Nasal dryness is a common and often uncomfortable condition affecting both the external nasal skin and the nasal mucosa. It is characterised by rough, scaly and reddened skin around the nose, along with feelings of tightness, mild itching and dryness inside the nostrils. This dryness can be caused by a variety of factors, such as cold or windy weather, excessive use of tissues during colds, skin allergies, overexposure to the sun, dehydration, or skin conditions such as perioral dermatitis, rosacea, eczema or psoriasis.
Dryness of the nasal mucosa can be caused by air conditioning, heating, side effects of medication and underlying conditions such as chronic rhinitis or Sjögren's syndrome. Without proper care, dryness in these areas can last for weeks or even months, leading to secondary skin infections and significant discomfort such as nasal crusting and occasional nosebleeds.
Dry skin or xerosis is a very common condition in the general population, occurring at all ages, sexes and ethnicities. The nasal skin area is particularly prone to this condition, as its thinner and more sensitive nature means that it can cope with external aggressions less strongly than other areas of the skin. In addition, due to its location, nasal skin is one of the few areas of the body in continuous contact with environmental conditions, which are considered to be one of the main causes of dry skin.
Nasal xerosis is mainly characterised by the presence around the nose and mouth of rough, scaly and often itchy skin that has lost its normal mechanical properties. In addition, the perinasal area suffering from xerosis is often reddened and feels uncomfortably tight.
At the cellular level, nasal xerosis can be explained by a decrease in the water content of the stratum corneum, which affects normal skin desquamation and leads to adhesion and accumulation of corneocytes on the skin surface. The macroscopic consequence of this abnormal skin renewal is the visible appearance of dryness, roughness and desquamation. Together, these epidermal conditions cause itching, which leads to scratching and further aggravates the disruption of the stratum corneum.
If left untreated, nasal xerosis can lead to complications such as tears or cracks in the affected tissue, increasing the entry of allergens, microbes or toxic substances that induce tissue inflammation. In addition, the deficiency in protection against exogenous elements can also lead to secondary bacterial skin infection. It is important to treat nasal xerosis to improve the sensation of dryness and itching as well as the appearance of the skin.
BIBLIOGRAPHY: