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
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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!
Related Questions
Understanding Tuberculosis Exposure Risk
A 26-year-old male, who neither drinks alcohol nor smokes, seeks to understand the implications of exposure to tuberculosis (TB). As an anesthesia technician, I became concerned after I encountered a TB-positive patient about a month ago. I had to enter the patient’s room several times to perform blood gas tests. On my first entry, I mistakenly wore my N95 mask incorrectly due to the hectic nature of attending to multiple rooms. From my research, it appears that TB is quite transmissible; direct exposure can pose a serious risk of infection. Transmission usually requires prolonged contact with an infected individual, particularly in a close or face-to-face setting. In this case, the patient was lying face down and appeared to be sleeping when I entered. I have already undergone testing for TB, but I am eager to deepen my understanding of the risks involved in these situations.
24M | Unexplained Fainting Incident
**Note:** I previously shared this story, but it was inexplicably removed. I’m a 24-year-old male without any medical diagnosis or prescription medications. While I do consume alcohol occasionally, I hadn’t been drinking before this happened. Around 3 a.m., I got up from bed to use the restroom. As soon as I began to urinate, I suddenly felt a wave of dizziness. The next moment I was aware of was regaining consciousness in the bathtub, startled awake by the sensation of something dripping on me—only to discover it was my own blood. This was my first experience with fainting. When I came to, confusion set in. I was disoriented and couldn’t comprehend why I was being dripped on while in what I thought was my “bed.” Strangely, I also imagined that I was lying on a collection of marbles (which I actually don’t own)—this turned out to be the shattered glass of my shower door lying around me. I’m uncertain whether I lost consciousness first and then fell, or if the fall caused my brief blackout. It took me a few moments to understand why I was in the bathroom at all. I’m not sure how long I was out; I only remember it was around 3 in the morning when I initially got up, and about the same time when I regained consciousness. I dialed 911, and the ambulance arrived promptly. They checked my vitals, performed an EKG and measured my blood sugar, finding nothing unusual. At the emergency room, they repeated the vital checks, conducted a CT scan, drew blood, and took x-rays—yet still no abnormalities were detected. I had several cuts on my face and left arm (curiously, this is the arm that would have been turned away from the door), along with bruising around my ribs. Since the incident, I’ve been suffering from headaches and pain in my ribs. I received stitches on both my face and arm. The nurse suggested I could have stronger pain relief, but I opted for just Toradol. They eventually discharged me, stating, "We’re unsure what caused this, but return if it happens again." What might have triggered such an incident? How can I safeguard against it reoccurring if they remain uncertain about the cause?
Swelling Beneath My Chin Near the Jawline
18-Year-Old Male: I'm reaching out to any medical professionals who might provide insights into my situation. I've been using marijuana since I was 14, but now, at 17, I'm making an effort to stop and have been clean for 18 days. Recently, I've discovered an unusual swelling located just beneath my chin, behind my jaw. It causes some discomfort when I move, yet it doesn’t feel painful continuously. I'm somewhat anxious that this could be indicative of a more serious issue, especially considering it's positioned near my chin's lymph nodes. Any advice or information would be greatly appreciated as it might help alleviate my worry.
Challenges with Appetite and Discomfort While Eating — Difficulty in Gaining Weight
As an 18-year-old male, I find that I become satisfied after consuming rather minimal amounts of food. This situation presents a considerable challenge, particularly since I only need to have a standard breakfast, lunch, or dinner to feel completely satiated for the remainder of the day. My goal of increasing my weight has made this issue even more complicated. When I limit myself to one meal per day, I often face weight loss or an uncomfortable sensation of fullness that leaves me feeling sluggish. Opting for two meals makes me feel excessively bloated, distracting me from my daily responsibilities. Moreover, I suffer from an unusual issue with my throat, where almost any food I consume causes discomfort, as detailed in the list below. I have contemplated focusing on having just lunch while continuing my weightlifting regimen to maintain my current weight and gradually build muscle. What advice could you offer? Could there be an underlying cause for these symptoms? Lastly, would it be wise for me to consult a healthcare professional? Foods That Cause Discomfort: Bread, flour, pizza, fruits, sugary or starchy items, seed oils, chips, and essentially everything else. Foods That Are Tolerable: Rice, salads, chicken, fish, and vegetables. Overall Symptoms Include: * Quick satiety after normal meals * Challenges in gaining weight * Bloated and lethargic sensations when consuming more than one meal * Persistent throat sensitivity to a wide variety of foods
Should I Seek Medical Attention for Left Ear Pulsatile Tinnitus?
A 31-year-old woman reports an ongoing issue with pulsatile tinnitus, which she is currently experiencing solely in her left ear. Although she's noticed this condition intermittently before, she hadn’t paid it much mind due to the absence of pain. Recently, however, her curiosity piqued her interest in researching the condition, where she stumbled upon information suggesting it could be serious. Usually, she avoids searching online for health worries, but now she is contemplating whether a visit to the doctor might be warranted. Can anyone advise on the need for a medical evaluation in this case?