Sneezy itchy nose

Allergic rhinitis - NHS

Allergic rhinitis is where your nose gets irritated by something you're allergic to, such as pollen, causing sneezing and other symptoms. For most people it's easy to treat with medicines from a pharmacist.

Check if it's allergic rhinitis

Common symptoms of allergic rhinitis are similar to a cold and include:

• sneezing
• an itchy nose
• a runny or blocked nose
• itchy, red and watery eyes
• a cough
• the roof of your mouth being itchy

This usually happens within minutes of coming into contact with something you're allergic to.

Causes of allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is caused by an allergic reaction.

Common allergies include:

• pollen from trees, grass and weeds (hay fever)
• house dust mites
• animals such as dogs and cats
• mould
• wood dust, flour dust and latex

You're more likely to get an allergy if people in your family also have them or conditions such as eczema and asthma.

Information:

Allergic rhinitis is different from non-allergic rhinitis, which is caused by things like having a cold, very hot or cold temperatures and humidity.

How you can treat allergic rhinitis yourself

You can often treat allergic rhinitis without seeing a GP.

If you can, try to avoid the things that trigger your allergies.

A pharmacist can also advise you about medicines that can help, such as:

• antihistamines
• decongestant nasal sprays or drops to unblock your nose (decongestants should not be used by children under 6)
• salt water nasal sprays or solutions to rinse out the inside of your nose

You can buy nasal sprays without a prescription, but they should not be used for more than a week as this can make your symptoms worse.

1. Boil a pint of water, then leave it to cool.
2. Mix 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of bicarbonate of soda into the water.
3. Wash your hands.
4. Stand over a sink, cup the palm of 1 hand and pour a small amount of the solution into it.
5. Sniff the water into 1 nostril at a time. Breathe through your mouth and allow the water to pour back into the sink. Try not to let the water go down the back of your throat.
6. Repeat the first 5 steps up to 3 times a day (making a new solution each time) until your nose feels more comfortable.

If you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people until you feel better.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

• you have allergic rhinitis and your symptoms get worse
• you also have asthma and it's getting worse
• your symptoms are affecting your sleep and everyday life
• you're not sure what's causing your symptoms
• treatments from a pharmacist are not working

Treatments for allergic rhinitis from a GP

If pharmacy medicines do not help ease your allergic rhinitis symptoms, a GP may prescribe a different medicine, such as prescription steroid nasal sprays or antihistamines.

You may be referred to a specialist for further tests and treatment if it's not clear what's causing your symptoms or they're severe.

Preventing allergic rhinitis

If you have allergic rhinitis, it's not always possible to avoid the things you're allergic to. But there are steps you can take to try to help reduce your symptoms.

Do

• wear wraparound sunglasses to protect your eyes from pollen

• use hypoallergenic bedding and covers, and wash bedding regularly at 60C and above

• dust with a damp cloth and use a vacuum with a HEPA filter

• wash pets at least once every 2 weeks and groom them outside regularly

• regularly wash your pet's bedding and clean any furniture they've been on

• keep your home dry and well-ventilated, and deal with any damp and condensation

Information:

Find out more

Allergy UK has more information on living with allergies

Page last reviewed: 30 May 2022
Next review due: 30 May 2025

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Overview

A tickle in the nose can be very annoying. Typically, that tickling feeling in your nose only lasts for a few seconds, and then you sneeze. Sometimes, though, sneezing doesn’t relieve the problem. If you have a tickle in your nose that isn’t going away, there could be several possible causes, including viruses, allergies, and nasal polyps.

Viruses

The tickle in your nose may be caused by a virus like the common cold. Although colds are most common in the winter and spring, you can get them any time of year. In fact, most adults get two or three colds every year, and children have even more.

Your nose tickle may be your body’s way of telling you that you’re about to get a cold. When the germs that cause colds first infect your nose and sinuses, your nose tries to flush them out with mucus. Sneezing is another way that your body expels germs, which may explain the nose tickle. If you’re having trouble getting out that sneeze, these tips may help.

Allergies

Allergies occur when your body has an immune response to something in your environment. When you’re allergic to something, your body mistakes it for a foreign invader, like a flu virus. This can cause cold-like symptoms. Many people have allergies to both indoor and outdoor substances, such as pet dander, pollen, and dust mites.

Allergies can be seasonal or last all year long. They can cause an irritating inflammation in your nose that may give you a tickly, itchy feeling.

Environmental irritants

There are things in the air that can be very irritating to the nasal passages (the spaces in your nose that fill with air). People who are bothered by irritants have what doctors call nonallergic rhinitis. The symptoms are similar to seasonal allergies, but your body doesn’t have an immune reaction. You may experience runny nose or other nasal irritation. Common irritants include fragrances, smoke, and cleaning products.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis can be either acute (lasting a short time) or chronic (lasting a long time). If you’ve felt a tickling sensation in your nose for more than a few weeks along with other symptoms, you could have chronic sinusitis.

Chronic sinusitis is a common condition that occurs when the passages become inflamed and swollen. It lasts at least 12 weeks and includes some of the following symptoms:

• difficulty breathing through your nose
• fatigue
• pain and tenderness around your eyes

Nasal polyps

Nasal polyps often occur in people with chronic sinusitis. They’re small, soft, noncancerous growths that hang down from the lining of your nasal passages. They can also be caused by asthma, allergies, drug sensitivity, or some immune disorders. Larger growths may be irritating and lead to breathing problems and a lost sense of smell.

Migraine

Many people don’t know that headache is not the only symptom of migraines. Migraine attacks can include a variety of different symptoms, such as:

• facial numbness and tingling
• aura (flashes of light)
• nausea
• vomiting
• blurry vision

It’s possible to experience a migraine attack with no head pain at all. Migraines also come in stages, so a tingling nose could indicate that a migraine attack is on its way.

CPAP machine

If you use a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine for sleep apnea, it could be causing your nose to itch. Nose itchiness is one of the most common complaints of new CPAP users. People say it feels like spiders or feathers in the nose.

If the itchiness is preventing you from wearing your mask, talk to your doctor. You can also try increasing the humidity or using mask liners.

Dry nose

When your nasal passages get dried out it can be uncomfortable, irritating, and painful. Dry nose is often caused by blowing your nose too much. Some medications for allergies and colds can also dry out your nose. Dry nose is common during the winter when the heat is turned on. There are several home treatments for dry nose.

Nasal tumors

Nasal and paranasal tumors are growths that form in and around your nasal passages. These tumors can be either cancerous (malignant) or noncancerous (benign). Cancer of the nasal passages is rare and often has no symptoms. Possible symptoms include loss of smell, congestion, sores inside the nose, and frequent sinus infections.

There are several things you can do to treat your nose tickle at home:

Avoid triggers. If you’re having a reaction to an allergen (pet dander, pollen, dust) or an irritant (smoke, perfume, chemicals), try to stay away.

Take over-the-counter (OTC) allergy drugs. OTC allergy medications can help with seasonal and indoor allergies. There are pills and nasal sprays available.

Take cold medicine. If your doctor says it’s safe, you can take an OTC cold remedy or decongestant.

Blow your nose less. Blowing your nose repeatedly can cause damage, dryness, and irritation.

Hands off. Don’t pick your nose or stick a tissue or Q-tip up there to try and remove debris. Your nose has ways of clearing debris on its own.

Use a humidifier. A humidifier can add moisture to dry winter air. It may be particularly useful at night.

Try capsaicin nasal spray. Capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers, can overstimulate your nose all at once, making irritation less likely.

Try a neti pot. A neti pot flushes a salt water solution through your nasal passages. It’s a good way to clear out excess mucus and irritants and may feel refreshing

Get a lot of rest. If you have a cold or a flu, then there’s not much you can do except wait it out and get as much rest as possible.

Drink lots of water. Drinking fluids like water and tea while you’re sick keeps you hydrated while your body is fighting off an infection or virus.

Try dietary supplements. Researchers have looked into the possible benefits of honey, butterbur, capsaicin, astragalus, grapeseed extract, and omega-3 fatty acids for nasal issues.

There are many possible causes for a tickling sensation in your nose. Most can be resolved with home remedies and the passage of time. A tickle in the nose is rarely a sign of a serious problem, but you should talk to your doctor if your symptoms don’t improve.

XIMELIN - Allergy or cold? How to determine the cause of a runny nose?

According to statistics, from 15 to 20% of the population suffer from allergic rhinitis - a runny nose caused by a reaction to the introduction of allergens in Russia. But how to distinguish an allergic rhinitis from a cold if the main symptoms are nasal congestion and copious discharge in these diseases are the same? Let's see what are the differences between allergic and catarrhal rhinitis.

Spring-summer seasonality. nine0006 Allergic rhinitis most often occurs during the flowering period of plants, since their pollen is the most common allergen, however, it is impossible to focus only on this symptom. Allergic rhinitis can also be year-round with constant contact with other allergens - house dust or excretions of pets. The common cold lives according to its own calendar - it usually occurs in autumn and winter during SARS epidemics.