate levels of humidity in your home. You can do this by using a humidifier. You should also drink plenty of water throughout the day to ensure hydration.

2. Prolonged use of nasal sprays

Using nasal decongestant sprays for prolonged periods can dry out the nasal airways and lead to the formation of sores. Overuse may also have a rebound effect, in which the body produces even more nasal secretions. This may increase inflammation in the nasal tissue.

How to treat: You should ideally only use medicated nasal sprays for up to 5 days. You can swap these for natural, hypertonic saline solutions, which are hypertonic and often made with sea water.

3. Scratches

Scratches within the nose can be caused by a domestic pet, such as a cat or dog, and can cause wounds in the nostrils that dry and create scabs.

How to treat: You are advised to keep the area clean by applying saline or soap and water using a cotton swab. Then be sure to let it dry and avoid touching it to promote prompt healing.

4. Sinusitis

Sinusitis is an inflammation of the nasal sinuses that is associated with symptoms such as headache, runny nose and a feeling of facial pressure.

Excessive nasal discharge caused by this disease can cause irritation of the nasal passages and the formation of wounds inside the nostrils.

How to treat: it is important to see a doctor if you have sinusitis, so that treatment can be indicated as appropriate. The doctor may prescribe sinusitis medication such as antibiotics, expectorants, descongestants and/or anti-inflammatory medications.

Check-out the natural treatment for sinusitis that you can add to your prescribed medical treatment.

5. Allergies

Allergies are one the most common causes of inflammation within the nasal airways. They can be triggered following contact with animal fur, dust or pollen, for example, and can make the nasal tissue lining more fragile and susceptible to the formation of sores. Blowing your nose constantly can also irritate the skin around and within the nose, which can lead to dry skin and scabs.

How to treat: You should identify the underlying trigger causing the allergy so that it can be avoided. Anti-histamines, as prescribed by a doctor, can help to relieve symptoms, as well as adequate fluid intake. Performing vapor inhalations and staying in humid environments can also help to keep the nose skin hydrated, preventing further sores from appearing.

6. Irritating chemicals

Some chemicals, like abrasive cleaning products, industrial chemicals or cigarette smoke, can also irritate the nose and cause sores. In most cases, contact with chemicals can also respiratory symptoms, like coughing and difficulty breathing.

How to treat: In this case, it is important to avoid contact with irritating substances and to keep the nose skin as hydrated as possible. If you are having difficulty breathing, you should seek medical attention immediately to initiate treatment.

7. Weak capillaries

Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels in our body and, when they weaken, they become very fragile and can rupture. This ca lead to small bleeding points on the skin or injuries to different parts of the body, such as the nose.

Furthermore, weak capillaries can also cause purple spots, or bruises, on the skin. Read more about what can cause easy bruising.

How to treat: it is important to consult a general practitioner to try to determine what is causing the weak capillaries, as it may be associated with a vitamin C deficiency or another condition.

8. Pimples

Sores in the nose can also appear due to the emergence of pimples. Pimples form due to inflammation and infection of a hair follicle, which can cause pain and a pus discharge.

How to treat: Avoiding popping or squeezing the pimple, as this can lead to infection and cause further sores. To get rid of a pimple, you should keep the area clean and hydrated. You can use products as recommended by a dermatologist, like pimple cream or drying gel.

9. Injuries

Mild injuries, like rubbing, scratching or hitting the nose can damage the delicate skin within the nostril. This can lead to bleeding and the formation of scabs. Small children tend to insert small objects into their nose, which may also result in bleeding.

How to treat: It is important to treat the injury and wounds to prevent injection. Sores should be kept clean with water and a mild soap, and you should avoid picking at scabs to promote adequate healing.

10. Drug use

Inhaling drugs like cocaine or poppers can cause bleeding and serious injury to the internal nose. These drugs can dry out the mucosa, which can lead to sores that are difficult to heal.

How to treat: Drug use should be avoided and the internal nasal skin should be kept hydrated by drinking plenty of water and using a humidifier.

11. Piercing

In addition to the injury to the nose caused by the piercing itself, any friction or pulling at the piercing site can also cause wounds or injuries to the nose.

Learn more about the symptoms of an infected piercing and the care needed to treat one.

How to treat: after getting your nose pierced, it is normal for the area to be sore. It is important to keep the area clean and dry, as there is a greater risk of infection during the first month. After that, you should avoid touching the piercing too much and be careful with any friction to avoid injuring the surrounding tissue.

12. HIV infection

HIV infections can cause sinusitis and rhinitis, which are illnesses associated with swelling within the nasal airways. HIV can also cause painful scabs in side the nose that bleed and take a long time to heal. Some common wounds associated with HIV are nasal septal abscesses, herpes ulcers and Kaposi sarcomas.

Learn more about the initial symptoms of HIV infections and how they are treated.

How to treat: Is it important for HIV infection treatment to be monitored by a doctor. Treatment is aimed in keeping the virus in regression, inhibiting multiplication of the virus, and managing symptoms. The doctor may prescribe a cocktail of antivirals to achieve these outcomes.

13. Herpes

The Herpes simplex virus can lead to the appearance of sores on the inside and outside of the nose. Herpes sores usually look like small fluid-filled blisters, that release a clear liquid when ruptured. When it spreads, the liquid can transmit the virus to other parts of the body, resulting in herpes blisters in other parts of the body.

How to treat: You should avoid rupturing and even touching these blisters. You can see a doctor for treatment, which usually involves the use of oral or topical antivirals. Read more about the cold sore medicine your doctor may prescribe.

14. Non-bullous impetigo

Non-bullous impetigo is an infection caused by bacteria like Streptococcus pyogenes ou Staphylococcus aureus. This infection leads to small sores on the skin that contain pus and crust over to a yellow or golden color. These scabs can appear on the nose and around the lips. Non-bullous impetigo is most common in children and patients with an compromised immune system.

How to treat: If you notice signs of non-bullous impetigo, you should see a dermatologist for assessment to start appropriate treatment. The doctor may prescribe topical antibiotics.

15. Cancer

Sores in the nasal cavity that are persistent, do not heal and do not respond to treatment may be a sign of cancer. Malignant nasal sores will usually also bleed and cause a runny nose, facial tingling or pressure within the ears.

Learn more about general signs and symptoms of cancer that can emerge with many types.

How to treat: It is important for a family doctor to assess your symptoms and order testing to confirm a diagnosis. If cancer is present, treatment will depend on the characteristics of the cancer cells, the location it was found and the age of the patient. Treatment may include the use of medications and/or chemotherapy, radiation therapy and surgery.