Scabs inside the nose can be excessive mucus that dries up . Wounds and sores inside the nose can form crusts when healing.
- People who nosebleed often complain of frequent or recurring bloody boogers in their nostrils.
- Allergies can also produce small nasal wounds that won’t heal and become painful.
While mostly they are just a sign of staph infection, yellow and painful sores could mean the following causes:
Scabs inside nose may show as a symptom of some other infection in the nose. From being a sign of piercing infection to staph and even, (in rare cases) a sign of cancer, there are quite a number of problems that could mean you having those booger-like crusts that keep coming back for years.
- Those scabs mean you are reacting to climate changes (mostly winter).
- Trauma to the nose such as picking and pulling nasal hair out can lead to scars.
- The swelling of nasal glands and even a healing rhinoplasty can leave wounds on your septum.
They can appear as yellow, green or golden, but sometimes, they are bloody.
Causes
Why do I keep getting scabs in my nose? The lining of the nasal cavity is soft and delicate. Excessive pressure alone can make it uncomfortable to bear and can end up bleeding.
Most problems and conditions occur on the lining of the nose because of any trauma, infection or even change in climate.
Stuffy nose, colds and even head injuries appear to start showing some symptoms in the nose, including sores and small boils.
Sore scabs in the nose are often painful and cause a lot of discomfort. You can almost not touch them because they can bleed. Here are the causes:
1. Dry nasal passages
According to Dr. Michael Papesch of ENT Care, when the lining of the nose becomes dry especially at the front of your nose, it will lead to crusting. This is likely to cause crusty scabs. When the nose is dry, it should not be disturbed in any way.
- Avoid scratching and touching the nose often when you feel it is dry to prevent bleeding and forming crusts.
- To help heal a crusty nasal lining due to dryness, try hydrating your body by drinking adequate water and fluids to see if the problem clears away on its own.
2. Dry air and low humidity
Winter comes with dry air. As we have already seen, dryness in the nasal lining causes wounds and scars and sometimes nose bleeding.
During the winter months, the number of cases of scabby noses increases because the nasal lining is affected by lack of hydration or quick loss of moisture.
- If you have nasal sores and scabs every winter and are fine on the other days, then this is related to the low humidity and dry air that is contributing to loss of moisture.
- As a result, the lining of your nose will crack and bleed and eventually form those scab wounds.
3. Chronic rhinitis
Rhinitis can be allergic or non-allergic. In both, scabbing and thick, viscous mucus are listed as symptoms. Henriettes identifies drying crusts inside the nose as a symptom of atrophic rhinitis.
- As the mucous membrane thins out, the air passages continue to widen as the membrane becomes relaxed.
- There’s a secretion that smells bad and dries to form crusty sores.
- When you remove those scabs caused by rhinitis, you end up with an excoriated nasal surface and a reduced sense of smell.
4. Nose picking
Not only will nose picking cause scabs but also scars in nose. Picking is a way of scratching the inside lining of your nose. Picking damages the inside lining of the nose and forms wounds.
Chronic nose picking is a disorder that should be addressed as it can damage your nose completely.
- Nose picking scars or scar tissue are due to the healing process of the affected tissue.
- Sometimes, nasal adhesions are also a problem that arises from nose picking and may require surgical treatment for them to be removed.
5. Little white crusts up nose after rhinoplasty surgery
Deviated septum surgery, septoplasty and rhinoplasty can leave you with painful nasal sores and scabbing.
Little white sores in the nose are commonly associated nasal septoplasty or surgery to correct a deviated septum.
The size can also change to large ones – which can cause breathing problems. Do not pick your nose to get rid of scabs.
While small nose pimples and mild scabs are expected during the healing process after rhinoplasty and septoplasty or deviated septum surgery, you should see a doctor in case those crusts are large or if you have scabs in nose that keep getting bigger and a long time after the surgery took place.
6. Cold and sore throat
When scabs form after cold or from cold sores, they produce a symptom such as fluid filled sores. The fluid can become pus if infected. Cold sores and sore throat are both uncomfortable. Although cold sores are not caused by common cold, they usually occur just after or before this viral infection.
- Cold sores can form almost anywhere around the mouth and nose.
- When they form inside the nose, they can easily burst and form scabs when they dry up during the cold sore scabbing stage.
- Dried crusts can be painful when touched, but applying Vaseline can help moisturize or soften them to heal without much discomfort.
7. STDs and herpes
Could bloody boogers be a sign of nasal herpes? It is known that discomfort in the nose that is normally followed by blisters in the nose is a symptom of a viral infection such as herpes. This is an STD since the virus is transmitted through sexual contact.
Oral herpes transmitted through kissing could also show its symptoms in the nasal area, tingling sensations in the nose and formation of blisters that may be sore or very uncomfortable.
After some time, there may be crusting too and if untreated, yellow or green pus on the blisters may ooze.
8. Sinus infection and swollen glands
A minor infection in the nasal cavity can cause recurring scabs. When picked, scabs often become worse and start to bleed. That is why you are likely to end up with bloody scabs in nose.
Sinus infection, also called sinusitis occurs when there is swelling of the nasal passages or glands. During the swelling, the passages are “blocked and filled with fluid, germs (bacteria, viruses, and fungi) can grow and cause an infection.” [Source – WebMD.]
- NetDoctor recommends antiseptics as fast treatment for nasal scabbing from sinus infection and inflammation.
- An example is Naseptin.
- Antibiotics may also be administered if a patient is having big scabs that feel like wounds.
- However, to avoid the infection from coming back month after month, it is important to stop nasal picking forever.
9. Sunburn
Have you been sunbathing or spending a long time in the sun without wearing SPF? One of the symptoms of sunburn is a scab-like crust that may form on top of the nose or even at the base near the mouth.
Sunburn scabs will turn red, or develop from a swelling or sunburn blisters. This is however, when the sunburn is severe.
10. Nose piercing
Sometimes after nose piercing, you may experience a few honey-colored crusts in nose. These crusty wounds are due to the healing process of the piercing.
Think of the piercing hole as a wound. In order to heal, it must first bleed, and the blood will clot and form a small scar that will heal.
- Those nose piercing scabs will help the inside of the piercing to remain clean and prevent an infection that could develop into pus or even bleeding lesions.
If you see a scar around nose ring, just rinse the area well using clean water. You may also use a mild and unscented soap to clean the wound on top of the piercing and let it heal on its own.
However, if the scabs inside nose piercing that won’t go away on their own, or remain recurrent, there could be an infection. See a doctor for proper treatment and cleaning.
11. Nose bleeding
Bloody scabs in the nose are a common result of nose bleeding. Bleeding is common in children, but it also occurs in adults. When you experience brown crusts inside your nose, there could be mild bleeding.
- Blood clots, when removed, is a sign of minor bleeding from the cracked nasal lining.
- This usually happens when your nose is dry or during dry seasons such as winter.
- Picking is also a major cause of bleeding boogers.
In order to relieve bloody scabs in the nose, the doctor might prescribe topical antiseptics (e.g. Naseptin) and/or a full course of antibiotics.
However, if the problem of bloody scabbing does not go away with humidification and change of climate, you should see a doctor for treatment.
12. Sniffing coke
Abusing or sniffing drugs such as cocaine or coke can also cause symptoms such as crusty scabbing in the nostril.
According to the Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, cocaine as an abused drug constricts the blood vessels in the nose. The website goes ahead to note that patients may be suspected of using it illicitly if they present symptoms such as:
- Crusting inside the nose
- Frequent nosebleeds
- Crusty sores
Other drugs may also be among other causes of scabs in nose. These include the overuse of medications such as anti-histamines and nasal sprays.
Crusting from Accutane are common since the drug is used to treat nodular acne that is quite common in the nostril.
13. Lupus and impetigo
If you have a scab on nose or on the top of your nose, it could mean chronic illness such as impetigo. Impetigo, as defined by Kids Health, is a skin infection that produces blisters and sores on the skin around the nose, neck, face, hands and even diaper area.
It is possible that your child could be suffering from impetigo if they show such a symptom around the nostrils.
Lupus on the other hand is commonly associated with scabs in ear and nose too. The Lupus Site reports that mouth ulcers and blisters are common symptoms of lupus.
When you get sores in nose from lupus, your doctor can prescribe treatment such as Vaseline cream, nasal sprays or steroid paste. [Source – TheLupusSite.com]
14. Hay fever
ENT Care notes that hay fever is an irritant that causes wounds inside the nose. Being an allergy, it causes inflammation on the nasal lining. Symptoms of hay fever include the following:
- Lesions
- Itchy throat
- Itchy eyes and
- A runny nose
In order to prevent scabs in nose because of hay fever, avoid allergens such as pollen, dust mites in the house, molds and even some pets if they are the host of the allergen that is causing the problem.
15. Smoking
Smoking is commonly associated with wounds in nose, sore scabs, bleeding nose and swelling. Scars that hurt and won’t go away are due to the injuries or bruises caused by continued smoking.
One fact that Health 24 states is that “All smokers have a nose infection.” As we have already seen, scabbing in the nostril are a sign of inflammation from nasal infections, both viral and bacterial.
- Swelling nose from the inside can be a sign of inflammation caused by smoking, and is likely to be accompanied by anterior crusting.
16. Allergies
Allergens may inflame the nasal lining and cause it to have scabs, sores and wounds. Too much sneezing every morning can lead to rupturing of the nasal capillaries and cause bleeding and sores in the nose. As a result you will always wake up with bloody boogers every morning.
- Try to avoid allergens such as pollen and fur
- See a doctor for allergy treatment
17. Cancer
Bumps inside the nose may be a sign of cancer. Normally, lesions that won’t go away after a long time are commonly associated with cancerous growths in the nose.
If you keep having these recurring sores, a biopsy of your nasal tissues should be done in order to determine if it is a cancerous crust in your nose.
18. HIV/AIDs
Sinusitis and rhinitis can both result from HIV infections. These two conditions are well known to cause nasal sores and lesions that don’t heal quickly.
With these conditions, you may also experience persistent post-nasal drip, headaches and discomfort behind the eyes. Eye infections may also accompany the scabs within the nose.
It won’t heal or go away
There are a number of reasons for scabs in nose that won’t heal. Whether chronic bacterial infections or possible cancerous growths, it is important that you see an ENT for proper diagnosis and treatment of the sores in nose that won’t go away. Here are the reasons for those scabs that won’t heal and remain constant in the nose.
- Continuous nose picking is likely to cause a scab in the nose that will refuse to go away. If you have the temptation to peel the scab off the nose, then you are likely to cause even larger or bigger scabbing.
- Cancerous growths normally don’t heal fast unless excised. They are likely to cause scabs in the nose that keep coming back.
- Staph A infections, also called Staphylococcus aureus infections have symptoms such as boils and recurring scabs for weeks and even for years. Persistent scabbing occurs because of the bacterium living on your skin getting into the nose from dirty fingernails and also picking of the nose.
Scab inside nose
Wounds in your nose can occur almost anywhere.
The corner of nose, tip, the outside skin and inside, right at the back can get wounds depending on the cause.
When outside and on the tip of the nostril, it is likely that you are getting cold sores.
Painful scabs
A painful sore or scab around the nostril area can be uncomfortable. Mostly, these happen when peeled off with fingernails.
Even if it is too painful or hurts too much, peeling nasal scabs will not help them heal. Instead, they will be irritated and make them slow to heal.
Scabs that hurt inside nose should be cleaned well to aid the healing process. A saline nasal spray can also help moisten the scab and make healing fast. It will also help you relieve the pain or discomfort that comes from the hurting sore.
How to get rid of scabs in your nose
Medications such as topical antibiotics as well as home remedies can help treat and get rid of scabs inside the nose. Vaseline and saline sprays or washes have also been said to be successful as cures. Below are some of the ways to heal scabs in the nose both naturally and using medical interventions.
How to heal scabs in nose fast
Natural cures and home remedies can help heal those sores and scabs but only if they are not caused by bacterial infections such as Staph A, or chronic allergic reactions such rhinitis and sinusitis. Here are home remedies to help you cure nasal scabs naturally.
- Vaseline: Apply Vaseline on the scabby wounds. Petroleum jelly keeps the sore moisturized to prevent it from hardening. As the wound beneath heals, the scab should be able to fall off on its own.
- Run a humidifier at night: Normally, the humidity becomes low at night especially in winter. During this time, the air is drier and causes these scabs. This will keep your nostril moist and prevent the scabs.
- Avoid blowing the nose so hard when you have a flu because this can burst small sores and worsen the scabs.
- Avoid picking the nose: Picking your nose always causes injuries that form into scabs. If you already have them in your nose, avoid disturbing them to help them heal naturally and faster.
Treatment and medication
Topical treatments, antibiotics and nasal sprays may be used to treat the sores and crusty wounds. However, you should not try putting nasal sprays in your nose especially if it is bleeding or showing signs of wounding. Nonetheless, here are some treatments used to get rid of nose scabs.
- Cauterization: When the scabs won’t go away easily, your doctor may decide to use cauterization to stimulate the growth of new cells and do away with the scab. This is only done when the scab does not heal after antibiotic treatment and saline sprays.
- Saline sprays: The purpose of these treatments is to keep your nose moist and prevent further worsening or growing of scabs.
- Topical antibiotic ointments such as Neosporin and bacitracin will also help heal any bacterial infection that is causing the problem.
- Ponaris oil may also be prescribed by your practitioner as a home treatment for nasal scabs.
- Topical antiseptics may also be prescribed by your ENT to help heal your nose after rhinoplasty or septoplasty. An example of a commonly used antiseptic reliever is Naseptin.
- Treat the allergens causing the scabs inside and up the nose. If the problem is recurrent because of allergic reactions, your doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory treatments and medications for allergy to help relieve painful scabs in your nose.
All in all, try to find a way on how to loosen scabs in your nose so that the skin beneath them can heal faster and the boogers go away on their own.
