Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCauses of a Cold NoseTreatmentWhen to Seek Medical CarePreventionFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

View All

Table of Contents

Causes of a Cold Nose

Treatment

When to Seek Medical Care

Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions

Cold nosesare not uncommon. As an extremity that remains uncovered most of the time, the nose is prone to getting chilly. Cold noses are usually normal and not cause for concern. However, some health conditions may result in a persistently cold nose.

This article explains why your nose may be cold, as well as treatment and prevention.

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Person on couch feeling nasal itchiness, touching nose

Medical conditions that can result in a cold nose include impaired circulation, hormonal fluctuations, high blood sugar, stress, and injury.

Hypothyroidism

Hypothyroidismis when the thyroid (a butterfly-shaped gland in your neck) is underactive and produces too few hormones.

Cold sensitivity, especially in the extremities, is common in hypothyroidism. That’s because the correct balance ofthyroid hormonehelps maintain the body’s homeostasis (steady internal conditions). When the thyroid doesn’t function as it should, it can disrupt the body’s ability to convert energy to heat.

Fortunately, studies have found that when hypothyroidism is treated and thyroid hormones return to a balanced state, cold-induced thermogenesis (heat production) significantly improves.

Reduced Circulation

Whencholesterolblocks some of your arteries, it can result in poor circulation (when blood doesn’t flow efficiently through your blood vessels).If you don’t have adequate blood flow to your nose, this can result in your nose feeling cold.

Peripheral Artery Disease

Raynaud’s Phenomenon

Raynaud’s phenomenonis a condition in which blood vessels spasm in response to cold. This spasming usually causes the extremities, like fingers and toes, to feel cold and turn blue or white. Less commonly, this condition can also affect other body parts, including the nose.

High Blood Sugar

Hyperglycemia(high blood sugar) means you have too much sugar in your blood because your body doesn’t make enough insulin. Chronic conditions, likediabetes, can cause high blood sugar. In addition, overeating, illness, and stress can also cause it.

If diabetes is the cause of your high blood sugar, you may notice coldness in your extremities and nose. That’s because diabetes can lead to circulatory problems.

Heart Conditions

One symptom ofcongestive heart failure(a heart that can’t pump enough blood) is cold skin. That is because inadequate blood flow can make the affected areas feel cold.

Frostbite

Frostbiteis skin damage that occurs from overexposure to extreme cold. Before developing frostbite on your nose, it would be unbearably cold. Later, after the tissue is damaged, the cold turns to a burning sensation with increased pain and numbness.

Stress

Stresscan lead to all sorts of health problems, and strangely, that includes a cold nose. A study of the physiological responses to mental workloads found that facial temperatures, especially around the nose, correlated with the workloads.

Cold nose treatment depends on the cause. For example, suppose a chronic health condition like stress, heart disease, poor circulation, diabetes, or thyroid problems causes your cold nose. In that case, managing those underlying conditions is the best way to treat your cold nose.

On the other hand, prompt medical attention is necessary if you have an acute injury, like frostbite.

If you are experiencing a run-of-the-mill cold nose from cold temperatures, you can try a few things to warm your nose:

When Should I See a Healthcare Provider?

If you notice that your nose is cold in situations in which other people are comfortable, or if other symptoms of related health conditions accompany your cold nose, it’s probably a good idea to have a healthcare provider check it out.

ComplicationsIf you have a persistent cold nose, seeking medical advice is essential to avoid potential complications. When a cold nose is the result of an untreated underlying health condition, it can lead to further complications, including:Hypothyroidism leading to heart problemsPoor circulation leading to tissue damageHeart failureleading to organ failure, stroke, or deathFrostbite leading tonecrosis(tissue death)Stress leading to respiratory, heart, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and nervous system problems

Complications

If you have a persistent cold nose, seeking medical advice is essential to avoid potential complications. When a cold nose is the result of an untreated underlying health condition, it can lead to further complications, including:Hypothyroidism leading to heart problemsPoor circulation leading to tissue damageHeart failureleading to organ failure, stroke, or deathFrostbite leading tonecrosis(tissue death)Stress leading to respiratory, heart, endocrine, gastrointestinal, and nervous system problems

If you have a persistent cold nose, seeking medical advice is essential to avoid potential complications. When a cold nose is the result of an untreated underlying health condition, it can lead to further complications, including:

If you are prone to a cold nose, you can try preventative measures, like wearing a face mask or scarf over your nose. In addition, keeping your internal body temperature warm will help. Bundle up and try fueling your body with warm foods and beverages.

If you have underlying health conditions, managing them will help prevent the side effect of a cold nose.

Summary

Cold noses are common and usually not cause for concern. However, sometimes a cold nose is a symptom of an underlying health condition, like diabetes, thyroid or heart problems, or stress. It can also result from an injury, like frostbite. Treatment and prevention involve addressing the underlying cause.

A Word From Verywell

Everyone gets a cold nose now and then, especially when the weather is chilly or the air conditioning is blasting. However, if you frequently say your nose is cold and get quizzical looks from others, that could signal something else. Similarly, if you notice other symptoms with your cold nose, you should contact a healthcare provider for an evaluation to ensure it’s not a symptom of something more serious.

If your nose is cold, the best way to warm it up is to remove the thing causing it. For example, head inside or wrap your nose under a scarf or face mask if you are outside in chilly weather.Learn MoreWhat Are Nose Masks?

If your nose is cold, the best way to warm it up is to remove the thing causing it. For example, head inside or wrap your nose under a scarf or face mask if you are outside in chilly weather.

Learn MoreWhat Are Nose Masks?

Learn MoreHow Your Circulatory System Works

Covering your cold nose is likely the fastest way to warm it up. Using a face mask or scarf over your nose and mouth does two things: It acts as a barrier against the cold temperature and allows your trapped breath to act as a little heater for your nose.Learn MoreHumidity From Face Masks Lesson the Severity of COVID-19

Covering your cold nose is likely the fastest way to warm it up. Using a face mask or scarf over your nose and mouth does two things: It acts as a barrier against the cold temperature and allows your trapped breath to act as a little heater for your nose.

Learn MoreHumidity From Face Masks Lesson the Severity of COVID-19

5 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.Maushart CI, Loeliger R, Gashi G, Christ-Crain M, Betz MJ.Resolution of hypothyroidism restores cold-induced thermogenesis in humans.Thyroid. 2019;29(4):493-501. doi:10.1089/thy.2018.0436Gornik HL, Beckman JA.Peripheral arterial disease.Circulation. 2005;111(13). doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000160581.58633.8BJohn Hopkins Medicine.Raynaud’s phenomenon.American Diabetes Association.Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose).Marinescu AC, Sharples S, Ritchie AC, Sánchez López T, McDowell M, Morvan HP.Physiological parameter response to variation of mental workload.Hum Factors. 2018;60(1):31-56. doi:10.1177/0018720817733101

5 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.Maushart CI, Loeliger R, Gashi G, Christ-Crain M, Betz MJ.Resolution of hypothyroidism restores cold-induced thermogenesis in humans.Thyroid. 2019;29(4):493-501. doi:10.1089/thy.2018.0436Gornik HL, Beckman JA.Peripheral arterial disease.Circulation. 2005;111(13). doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000160581.58633.8BJohn Hopkins Medicine.Raynaud’s phenomenon.American Diabetes Association.Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose).Marinescu AC, Sharples S, Ritchie AC, Sánchez López T, McDowell M, Morvan HP.Physiological parameter response to variation of mental workload.Hum Factors. 2018;60(1):31-56. doi:10.1177/0018720817733101

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.

Maushart CI, Loeliger R, Gashi G, Christ-Crain M, Betz MJ.Resolution of hypothyroidism restores cold-induced thermogenesis in humans.Thyroid. 2019;29(4):493-501. doi:10.1089/thy.2018.0436Gornik HL, Beckman JA.Peripheral arterial disease.Circulation. 2005;111(13). doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000160581.58633.8BJohn Hopkins Medicine.Raynaud’s phenomenon.American Diabetes Association.Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose).Marinescu AC, Sharples S, Ritchie AC, Sánchez López T, McDowell M, Morvan HP.Physiological parameter response to variation of mental workload.Hum Factors. 2018;60(1):31-56. doi:10.1177/0018720817733101

Maushart CI, Loeliger R, Gashi G, Christ-Crain M, Betz MJ.Resolution of hypothyroidism restores cold-induced thermogenesis in humans.Thyroid. 2019;29(4):493-501. doi:10.1089/thy.2018.0436

Gornik HL, Beckman JA.Peripheral arterial disease.Circulation. 2005;111(13). doi: 10.1161/01.CIR.0000160581.58633.8B

John Hopkins Medicine.Raynaud’s phenomenon.

American Diabetes Association.Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose).

Marinescu AC, Sharples S, Ritchie AC, Sánchez López T, McDowell M, Morvan HP.Physiological parameter response to variation of mental workload.Hum Factors. 2018;60(1):31-56. doi:10.1177/0018720817733101

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