I’m a surgeon – here are 6 reasons nose scabbing could be a sign of something dangerous
EVER have those annoying scabs inside your nose?
A sudden change in the weather, allergies or a virus can damage or irritate the sensitive skin in the nose, causing sores - and in some cases bleeding.
And despite being rather painful, they are usually nothing to worry about.
But in some cases, a sore inside the nose can indicate an underlying health problem.
Dr Samit Unadkat, consultant rhinologist at explains what a crusty nose could be a sign of:
1. Nasal polyps
Nasal polyps are painless soft growths inside your nose.
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They're not usually serious but are frequently associated with a loss of sense of smell, Dr Samit tells The Sun.
They can keep growing and block your nose if not treated.
2. Nasal cancers
Nasal and sinus cancer is rare in the UK, and only around 460 cases are diagnosed each year.
"The cancers are associated with watery eyes, toothache, facial pain or numbness, one sided hearing loss and the nasal crusting can be blood stained," the expert explains.
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"Patients who work with hardwood, the dye industry, chrome plating and leather tanning are at higher risk of nasal cancers."
3. Cocaine misuse
A cocaine addict's nose may suffer many problems, ranging from nosebleeds to life-threatening infections.
And in some cases a hole (known as a septal perforation) develops.
"A hallmark feature of this type of perforation is blood stained nasal crusting," Dr Samit says.
"Cocaine and its cutting agents can be very destructive to the nose and can lead to complete breakdown of the nasal skeleton and skin," he added.
4. Inflammatory conditions
Nasal crusting can be an early symptom of inflammatory illnesses, Dr Samit said.
It can alert doctors to granulomatosis, which affects the blood vessels, eosinophilic, an immune disorder and sarcoidosis, which affects the lungs.
"The perforations can become crusty due to turbulent flow of air through the nose.
"In addition, each of these serious conditions can affect the kidneys and the lungs.
"They frequently require long term immunosuppressive treatment, such as with steroids or other drugs."
Dr Samit says most treatment plans for nasal scabs will be straightforward.
"Often it will be simple solutions such as nasal irrigation and nasal steroids or nasal creams," he explains.
"But if a more serious condition is identified then biopsies, surgery or immunosuppression may be necessary," he adds.
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The expert said that in many cases, a scabby nose can be caused by something as harmless as overusing nasal decongestants.
"Most decongestants are available over the counter without prescription but overuse, beyond one week at a time, can lead to crusting in the nose," he says.