Itching, decreased sense of smell, burning and nasal congestion are symptoms of drying out of the nasopharyngeal mucosa. The causes of dryness in the nose lie in the influence of unfavorable endogenous or exogenous factors. Often, insufficient moisture in the mucous membranes in the respiratory tract occurs against the background of infectious and non-infectious diseases. Untimely identification of pathologies is fraught with deterioration in health and the development of formidable complications.
The nasopharynx is covered from the inside with ciliated epithelium, the surface of which is constantly moistened with mucus produced by goblet exocrinocytes - unicellular glands. A decrease in their activity leads to a decrease in the amount of mucin in the body, which is the main component of mucus. Drying out of the mucous membrane leads to the formation of cracks on the inner surface of the nasopharynx and, as a result, bleeding.
Causes of dry nose
Why does the nose dry? Goblet cell hypofunction is the key cause of drying out of the nasopharyngeal mucosa. Both external and internal unfavorable factors can affect the work of the unicellular glands and the rate of mucus production. If the pathological symptoms persist within 7-10 days, you need to seek help from an otolaryngologist.
Mucus not only moisturizes the ciliated epithelium, but also performs a protective function in the body. It contains protective cells that destroy pathogens that penetrate the ENT organs. Thanks to the continuous operation of the mucociliary apparatus, allergens, dust particles, viruses, bacteria and other foreign agents are removed from the nasopharynx along with mucus.
Drying out of the mucous membrane entails a decrease in local immunity, as a result of which the likelihood of developing an infection in the respiratory organs increases.
Exogenous factors
Most often, the causes of dryness in the nose lie in the negative effects of external factors. If the "provocateur" of pathological processes is not identified and eliminated in time, this will eventually lead to the development of diseases. The most common exogenous causes of nasopharyngeal dryness include:
Unfavorable environmental conditions
People who live in dry climates most often complain about insufficient moisture in the nasal mucosa. If the air humidity does not exceed 50%, over time this negatively affects the work of goblet exocrinocytes. Hyposecretion of a viscous secretion leads to dehydration of the ciliated epithelium and, as a result, the occurrence of discomfort.
It should be noted that air humidity drops not only in summer, but also in winter. As a rule, in case of severe frost outside, the air humidity does not exceed 40%. Once in a warm room, a person exposes his mucous membrane to even greater tests. Central heating and air conditioning simply eat up the moisture in the air, which inevitably leads to irritation of the nasopharyngeal mucosa. Therefore, to humidify the air, you can use special humidifiers or hang wet towels in the room. Now more about the unfavorable factors.
Harmful work
Work in hazardous work is one of the most common causes of dysfunction of the goblet cells. If at the workplace you constantly have to inhale dust, fumes of chemicals and polymeric materials, over time this will lead to the destruction of unicellular glands and a decrease in the amount of liquid secretion on the inner surface of the nasopharynx.
Wearing a respirator and periodically flushing the nasopharynx with isotonic solutions reduces the risk of developing diseases by 45%.
Failure to comply with safety measures in hazardous industries often becomes the cause of the development of serious pathologies. The mucus in the nose literally captures particles of dust and other harmful substances, which prevents them from penetrating into the lower respiratory tract. The absence of mucus disrupts the filtration system existing in the nasopharynx, which subsequently leads to inflammation of the ENT organs and even the development of cancer.
Drug reactions
Quite often, the nasal mucosa dries up as a result of irrational use of drugs. It should be understood that medicines contain synthetic substances that tend to accumulate in the body. An excess of them negatively affects the work of the detoxification organs (liver, kidneys) and the respiratory system. Typically, dry nose occurs when the following medications are abused:
- vasoconstrictor nasal drops;
- antihistamines;
- corticosteroid drugs.
Many people with chronic rhinitis do not part with vasoconstrictor drops and sprays for years. The composition of the drugs includes atropine and its derivatives, which inhibit the activity of the goblet cells. If you use vasoconstrictor drops for more than 10-15 days in a row, this will subsequently lead to atrophy of the unicellular glands and dehydration of the nasopharynx.
Endogenous factors
Decreased olfactory function, dry nasal mucosa, nasal breathing and sneezing can be a manifestation of an internal disease. Untreated colds, rhinitis, as well as chronic inflammation in the nasopharynx can provoke the development of pathology. As a rule, dryness in the nose accompanies the development of the following diseases:
Hypertrophic rhinitis
Hypertrophic rhinitis is an inflammation of the nasopharynx followed by thickening of its mucous membrane. Hyperplasia (proliferation) of tissues leads to disruption of the structure of the glandular tissue in which the goblet cells are located. Untimely treatment of the disease entails damage to blood vessels and ciliated epithelium and, as a result, drying out of the mucous membrane. Hypertrophic rhinitis can be provoked by:
- hormonal imbalance;
- allergic rhinitis;
- frequent infection of the ENT organs;
- dysfunction of the thyroid gland;
- unfavorable ecological situation.
Mucosal hypertrophy can result from the abuse of vasoconstrictor drugs.
If discomfort in the nose is accompanied by congestion, a feeling of a foreign object in the nasopharynx, nasal voice and snoring, it is necessary to be examined by an otolaryngologist. Treatment of hypertrophic rhinitis in the late stages of development involves the use of minimally invasive operations - laser destruction, vasotomy of submucosal tissues, etc.
Atrophic rhinitis
Atrophic rhinitis is inflammation of the nasopharynx, accompanied by thinning (atrophy) of the ciliated epithelium. In the initial stages of the development of the disease, patients complain of dryness in the nose and the formation of crusts on the inner surface of the nasal passages. In the future, destruction of soft tissues is observed, as evidenced by the appearance of a fetid odor from the mouth. Cracks form in the dry mucosa, as a result of which the patient periodically experiences nosebleeds.
The reasons for the development of atrophic rhinitis are:
- hypovitaminosis;
- Iron-deficiency anemia;
- frequent relapses of acute respiratory infections;
- work in hazardous production;
- unfavorable ecology;
- endocrine and autoimmune disorders.
Important! Over time, atrophy reaches the olfactory receptors, resulting in partial or complete loss of smell.
Rhinoscleroma (nasal scleroma)
Nasal scleroma is an infectious disease characterized by the formation of dense infiltrates in the nasopharyngeal mucosa. The disease begins with the appearance of a liquid secretion from the nose, which has an unpleasant, pungent odor.Over time, the mucus thickens and forms hard crusts on the inside of the nose.
Inadequate treatment of rhinoscleroma is fraught with damage to the back wall of the throat, trachea, gums, larynx and corners of the eyes.
The provocateur of the pathological process in the nose is the Frisch stick, which is introduced into the epithelial cells and eventually leads to the appearance of infiltrates. If the inflammatory process is not stopped in time, adhesions from connective tissue are formed at the site of infiltrates, which can only be removed surgically.
Sjogren's Syndrome
This is a severe autoimmune disease that is characterized by damage to the exocrine glands, especially the lacrimal and nasal glands. The autoimmune process leads to destruction (apoptosis) of the goblet cells and damage to the glandular tissues in the nasopharynx. As a consequence, this leads to dehydration of the ciliated epithelium and the appearance of a feeling of dryness in the nasal passages.
The development of the disease is often accompanied by:
- pain in the eyes;
- crusting in the nose;
- dry mouth;
- Raynaud's syndrome;
- violation of the swallowing reflex.
Unfortunately, to date, there is no specific treatment for Sjogren's syndrome. However, with the timely detection of pathology, patients are provided with supportive symptomatic assistance, which prevents the progression of the autoimmune process.
Dry nose in pregnant women and children
According to statistics, more than 30% of women during pregnancy are faced with dry nasal mucosa. The main cause of the problem is hormonal imbalance. As a rule, drying out of the nasopharynx occurs due to dysfunction of the glands of external secretion, which include goblet exocrinocytes. To alleviate the condition and prevent the development of diseases, it is recommended to humidify the air in the room and irrigate the mucous membrane with isotonic drugs, for example, saline, at least 1 time per day.
In infants, dry nasal mucosa is associated with low room humidity. Inhalation of too dry air leads to irritation of the nasopharynx and the formation of dry crusts in the nose. Because of this, the baby becomes restless, constantly wrinkles his nose, is capricious and does not sleep well. You can restore the function of the submucosal layer in the nasopharynx with the help of special moisturizing drops:
- "Aqualor baby";
- Physiomer;
- "Marimer";
- Otrivin baby;
- Salin.
As drugs for small children and pregnant women, you can use saline and mineral water without gas.
In order to moisturize the mucous membrane in the paranasal sinuses, it is recommended to inhale with a nebulizer.
Conclusion
Dryness of the nasal mucosa is an abnormal condition that can subsequently lead to serious illness. Insufficient hydration of the nasopharynx is associated with dysfunction of the unicellular glands, which are located in the ciliated epithelium. Malfunctions in the work of the submucosal layer occur due to the influence of external and internal unfavorable factors.
In most cases, dryness in the nose appears due to the inhalation of dry air, vapors of chemicals and polymeric materials. If nasal discomfort is accompanied by nasal congestion, decreased sense of smell or itching, this may indicate the development of hypertrophic and atrophic rhinitis, nasal scleroma, Sjogren's syndrome, diabetes mellitus, etc.
A common cause of dryness of the nasopharynx is inappropriate use of medications. In particular, vasoconstrictor drops and antihistamines negatively affect the water-salt balance and the functioning of the mucociliary apparatus. To avoid complications, it is recommended to take medications only as prescribed by a doctor and in the dosages recommended by him.
