Ongoing Nasal Irritation Following a Cold
Hello everyone, this is my first time sharing here. I'm a 34-year-old male. I came down with a cold on May 20 and managed to recover after about ten days. However, ever since then, I’ve been dealing with ongoing nasal irritation characterized by a dry sensation in my nose and a diminished ability to smell. Thankfully, I'm not experiencing any congestion and my breathing is unaffected, but I do notice that my nasal passages feel tighter than usual. Throughout my life, I’ve experienced numerous colds, and they typically resolve completely, leaving me feeling like my old self shortly after. I visited an ENT specialist last week, who prescribed Dymista nasal spray, which I’ve been using for about a week. Has anyone else encountered something similar? If this irritation stems from the cold, could it be classified as Non-Allergic Rhinitis (NAR)? Or am I merely experiencing lingering effects from the cold? I appreciate any insights. Thanks!
Answers (1)
6/17/2025, 8:31:15 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with some ongoing nasal irritation following your recent cold, which can certainly be frustrating. Based on your description, it seems likely that you're experiencing either lingering symptoms from your cold or possibly Non-Allergic Rhinitis (NAR), which can occur after respiratory infections. Here's a breakdown of your situation and some steps you can take.
Explanation
When you recover from a cold, your nasal passages can sometimes remain sensitive or inflamed, leading to symptoms like dryness and a reduced sense of smell. NAR can be triggered by various factors like irritants, weather changes, or infections, and you may be experiencing a form of this condition. The tightness in your nasal passages, even without other significant symptoms like congestion, aligns with these possibilities.
Next Steps
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Continue Using Dymista: Since this nasal spray was prescribed by your ENT specialist, using it as directed is crucial. It combines an antihistamine and a steroid, helping to reduce inflammation and irritation.
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Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your nasal passages moist. You can also use a humidifier in your home, especially in dry environments, to prevent dryness.
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Nasal Saline Rinse: Consider using a saline nasal spray or rinse (like a neti pot) to help moisturize your nasal passages. This can help clear out any irritants and improve moisture levels.
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Limit Irritants: Try to avoid smoke, strong odors, and allergens (like dust) that could worsen your symptoms. Keeping your living spaces clean and using air purifiers may also help.
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Monitor Symptoms: Keep track of how your symptoms evolve over the next week. If you notice any worsening, such as increased difficulty smelling, pain, or persistent discomfort, you should reach back out to your ENT for further advice.
Reminder
Lingerings symptoms after a cold are quite common. It's good that you've consulted with your ENT and started treatment with Dymista. With patience and the above steps, you should hopefully start to feel more like yourself soon. If you have more questions or concerns, feel free to share!
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