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What Are the Common Causes of Flaky Nose Skin?

Madeleine A.
Madeleine A.

Common causes of flaky nose skin include dry skin, sunburn, and washing the facial area with hot water. Flaky skin, although typically not serious, can be a nuisance, as well as embarrassing. One of the most effective treatments is moisturizing the skin on a daily basis. Moisturizers formulated specifically for sensitive skin will typically replace moisture without further irritating the skin.

Women with flaky skin on their faces should use a foundation makeup that contains a moisturizer to keep the skin hydrated. Maintaining moisture will also help discourage future skin problems. Washing the face twice a day with a gentle facial wash will help slough off flaky skin and freshen the face. If flakiness is accompanied by redness and inflammation, an over-the-counter hydrocortisone ointment may help decrease the symptoms.

Flaky nose skin may develop as a result of a sunburn.
Flaky nose skin may develop as a result of a sunburn.

Warm compresses can be used to help wipe away flaky nose skin and soothe irritated tissue. Compresses can also help restore moisture to the skin and discourage flakiness. In addition, getting too much sun can cause a sunburn, contributing to peeling. Not only can this cause the skin to flake off, it can also contribute to permanent skin damage, premature aging of the skin, and wrinkles.

Oral steroids may be prescribed to treat flaky nose skin.
Oral steroids may be prescribed to treat flaky nose skin.

Allergies can also cause flaky skin under the nostril area. This is typically caused by allergy-induced itching and constantly wiping the nose with a tissue. To promote healing, the allergy needs to be treated so that the skin can heal. Typically, a runny nose can be relieved by taking an antihistamine medication, which drys up nasal sections. It is important to note, however, that although an antihistamine will dry up nasal secretions and reduce a runny nose, it may also cause the skin to dry out and result in itching.

Allergies can cause flaky nose skin.
Allergies can cause flaky nose skin.

When dry, itchy, or flaking skin is not relieved by home remedies, a physical examination may be warranted. Certain medical conditions, including those caused by autoimmune responses, can contribute to dry, flaky skin. A medical professional may recommend blood tests to rule out these conditions, but sometimes a cause is never determined. Before the medical professional can recommend an effective treatment plan, he needs to determine the underlying cause.

Petroleum jelly's moisturizing properties help to alleviate flaky nose skin.
Petroleum jelly's moisturizing properties help to alleviate flaky nose skin.

Sometimes, a healthcare professional will prescribe an oral steroid to combat the effects of the inflammatory process. Although effective in the treatment of inflammation, these medications can cause significant side effects, including weight gain, suppression of immune function, and gastrointestinal upset. In addition, steroids should not be discontinued abruptly and should be tapered off gradually over a period of days.

Discussion Comments

Kristee

My husband works in construction, and even though he uses sunscreen, he often gets sunburned a little during the hottest times of the year. His nose flakes constantly from June until September.

He gets annoyed when I pick at it, but it just looks like it needs to come off. It's just a consequence of his line of work, and there's not a whole lot we can do about it.

He won't use a moisturizer, because he thinks it's too girly. I've almost got him talked into using aloe vera gel, though. It's green and doesn't smell like perfume, so he would be more likely to use it.

wavy58

@StarJo – I have flaky nose skin in winter, too, even though I don't have allergies. The heater dries out the air in my house and my office, so I get dry skin all over.

I can't use a moisturizing makeup on my nose, though. It makes my nose look too shiny, and then I apply powder to tone it down. This dries my nose out and makes it look flaky again, so I just skip the moisturizer.

StarJo

I have allergies, and though I take antihistamines every day, I still have to blow my nose often. In the winter, I get severe flaky skin around my nostrils, and it can become painful to blow my nose.

I remember putting scented lotion on my nose because it was all I had in my purse. This burned, because the skin was already irritated.

Now, I carry a gentle moisturizer with me. I have to use it just about every time that I blow my nose in the winter, because the flakes just won't go away.

healthy4life

I never thought of using a warm compress to saturate flaky nose skin! That is a good idea.

I know that water alone doesn't help, because as soon as it dries on my skin, the flakes show up again. However, laying a warm, wet rag across my nose would soak the flakes and make it so easy to just slide them off.

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    • Flaky nose skin may develop as a result of a sunburn.
      By: BlueOrange Studio
      Flaky nose skin may develop as a result of a sunburn.
    • Oral steroids may be prescribed to treat flaky nose skin.
      By: JanMika
      Oral steroids may be prescribed to treat flaky nose skin.
    • Allergies can cause flaky nose skin.
      By: Graça Victoria
      Allergies can cause flaky nose skin.
    • Petroleum jelly's moisturizing properties help to alleviate flaky nose skin.
      By: Graça Victoria
      Petroleum jelly's moisturizing properties help to alleviate flaky nose skin.
    • Warm compresses can be used to help wipe away flaky nose skin and soothe irritated tissue.
      By: fotomatrix
      Warm compresses can be used to help wipe away flaky nose skin and soothe irritated tissue.
    • Washing the face with hot water may cause flaky skin.
      By: Alliance
      Washing the face with hot water may cause flaky skin.