Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesDiagnosisTreatmentPreventionWhat to Call a Provider
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Prevention
What to Call a Provider
Ascabis a hardened, protective cover for an injury or wound. It can occur anywhere on the body, including in the nose. A scab in the nose can be fromdrynessor irritation, or it may be due to a serious medical condition. This article will discuss the causes of scabs in the nose, treatment options, and when to contact a healthcare provider.
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What Causes a Scab in the Nose?
Blowing Your Nose Too Hard
Blowing your nose when you have a runny nose or congestion can help eject the mucus and make breathing easier. However, blowing too hard can cause damage.
Blowing your nose hard can cause irritation and injury to the inside of the nose. This may lead to anosebleed(epistaxis) that scabs over as it heals.Continued blowing can cause the scab to dislodge and cause continued bleeding.
Environmental Dryness
One cause of irritation or bleeding in the nose is environmental dryness. When the air is dry and cold, especially during the winter, it can injure the inside of the nose, leading to bleeding and scabs.
Dry air is a common cause of nosebleeds, especially in children. Theblood vesselsthat line the inside of the nose are closer to the surface in children, making them more prone to nosebleeds.
Inflammation From Allergies
With the additional inflammation and irritation, bleeding can occur, and a scab can form.
Trauma or Nose-Picking
Pimples or Boils
The hair follicles on the inside of the nose can become blocked, causing apimple on the inside of the nose. When the hair follicle is infected, it can cause aboil. If the pimple or boil is scratched or opened up, it may cause bleeding and a subsequent scab.
Nasal Vestibulitis
This infection can cause pimples or boils in the nose and a crusting discharge. It can be painful. The tip of the nose will especially be tender.
Cold Sores (Herpes Simplex Virus)
Cold sores are not commonly found inside the nose, however.
Sinusitis
Sinusitisis a condition in which the lining of the sinuses becomes inflamed. This makes it more difficult for mucus to drain from the sinuses and makes it easier for bacteria to grow.If you havesinusitis, you are likely to blow your nose often, which can lead to bleeding in the nose. When the bleeding heals, it will form a scab.
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)affects the immune system, making it harder to fight off other illnesses, including those that produce sinusitis and sores in the nose.
Drugs
When drugs are snorted, they cause irritation and inflammation in the nasal passages and nose, resulting in bleeding and scabs in the nose.In some cases, they can even cause necrosis (tissue death) or perforation of the nasal septum.
Overuse of Nasal Sprays
Nasal sprays likeAfrin (oxymetazoline)are popular treatments for congestion, colds, and runny noses. The medicine often alleviates symptoms so well that you may want to continue taking it beyond its recommended time.However, when you stop using it after prolonged use, you can experiencerebound congestion, medically known as rhinitis medicamentosa.
Overusing nasal sprays can dry out the inside of the nose, making it more prone to bleeding, which can lead to scabs.
Nasal Cancer
Cancersof the nose and nasal cavities are rare. They account for only 3% to 5% of head and neck cancers.One of the symptoms ofnasal canceris a lump or mass on the inside of the nose. A lump inside the nose does not mean you have cancer, but a healthcare provider should examine you nonetheless.
How Is a Scab in the Nose Diagnosed?
A healthcare provider may use a number of methods to diagnose a scab in the nose. The first step will be to take the person’s medical history, ask about medication and drug use, and perform a physical exam. They will look at the scab and will likely be able to determine the cause based on the appearance and information from the patient.
If the healthcare provider is unable to determine the cause, they may order testing like abiopsyof the scab (taking a sample tissue to be analyzed in the lab).
How Are Scabs in the Nose Treated?
Nose scabs generally heal on their own and do not need treatment. However, some scabs may need to be treated based on the underlying cause.
Home Remedies
Medical Treatments
Treatment for nose scabs will be based on the cause. The treatments may include:
Can a Scab in the Nose Be Prevented?
While all nose scabs can’t be prevented, the following practical tips can decrease the likelihood of developing a scab:
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
Anytime a scab in the nose does not improve, it worsens, or it’s from an unknown cause, a healthcare provider should be contacted. They will be able to evaluate the scab and determine if treatment is necessary.
Summary
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.Mount Sinai.Nosebleed.UCLA Health.Dry air a common cause of nosebleeds, especially in children.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Nasal allergies (rhinitis).MedlinePlus.Acne.Lipschitz N, Yakirevitch A, Sagiv D, et al.Nasal vestibulitis: etiology, risk factors, and clinical characteristics: a retrospective study of 118 cases.Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2017;89(2):131-134. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.06.007Johns Hopkins Medicine.Oral herpes.Kaplon A, Kedarisetty S, McLean C.Intranasal herpes simplex virus (HSV): a unique mimicker of acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis.Ear Nose Throat J. 2021;100(5_suppl):498S-499S. doi:10.1177/0145561319885715MedlinePlus.Sinusitis.Rzewnicki I, Olszewska E, Rogowska-Szadkowska D.HIV infections in otolaryngology.Med Sci Monit. 2012;18(3):RA17-21. doi:10.12659/msm.882505Ontario Harm Reduction Network.Swallowing and snorting.Molteni M, Saibene AM, Luciano K, Maccari A.Snorting the clivus away: an extreme case of cocaine-induced midline destructive lesion.BMJ Case Rep. 2016;2016:bcr2016216393. doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-216393Fowler J, Chin CJ, Massoud E.Rhinitis medicamentosa: a nationwide survey of Canadian otolaryngologists.J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019;48(1):70. doi:10.1186/s40463-019-0392-1MedlinePlus.Oxymetazoline nasal spray. September 15, 2016.American Cancer Society.Key statistics about nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers. April 19, 2021.American Cancer Society.About nasal cancer and paranasal sinus cancer.Physicians' Research Network.Common cutaneous complications of HIV disease.
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.Mount Sinai.Nosebleed.UCLA Health.Dry air a common cause of nosebleeds, especially in children.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Nasal allergies (rhinitis).MedlinePlus.Acne.Lipschitz N, Yakirevitch A, Sagiv D, et al.Nasal vestibulitis: etiology, risk factors, and clinical characteristics: a retrospective study of 118 cases.Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2017;89(2):131-134. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.06.007Johns Hopkins Medicine.Oral herpes.Kaplon A, Kedarisetty S, McLean C.Intranasal herpes simplex virus (HSV): a unique mimicker of acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis.Ear Nose Throat J. 2021;100(5_suppl):498S-499S. doi:10.1177/0145561319885715MedlinePlus.Sinusitis.Rzewnicki I, Olszewska E, Rogowska-Szadkowska D.HIV infections in otolaryngology.Med Sci Monit. 2012;18(3):RA17-21. doi:10.12659/msm.882505Ontario Harm Reduction Network.Swallowing and snorting.Molteni M, Saibene AM, Luciano K, Maccari A.Snorting the clivus away: an extreme case of cocaine-induced midline destructive lesion.BMJ Case Rep. 2016;2016:bcr2016216393. doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-216393Fowler J, Chin CJ, Massoud E.Rhinitis medicamentosa: a nationwide survey of Canadian otolaryngologists.J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019;48(1):70. doi:10.1186/s40463-019-0392-1MedlinePlus.Oxymetazoline nasal spray. September 15, 2016.American Cancer Society.Key statistics about nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers. April 19, 2021.American Cancer Society.About nasal cancer and paranasal sinus cancer.Physicians' Research Network.Common cutaneous complications of HIV disease.
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.
Mount Sinai.Nosebleed.UCLA Health.Dry air a common cause of nosebleeds, especially in children.Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Nasal allergies (rhinitis).MedlinePlus.Acne.Lipschitz N, Yakirevitch A, Sagiv D, et al.Nasal vestibulitis: etiology, risk factors, and clinical characteristics: a retrospective study of 118 cases.Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2017;89(2):131-134. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.06.007Johns Hopkins Medicine.Oral herpes.Kaplon A, Kedarisetty S, McLean C.Intranasal herpes simplex virus (HSV): a unique mimicker of acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis.Ear Nose Throat J. 2021;100(5_suppl):498S-499S. doi:10.1177/0145561319885715MedlinePlus.Sinusitis.Rzewnicki I, Olszewska E, Rogowska-Szadkowska D.HIV infections in otolaryngology.Med Sci Monit. 2012;18(3):RA17-21. doi:10.12659/msm.882505Ontario Harm Reduction Network.Swallowing and snorting.Molteni M, Saibene AM, Luciano K, Maccari A.Snorting the clivus away: an extreme case of cocaine-induced midline destructive lesion.BMJ Case Rep. 2016;2016:bcr2016216393. doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-216393Fowler J, Chin CJ, Massoud E.Rhinitis medicamentosa: a nationwide survey of Canadian otolaryngologists.J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019;48(1):70. doi:10.1186/s40463-019-0392-1MedlinePlus.Oxymetazoline nasal spray. September 15, 2016.American Cancer Society.Key statistics about nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers. April 19, 2021.American Cancer Society.About nasal cancer and paranasal sinus cancer.Physicians' Research Network.Common cutaneous complications of HIV disease.
Mount Sinai.Nosebleed.
UCLA Health.Dry air a common cause of nosebleeds, especially in children.
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.Nasal allergies (rhinitis).
MedlinePlus.Acne.
Lipschitz N, Yakirevitch A, Sagiv D, et al.Nasal vestibulitis: etiology, risk factors, and clinical characteristics: a retrospective study of 118 cases.Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis. 2017;89(2):131-134. doi:10.1016/j.diagmicrobio.2017.06.007
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Oral herpes.
Kaplon A, Kedarisetty S, McLean C.Intranasal herpes simplex virus (HSV): a unique mimicker of acute invasive fungal rhinosinusitis.Ear Nose Throat J. 2021;100(5_suppl):498S-499S. doi:10.1177/0145561319885715
MedlinePlus.Sinusitis.
Rzewnicki I, Olszewska E, Rogowska-Szadkowska D.HIV infections in otolaryngology.Med Sci Monit. 2012;18(3):RA17-21. doi:10.12659/msm.882505
Ontario Harm Reduction Network.Swallowing and snorting.
Molteni M, Saibene AM, Luciano K, Maccari A.Snorting the clivus away: an extreme case of cocaine-induced midline destructive lesion.BMJ Case Rep. 2016;2016:bcr2016216393. doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-216393
Fowler J, Chin CJ, Massoud E.Rhinitis medicamentosa: a nationwide survey of Canadian otolaryngologists.J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2019;48(1):70. doi:10.1186/s40463-019-0392-1
MedlinePlus.Oxymetazoline nasal spray. September 15, 2016.
American Cancer Society.Key statistics about nasal cavity and paranasal sinus cancers. April 19, 2021.
American Cancer Society.About nasal cancer and paranasal sinus cancer.
Physicians' Research Network.Common cutaneous complications of HIV disease.
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