Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow Common Is It?What Causes It?Other ExplanationsTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How Common Is It?
What Causes It?
Other Explanations
Treatment
A burning nose sensation can occur withCOVID-19, though it is not as common or well-known as otherCOVID symptoms. When it does occur, it can cause a heat-like sensation in one or both nostrils along with a sharp, tingly, or prickly feeling.
Plenty of other things can also cause nasal burning, including allergies, atmospheric changes, pollution, and otherupper respiratory infections. The only way to know if COVID is the cause is toget tested. You can then take steps to alleviate the inflammation that can contribute to burning nose sensations.
fizkes / Getty Images
How Common Is a Burning Nose Feeling With COVID-19?
COVID-19can cause a variety of symptoms, many of which affect the upper respiratory tract, including the nasal passages and sinuses. A burning nose is a possible symptom and one that is perhaps more common than people realize.
While aloss of taste and smellwas also reported, current research suggests that these symptoms, once considered the hallmark of COVID infection, may today affect as few as 6% of people due to ongoing mutations inCOVID variants.
What Causes a Burning Nose With COVID-19?
Nasalinflammationis a characteristic of many upper respiratory infections, of which COVID-19 is one. While this can lead to things like runny nose and nasal congestion, it doesn’t necessarily explain the burning sensations that some people with COVID experience.
Some research suggests that the sensation may not be due solely to inflammation but rather a condition calledparesthesiain which nerve pathways are altered. With paresthesia, a person will experience burning, tingling, or prickly sensations, most commonly on the legs, arms, feet, and hands but also occasionally on the face, scalp, and other parts of the body.
With anosmia, the stimulation of the trigeminal nerve may trigger sensations like burning, prickling, and stinging.As such, the same phenomenon that causes the loss of smell with COVID-19 may also trigger nasal burning. More research is needed.
Other Causes of Burning Nose Sensations
In and of itself, nasal burning is not diagnostic of any medical condition. In some cases, it may simply be anidiopathicsymptom (meaning one with no explanation) that resolves on its own without consequence.
With that said, burning nose sensations are common with conditions that cause nose inflammation or irritation, including:
COVID-19 vs. Other Causes
Differentiating COVID-19 from other condtions affecting the upper respiratory tract can be difficult, but there are certain symptoms (or lack of symptoms) that point to COVID as the cause.
Ultimately, the only way to know if you have COVID-19 is toget tested. You can then seek appropriatetreatmentif you test positive and isolate yourself from others until you fully recover.
How to Treat Nasal Burning and Tingling
Nasal symptoms of COVID-19 can treated with home remedies likesteam inhalationor nasal irrigation. If there is nasal burning, irrigating the nasal passages with aneti potfilled with cool distilled water may help ease symptoms (but avoid using ice water that can end up causing a headache).
It may also help to place a cold washcloth soaked in ice water against the sides of your nose. This can reduce inflammation if the burning or pain is severe. Acold compresscan also help but limit the application to more than 10 to 15 minutes.
You can also try an over-the-counter steroid nasal spray likeFlonase (fluticasone)to relieve nasal congestion or an oral medication like Advil Sinus (ibuprofenplus the decongestantpseudoephedrine) to alleviate sinus congestion and pain.
Other OTC nasal sprays likeAfrin (oxymetazoline)may help but should only be used for a maximum of three days to avoidrebound congestion.
When to Seek Medical CarePeople withoutrisk factors for COVID complicationscan usually treat themselves at home. However, call 911 and seek emergency treatment if your symptoms suddenly worsen and you experience:Difficulty breathingPersistent chest pain or pressureConfusion or disorientationTrouble waking up or staying awakePale, gray, or bluish skin
When to Seek Medical Care
People withoutrisk factors for COVID complicationscan usually treat themselves at home. However, call 911 and seek emergency treatment if your symptoms suddenly worsen and you experience:Difficulty breathingPersistent chest pain or pressureConfusion or disorientationTrouble waking up or staying awakePale, gray, or bluish skin
People withoutrisk factors for COVID complicationscan usually treat themselves at home. However, call 911 and seek emergency treatment if your symptoms suddenly worsen and you experience:
Summary
The information in this article is current as of the date listed, which means newer information may be available when you read this. For the most recent updates on COVID-19, visit ourcoronavirus news page.
16 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lechien JR, Vaira LA, Saussez S.Prevalence and 24‐month recovery of olfactory dysfunction in COVID‐19 patients: a multicentre prospective study.J Intern Med. 2023;293(1):82-90. doi:10.1111/joim.13564Reiter ER, Coelho DH, French E, Costanzo RM, N3C Consortium.COVID-19-associated chemosensory loss continues to decline.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2023 Nov;169(5):1386-1389. doi:10.1002/ohn.384National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Peripheral neuropathy.Hutchins KL, Jansen JH, Comer AD, et al.COVID-19–associated bifacial weakness with paresthesia subtype of Guillain-Barré syndrome.AJNR Am J Neuroradiol.2020 Sep;41(9):1707–1711. doi:10.3174/ajnr.A6654Thomas DC, Baddireddy SM, Kohli D.Anosmia: a review in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 and orofacial pain.J Am Dent Assoc.2020 Sep;151(9):696–702. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2020.06.039Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cold versus flu.MedlinePlus.Allergic rhinitis.MedlinePlus.Nonallergic rhinopathy.Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al.Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39. doi:10.1177/0194599815572097Malone M, Kennedy TM.Review: side effects of some commonly used allergy medications (decongestants, anti-leukotriene agents, antihistamines, steroids, and zinc) and their safety in pregnancy.Int J Aller Medications. 2017;3(1). doi:10.23937/2572-3308.1510024U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Patient guide to ice techniques.Daily Med.Label: Advil Sinus Congestion and Pain- ibuprofen, phenylephrine hydrochloride tablet, coated.National Library of Medicine.Fluticasone nasal spray.DailyMed.Label: Afrin Allergy Sinus Nasal- oxymetazoline hydrochloride spray.American Medical Association.When to get medical care for COVID.
16 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lechien JR, Vaira LA, Saussez S.Prevalence and 24‐month recovery of olfactory dysfunction in COVID‐19 patients: a multicentre prospective study.J Intern Med. 2023;293(1):82-90. doi:10.1111/joim.13564Reiter ER, Coelho DH, French E, Costanzo RM, N3C Consortium.COVID-19-associated chemosensory loss continues to decline.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2023 Nov;169(5):1386-1389. doi:10.1002/ohn.384National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Peripheral neuropathy.Hutchins KL, Jansen JH, Comer AD, et al.COVID-19–associated bifacial weakness with paresthesia subtype of Guillain-Barré syndrome.AJNR Am J Neuroradiol.2020 Sep;41(9):1707–1711. doi:10.3174/ajnr.A6654Thomas DC, Baddireddy SM, Kohli D.Anosmia: a review in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 and orofacial pain.J Am Dent Assoc.2020 Sep;151(9):696–702. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2020.06.039Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cold versus flu.MedlinePlus.Allergic rhinitis.MedlinePlus.Nonallergic rhinopathy.Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al.Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39. doi:10.1177/0194599815572097Malone M, Kennedy TM.Review: side effects of some commonly used allergy medications (decongestants, anti-leukotriene agents, antihistamines, steroids, and zinc) and their safety in pregnancy.Int J Aller Medications. 2017;3(1). doi:10.23937/2572-3308.1510024U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Patient guide to ice techniques.Daily Med.Label: Advil Sinus Congestion and Pain- ibuprofen, phenylephrine hydrochloride tablet, coated.National Library of Medicine.Fluticasone nasal spray.DailyMed.Label: Afrin Allergy Sinus Nasal- oxymetazoline hydrochloride spray.American Medical Association.When to get medical care for COVID.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lechien JR, Vaira LA, Saussez S.Prevalence and 24‐month recovery of olfactory dysfunction in COVID‐19 patients: a multicentre prospective study.J Intern Med. 2023;293(1):82-90. doi:10.1111/joim.13564Reiter ER, Coelho DH, French E, Costanzo RM, N3C Consortium.COVID-19-associated chemosensory loss continues to decline.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2023 Nov;169(5):1386-1389. doi:10.1002/ohn.384National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Peripheral neuropathy.Hutchins KL, Jansen JH, Comer AD, et al.COVID-19–associated bifacial weakness with paresthesia subtype of Guillain-Barré syndrome.AJNR Am J Neuroradiol.2020 Sep;41(9):1707–1711. doi:10.3174/ajnr.A6654Thomas DC, Baddireddy SM, Kohli D.Anosmia: a review in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 and orofacial pain.J Am Dent Assoc.2020 Sep;151(9):696–702. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2020.06.039Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cold versus flu.MedlinePlus.Allergic rhinitis.MedlinePlus.Nonallergic rhinopathy.Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al.Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39. doi:10.1177/0194599815572097Malone M, Kennedy TM.Review: side effects of some commonly used allergy medications (decongestants, anti-leukotriene agents, antihistamines, steroids, and zinc) and their safety in pregnancy.Int J Aller Medications. 2017;3(1). doi:10.23937/2572-3308.1510024U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?Johns Hopkins Medicine.Patient guide to ice techniques.Daily Med.Label: Advil Sinus Congestion and Pain- ibuprofen, phenylephrine hydrochloride tablet, coated.National Library of Medicine.Fluticasone nasal spray.DailyMed.Label: Afrin Allergy Sinus Nasal- oxymetazoline hydrochloride spray.American Medical Association.When to get medical care for COVID.
Lechien JR, Vaira LA, Saussez S.Prevalence and 24‐month recovery of olfactory dysfunction in COVID‐19 patients: a multicentre prospective study.J Intern Med. 2023;293(1):82-90. doi:10.1111/joim.13564
Reiter ER, Coelho DH, French E, Costanzo RM, N3C Consortium.COVID-19-associated chemosensory loss continues to decline.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg.2023 Nov;169(5):1386-1389. doi:10.1002/ohn.384
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Peripheral neuropathy.
Hutchins KL, Jansen JH, Comer AD, et al.COVID-19–associated bifacial weakness with paresthesia subtype of Guillain-Barré syndrome.AJNR Am J Neuroradiol.2020 Sep;41(9):1707–1711. doi:10.3174/ajnr.A6654
Thomas DC, Baddireddy SM, Kohli D.Anosmia: a review in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 and orofacial pain.J Am Dent Assoc.2020 Sep;151(9):696–702. doi:10.1016/j.adaj.2020.06.039
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cold versus flu.
MedlinePlus.Allergic rhinitis.
MedlinePlus.Nonallergic rhinopathy.
Rosenfeld RM, Piccirillo JF, Chandrasekhar SS, et al.Clinical practice guideline (update): adult sinusitis.Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2015;152(2 Suppl):S1-S39. doi:10.1177/0194599815572097
Malone M, Kennedy TM.Review: side effects of some commonly used allergy medications (decongestants, anti-leukotriene agents, antihistamines, steroids, and zinc) and their safety in pregnancy.Int J Aller Medications. 2017;3(1). doi:10.23937/2572-3308.1510024
U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Is rinsing your sinuses with neti pots safe?
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Patient guide to ice techniques.
Daily Med.Label: Advil Sinus Congestion and Pain- ibuprofen, phenylephrine hydrochloride tablet, coated.
National Library of Medicine.Fluticasone nasal spray.
DailyMed.Label: Afrin Allergy Sinus Nasal- oxymetazoline hydrochloride spray.
American Medical Association.When to get medical care for COVID.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
