When you have the flu, your face hurts because of all the pressure it’s under. Your nose is home to some seriously sensitive nerve endings that alert you when there’s something amiss in your nasal passages. When you have the flu, your nose is probably stuffy from excess mucus and swollen from inflammation. All those blocked airways and irritated tissues make your nose hurt so much. When you have the flu, your nose is probably stuffy from excess mucus and swollen from inflammation. So why does the corner of your nose hurt? Well, for starters, the area around our nostrils – called the alar groove– has quite a few nerve endings in it that help us recognize whether we have something an intruder in our nostrils or not. A blow to this sensitive area can make one feel as if their entire face was under attack. As such, when you have the flu, both your nostrils as well as their adjacent areas are probably tender and sore.
Why Does The Corner Of My Nose Hurt?
1. Allergies
If your nose has been itching or a little bit runny, you may be suffering from seasonal allergies. Allergies happen when your body is hypersensitive to certain allergens, like pollen or pet dander, which are harmless to most people. Your immune system mistakenly identifies these substances as harmful invaders, which causes inflammation in the nasal passages and leads to congestion, sneezing and a runny nose. If you experience allergic symptoms in your nose and ears, you may be allergic to house dust mites. These microscopic organisms live in most indoor environments, including carpets, upholstered furniture, and curtains.
2. Dryness
The dryness of your nose could be causing the pain. Dryness of the nose can be caused by a number of reasons, including low humidity, cold weather, dry indoor environments, and the use of decongestants and antihistamines. The dryness of your nose could also be because of a postnasal drip due to a cold or flu. Postnasal drip is a continuous mucus discharge coming from the back of the nose and dripping down the back of the throat. A dry nose can also be a symptom of Sjogren’s syndrome, a chronic autoimmune disease where your immune system mistakenly attacks your own body’s glands responsible for producing mucus. On the other hand, excessive mucus in the nose can also cause pain. Excessive mucus may be an indication of an underlying condition, like allergies or infection, or a side effect of taking certain medications.
3. Excessive sneezing
Excessive sneezing is a common symptom of an allergy, cold, or the flu. The common cold and influenza are viral infections that cause sneezing. The other cause of excessive sneezing is an allergic reaction. Excessive sneezing leads to increased pressure in the nose which may cause pain. An infection in the nose may also cause pain. Infections in the nose are common in children because their immune system is not strong enough to fight infections. Adults are also susceptible to infections that cause pain in the nose. Excessive sneezing can also be due to structural abnormalities in the nose like a deviated septum or nasal polyps.
4. Nasal fracture
Nasal fractures are quite common. A blow to the nose can cause the nasal bones to break and may need surgery to heal completely. Nasal fractures can be diagnosed by a doctor by examining the nose and the skull. A doctor can also assess the severity of the fracture by visualizing the nasal passages using an endoscope. A nasal fracture usually heals within 4 weeks, but the best way to heal it faster is to apply ice to the bridge of your nose. You can also take painkillers and rest to recover from a nasal fracture.
5. Rhinosporidiosis
Rhinosporidiosis is a fungal infection of the mucus membranes of the nose, mouth, and eyes. This infection is caused by the fungus Rhinosporidium. Rhinosporidiosis is more common in tropical and subtropical countries because the fungus grows best in warm and humid environments. It is also known as tropical fungal rhinosinusitis or desert fever. Rhinosporidiosis is commonly transmitted by inhaling dust that contains fungal spores. People with weakened immune systems are more at risk of getting this infection.
Which Corner Of Your Nose Hurts?
- Since the alar grooves run across both nostrils, if the pain is on the right side of your nose, it is likely coming from the right alar groove.
- The same goes for the left side. If the pain is on the left side of your nose, you have a blocked left nostril. If the pain is on the right side of your nose, you have a blocked right nostril.
- Similarly, if the pain is on the top of your nose, it is likely coming from the alar cartilage. The same goes for the bottom of your nose.
What Can You Do About The Pain?
- Adequate Rest: While the flu is not something that can be cured in a day or even a week, you can take care of yourself and reduce your symptoms significantly by getting enough rest. The more you rest, the more you give your immune system a chance to fight the flu virus.
- Drink Lots of Fluids: Fluids like water and chicken soup can go a long way toward reducing the pain, as well as the duration and severity of your symptoms.
- Use Over-the-Counter Pain Medications: If you have severe pain that you can’t handle, take the recommended dosage of over-the-counter painkillers.
- Use Saline Sprays and Drops: These products can help you clean and soothe your nasal passages. You can also use a nasal aspirator to remove excess mucus from your nostrils.
- Stay Home When You Have a Fever: If your body temperature goes above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, you risk contracting bacterial infections. Take rest and lots of fluids to bring your temperature down.
- Use a Humidifier: Running a humidifier in your room can help you breathe more easily.
- Stay Hydrated: Your body loses a lot of fluids when you have the flu. Make sure you get enough fluids to stay hydrated.
- Stay Cool: Stay in a cool place, and cover your feet with warm socks to keep your temperature from rising.
- Take Antibiotics: If your flu symptoms don’t go away after a week, or you have complications, like bacterial infections or prolonged fever, you need to see a doctor. – Don’t Forget to Breathe: You might not be able to do much about the pain, but you can control your breath. Slow down your breath, and you will find yourself feeling less pain.
How To Stop Your Nose From Hurting When You Have The Flu?
- Use a Neti Pot: A neti pot is an ancient Ayurvedic practice of nasal irrigation. The saltwater helps break up the mucus and clean out your nasal passages. It is a great way to stop the pain in the corner of your nose
- Squeeze Out Your Nasal Passages: Use a washcloth to squeeze out the excess mucus from your nasal passages. This will help ease the pressure on your alar grooves.
- Get a Humidifier: Running a humidifier in your room can help you breathe more easily. – Apply Hot Compresses: A hot compress on your forehead and around your nostrils can help unblock your nasal passages.
- Use a Hot Water Bottle or Heat Pack: A hot water bottle or heat pack applied to your stomach can help ease the pain from the flu.
- Stay Cool: Stay in a cool place, and cover your feet with warm socks to keep your temperature from rising.
- Stay Hydrated: Your body loses a lot of fluids when you have the flu. Make sure you get enough fluids to stay hydrated.
- Stay Adequately Hydrated: If your flu symptoms don’t go away after a week, or you have complications, like bacterial infections or prolonged fever, you need to see a doctor.
- Don’t Forget to Breathe: You might not be able to do much about the pain, but you can control your breath. Slow down your breath, and you will find yourself feeling less pain.
Conclusion
The corner of your nose is one of the most sensitive areas of the face, so it’s not really surprising that it hurts when you have the flu. The best way to combat the pain is to avoid it in the first place. It is easy to get the flu, and it’s important to avoid contaminated air when you are around other people. Stay hydrated and get enough rest to avoid getting the flu.
