Surgilube® is a water-based lubricant that is safe to use on mucous membranes and can help keep your nasal passages moist and re-hydrate irritated skin by adding moisture to the affected area.
If you have concerns about the use of petroleum jelly, relieve nasal dryness by using a vaporizer or humidifier instead or try over-the-counter saline nasal spray. If you must use a lubricant, choose the water-soluble variety. Use it only sparingly and not within several hours of lying down.
Q: Vaseline is commonly used for a dry nose. But please never, never use petroleum jelly (petrolatum) or anything oily inside your nose. Putting Vaseline in the nose could be life-threatening, as the oil can get into your lungs, and you can't remove it.
Dry nose is commonly produced by blowing your nose too often, whether that's because of a cold or allergies. People who live in areas with dry weather and who smoke tobacco or marijuana can also frequently experience dry nose. Sjogren's syndrome and other certain medical conditions can cause chronic dry nose.
Risks of Putting Vaseline Up Your Nose
Long-term and repeated use of Vaseline in the nose can, in rare circumstances, cause a severe lung problem known as exogenous lipoid pneumonia. This happens when oily substances, such as Vaseline, are aspirated or inhaled over many months, leading to inflammation in the lungs.
Worry not if you cannot get your hands on a bottle of coconut oil. That's because you may also use olive oil to combat nasal dryness. Some people who often suffer from dry nose swear that mustard oil works just as well as olive oil, and then others say that sesame oil can impress, too.
Dry nasal membranes can cause nosebleeds. To keep the inside of your nose moist, use saline spray several times a day or try putting a thin layer of petroleum jelly in your nostrils using a cotton swab before bedtime.
Homes remedies for a dry nose include steam inhalation, using a humidifier, and using nasal sprays or rinses. The medical term for a sensation of dryness within the nasal passages is rhinitis sicca. It often results from colds or allergies.
This home remedy was already used by our grandmothers, the wisest and most expert in matters of home remedies. We highly recommend that you don't use any olive oil for dry nose, some don't even smell good.
Topical camphor absorbed through mucous membranes or broken skin also can be toxic. That's why you should never put VapoRub in or around the nostrils — especially a small child's nostrils. And if VapoRub gets in your eye, it can injure your cornea.
Vaseline is the name of a popular brand of petroleum jelly. It's a mixture of minerals and waxes that are easily spreadable. Vaseline has been used for more than 140 years as a healing balm and ointment for wounds, burns, and chafed skin. Petroleum is the main ingredient of Vaseline.
You can also use moisturizers, such as petroleum jelly, to sooth your dry nose. Just take a little bit of petroleum jelly with your finger and place it around the inside of your nose to keep it moisturized. When you do use a moisturizer, just take care with how often you use it and the amount you use.
Avoid putting petroleum jelly on your face if you are acne-prone, as this may cause breakouts in some people. If you have questions about your skin or how to take care of it, see a board-certified dermatologist.
Although people can use Vaseline as a sexual lubricant, it is not the best option. Vaseline can damage latex condoms, trap bacteria that can lead to an infection, and stain clothing and bedsheets. Instead of Vaseline, people may want to consider choosing a high quality, water based lubricant.
When we have a cold, the blood vessels in the nose dilate as part of the body's immune response, and the nose also produces more mucus. Both of these changes cause congestion, but you'll feel more blocked in the nostril that's currently 'off duty'. The nostril with the full airflow might feel fine.
Congestion tends to be worse at night because it is harder for the nose and sinuses to drain. This means that mucus pools in the head, making it harder to breathe and potentially causing a sinus headache in the morning. Try elevating the head on a few pillows to help the sinuses drain more easily.
Blood Flow Changes
The blood vessels in your sinuses, theoretically, expand somewhat at night. In most cases, this isn't a problem, it's just a normal part of living. But when you have a sinus infection, this increased blood flow and higher blood pressure may result in greater inflammation.