Never say Never: Covid and intensely itchy nose

Posted by megangreen @megangreen, Jul 16, 2022

Three days ago I was diagnosed with Covid-19. Not a big deal in itself.

However in the past two days one of my most distressing symptoms (believe it or not) has been an intensely itchy nose. There are other things too but while my nose is pouring like a tap, the itch has been unbearable……I beg you, please don’t laugh!

Genetic sequencing has not been done to determine the precise Covid variant I have, however I assume it is one of the current Omicron subvariants in circulation, in July 2022, possibly BA.4 or BA.5. So, as you do, I did an internet search to find out whether an itchy nose was a prevailing symptom. This led me to a Mayo page comparing and contrasting symptoms associated with Covid-19, the Flu and Allergies.

Wasn’t I surprised to find a categorical statement, on the Mayo site stating that NEVER was an itchy nose, mouth, eyes or ears associated with Covid-19. As I have never had allergies and am unlikely to have developed them in the precise window of time that I have ‘caught’ Covid, all I can assume is that the Mayo information is either not up to date for the current variants or is overtly incorrect.

Any thoughts?

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crackercracker | @crackercracker | Sep 9, 2025

Ok. So I signed up just to respond to this!! My NOSE is not only running but it’s itching like I’ve NEVER experienced!! Nose and eyes! Not nose is the WORST!!!

lcat70 | @lcat70 | Sep 10, 2025

I’ve had Long Covid for 4-1/2 years. One of my symptoms is my nose runs non-stop. I’m being treated at the Med Help 280 Long Covid Clinic in Birmingham, Alabama. and was diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), which can cause an itchy or runny nose. I’ve been taking Pioglitazone 15 mg once a day for the last 3 months, and have seen a significant improvement in my runny nose. Prior to my treatment at Med Help 280 Long Covid Clinic, I was treated by a well-respected ENT. For over a year he tried to help me, with no success. He finally performed a nasal ablation, which helped for a few months, but then the faucet in my nose turned in again with a vengeance. You might check into a prescription for Pioglitazone. 15 mg is a low dose, but it’s available in higher doses. I thought my nose would never stop running, so I hope this helps you.