Scab in Nose Causes, Bloody, Painful Scabs in Nose that Won’t Go

I have scab inside my nose that is not going away. Sometimes they are bloody and quite painful. What are the causes of scabs inside nose, how can you deal with them even for those who complain of scab in nose that won’t heal. 

Causes of Scabs in Nose or Why Do I Get Scabs in My Nose

Scabs in the nose can be quite a nuisance, especially if they are painful. So what are some of the causes of scabs in nose?  Most of the time, the nose develops scabs because of dryness in the nasal lining and passageways.

This normally happens in hot and dry conditions and in cold winter months when humidity levels fall dramatically.  Low humidity means less moisture in the nostrils and nasal passages. Consequently, the skin lining the nasal lining may crack and bleed, sometimes culminating into crusty scabs inside the nose.

Scabs can also occur due to scratching of the inside lining of the nose, such as when somebody picks his/her nose very much. This can damage the inside of the nose and as the affected area heals, scabs may be formed.

Blowing the nose too hard, such as when someone is suffering from a bout of common cold, can also end up in formation of scabs inside the nose. This often causes rupturing of nasal blood vessels which can result scabs as the vessels heal.

Drugs that are inhaled through the nose can also cause scabs in the nose. Overuse of nasal sprays and antihistamines also ranks among the common causes of scabs in nose.

Certain medications may also lead to drying up of the nasal passages which can make them irritated, resulting in bleeding and ultimately, formation of scabs may in the nose.

Bacterial and viral infections inside the nasal lining can also cause scabs in the nose. The skin in the nose is typically very thin and can easily lead to nasal infections from the air we breathe and from dirt under our fingernails.

Nasal and sinus infections (such as staph aurerus) cause an inflammation of the nasal passages which might end up in formation of scab as the body tried to heal itself.

Scabs in the nose can also be a sign of underlying autoimmune conditions. Although not common, Wegener’s granulomatosis which makes the blood vessels in the nose chronically inflamed is a good example of such conditions.

Whatever the cause, you should as much as possible avoid the temptation to peel the scabs as this can cause further irritation and delay the healing process. Leaving the scab intact also allows new skin to develop beneath the scab.

Instead you should try using a saline nasal spray or gel in order to keep your nose moist. You can also try applying some topical antibiotic ointment such as bacitracin or Neosporin inside the nose. Using Ponaris oil which some medical practitioner describe as the “chapstick for the nose” can also help.

Applying small amount of Vaseline petroleum jelly can also help but avoid applying too much of it inside the nostrils lest you end up swallowing it when it leaks to your mouth.

It is also advisable to avoid blowing your nose too forcefully when you have a common cold or flu.

Running a humidifier at night is also a great way to relive your nose of scabs as it keeps the nose moist.

If the scabs in nose do not heal after these measures or seems to get worse, you should consider seeking the attention of your doctor.

Bloody Scabs in Nose

Scabs in the nose often get bloody if someone keeps picking the nose, more so if they have long nails. Here is how this vicious cycle goes: an infection of the nasal lining causes a scab.

The affected person picks the scab, further aggravating the inflammation and possibly causes itching leading to more picking and so on. A topical antiseptic such as Naseptin can help relieve bloody scabs in the nose. This can be combined with an antibiotics course.

Most importantly, the patient should avoid the temptation to pick the nose. Once the inflammation has cleared, a nasal spray can then be prescribed, but this should never be used before then.

Painful Scab inside Nose

What should I do to this painful scab inside the nose? Does the question sound familiar to you? Well, no matter how painful the scab is, peeling the scab won’t do you any good. This will only irritate the scab and delay the healing process.

Using a saline nose spray may help make the scab moist and thus speed up the healing process. It can also help reduce the pain.

Scab in Nose Won’t Go Away or Scab inside Nose Won’t Heal – What to Do?

The scab in the nose normally goes away with the simple measures we discussed above. But what with scabs that won’t heal even with all these measures or actually gets worse?

Such a persistent may be caused by continued use of drugs that are inhaled. This can happen for example, in people who abuse drugs such as cocaine. If that is the case, the scab can go away if the person stops sniffing the causative drug.

Another reason why a scab in the nose can refuse to go away is continuous picking. This can happen to people who just can’t overcome the temptation to peel that scab off. Maybe the scab makes them uncomfortable by blocking their airways. Leaving the scab intact allow the area beneath it to heal by growth of new skin. Once the area has fully healed, the scab then drops off.

If saline nasal sprays and antibiotics cannot heal the scab in the nose, the doctor can decide to cauterize your nose in order to stimulate growth of cells. This can accelerate the growth of new skin beneath the scab and thus make it heal.

Scabs in the nose that won’t go away may also be a sign of cancer. A biopsy of nasal tissues is often done to determine if the scab comprises of some cancerous cells.

“Staph A” infection can also lead to persistent scabs in the nose. This is a bacterium that typically lives on the skin. It may get transferred into the nasal lining through infected fingernails when picking the nose.

So, what should you do if you have scabs in the nose that just won’t go away? Well, if the scabs in your nose seems not to heal or keeps coming back every now and then you should consult your doctor immediately.

Suggested Further Reading:

• Pimple in Nose – Causes, Meaning and Getting Rid
• Nose Twitching – Cause, Meaning, Superstition & How to Stop
• Nose Picking & How to Stop Picking Your Nose
• Nose Pain – On Nose Bridge, Inside Broken Nose Pain
• Itchy Nose – Meaning, Superstition, Myth, Relief & Runny
• Cold Sores in Nose – Causes, Pictures, Treatment and Home Remedies
• Sores in Nose that Won’t Heal – Causes & What to Do
• Swollen Nasal Passages Causes, Allergies, Treatment & Medicine
• Swollen Nose – Causes, Red, On Bridge, Nose Tip and During Pregnancy
• Nose Bridge – Piercing, Sore, Painful & Surgery
• Dry Nose Symptoms, Remedies, Treatments, Dry Skin on Nose
• Causes of Redness around Nose and How to Get Rid of Redness Around Nose