What is a crust that sticks to the inside of the septum of the nose...

Posted by bankerman @bankerman, May 2, 2023

biopsied years ago as "negative" seems to resurface in Winter....I know I should not keep removing it.

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Welcome @bankerman, It can be concerning having the crusty buildup in the nose. I've battled with it for years and it was worse in the winter. I finally got an appointment a few years ago with a Rochester Mayo ENT who prescribed some proprietary nasal spray that helped me with nasal breathing. I used it for about 3 months along with a twice daily nasal rinse. After I stopped the nasal spray I continued with the morning and evening nasal rinse which really helped. About six months or so ago I started using a SinuSonic breathing device after reading some of the research and it has helped me. It's also fairly inexpensive and easier than the twice daily nasal rinse. I also Ayr nasal gel to rub the inside of my nose when it is really dry.

-- The SinuSonic: reducing nasal congestion with acoustic vibration and oscillating expiratory pressure:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6718060/.

Have you discussed your concerns with your doctor or an ENT?

REPLY

Hi @bankerman, Since this crust in your nose seems to occur in winter, it could be related to the dryness of the air. If you live in a climate where you need a furnace during the winter months that can really rob moisture from the house.
I actually have a similar experience happen in the winter if the house is dry…been happening all my life and I’m now in my late 60s.
We have a whole house humidifier now, which has helped keep the moisture at the proper level. However, if it’s below zero for an extended period with the furnace cranking away, the air dries out again and I wake with a “crusty’…which loosens when I blow my nose. Some people are more prone to this than others for some reason. My husband never has this issue.

What has helped me to avoid my dry nose is a small vaporizer. Vicks makes one for a baby’s room. Small, quiet and easy to clean. I keep that plugged in and running near my side of the bed at night. I no longer have that nose problem with being dried out.
Another little trick is to apply a very light film of petroleum jelly inside your nostrils.
I also use a Xlear nasal spray morning and night to keep my sinuses clean and moisturized.
It’s good you had the area biopsied just to make sure the tissue was healthy.
Here’s a little article from Healthline.com regarding scabs in the nose that might be of some value. https://www.healthline.com/health/scabs-in-nose#diagnosis
Try your best to avoid removing it so that area can and see if it makes a difference. Have you tried upping the moisture in the house while sleeping or using any nasal moisturizers?

REPLY
@loribmt

Hi @bankerman, Since this crust in your nose seems to occur in winter, it could be related to the dryness of the air. If you live in a climate where you need a furnace during the winter months that can really rob moisture from the house.
I actually have a similar experience happen in the winter if the house is dry…been happening all my life and I’m now in my late 60s.
We have a whole house humidifier now, which has helped keep the moisture at the proper level. However, if it’s below zero for an extended period with the furnace cranking away, the air dries out again and I wake with a “crusty’…which loosens when I blow my nose. Some people are more prone to this than others for some reason. My husband never has this issue.

What has helped me to avoid my dry nose is a small vaporizer. Vicks makes one for a baby’s room. Small, quiet and easy to clean. I keep that plugged in and running near my side of the bed at night. I no longer have that nose problem with being dried out.
Another little trick is to apply a very light film of petroleum jelly inside your nostrils.
I also use a Xlear nasal spray morning and night to keep my sinuses clean and moisturized.
It’s good you had the area biopsied just to make sure the tissue was healthy.
Here’s a little article from Healthline.com regarding scabs in the nose that might be of some value. https://www.healthline.com/health/scabs-in-nose#diagnosis
Try your best to avoid removing it so that area can and see if it makes a difference. Have you tried upping the moisture in the house while sleeping or using any nasal moisturizers?

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Thank you for your response! I can't try to remove the scab without causing it to bleed. I'm wondering if I am swabbing the area with Hydrogen Peroxide too often....causing the sensitivity. I had this biopsied several years ago.....came back negative. It tends to go away in the warmer months...and then shows up....small area, same spot on the septum of the left side in the colder months.

REPLY
@bankerman

Thank you for your response! I can't try to remove the scab without causing it to bleed. I'm wondering if I am swabbing the area with Hydrogen Peroxide too often....causing the sensitivity. I had this biopsied several years ago.....came back negative. It tends to go away in the warmer months...and then shows up....small area, same spot on the septum of the left side in the colder months.

Jump to this post

It’s proably a good idea to stop swabbing the area with the hydrogen peroxide. It can change the normal flora of the musousal tissue and act as an irritant preventing that area from healing.

I know it’s become a frustrating, daily nuisance but try not focusing on that area for a few days and see what happens. It may become less irritated without the peroxide. In the meantime it might helpful keep your nose moist with using a gentle misting of Ayr or any saline nasal spray a couple times daily. Xlear nasal spray is a very gentle, not medicated spray with xylitol that helps promote healing…that’s been my go-to for years.
A light film of Vaseline a couple times per day and at bedtime always seems to make a difference for me when my nose dries out inside. It’s an accepted protectant used dermatologists for cuts and scrapes.

If you’re in the same type of climate I’m in this year, winter is relentless. We had snow on May 1st…so the furnace is still running! Let’s hope for some warm, more humid air soon and your issues clears up for the summer. That’s an encouraging point also, that it is seasonal. Try these changes and let me know if they help out, ok? Good luck. 🙂

REPLY
@loribmt

It’s proably a good idea to stop swabbing the area with the hydrogen peroxide. It can change the normal flora of the musousal tissue and act as an irritant preventing that area from healing.

I know it’s become a frustrating, daily nuisance but try not focusing on that area for a few days and see what happens. It may become less irritated without the peroxide. In the meantime it might helpful keep your nose moist with using a gentle misting of Ayr or any saline nasal spray a couple times daily. Xlear nasal spray is a very gentle, not medicated spray with xylitol that helps promote healing…that’s been my go-to for years.
A light film of Vaseline a couple times per day and at bedtime always seems to make a difference for me when my nose dries out inside. It’s an accepted protectant used dermatologists for cuts and scrapes.

If you’re in the same type of climate I’m in this year, winter is relentless. We had snow on May 1st…so the furnace is still running! Let’s hope for some warm, more humid air soon and your issues clears up for the summer. That’s an encouraging point also, that it is seasonal. Try these changes and let me know if they help out, ok? Good luck. 🙂

Jump to this post

Thank you so much for your advice! I will do just as you suggested!!

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AFTER MY SECOND BOUT WITH COVID I TOO HAD CRUST FROM NOISE BLEEDS, HAD IT CAUTERIZED BUT NOW I THINK MY SEPTUM IS PERFORATED BECAUSE MY NOSE WHISTLES.
HOWEVER THE BEST THING TO GET IS THE VICKS HUMIDIFIER THE ONE GALLON ONE NOT VAPORIZER HUMIDIFIER HELP DRY NOSE TREMENDOUSLY, IT SELLS FOR $44 AT WALMART. AND YOU DONT NEED TO BUY FILTERS. TRY IT. HOPE IT HELPS.

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@johnbishop

Welcome @bankerman, It can be concerning having the crusty buildup in the nose. I've battled with it for years and it was worse in the winter. I finally got an appointment a few years ago with a Rochester Mayo ENT who prescribed some proprietary nasal spray that helped me with nasal breathing. I used it for about 3 months along with a twice daily nasal rinse. After I stopped the nasal spray I continued with the morning and evening nasal rinse which really helped. About six months or so ago I started using a SinuSonic breathing device after reading some of the research and it has helped me. It's also fairly inexpensive and easier than the twice daily nasal rinse. I also Ayr nasal gel to rub the inside of my nose when it is really dry.

-- The SinuSonic: reducing nasal congestion with acoustic vibration and oscillating expiratory pressure:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6718060/.

Have you discussed your concerns with your doctor or an ENT?

Jump to this post

Thank you very much for your advice.....seeing an ENT tomorrow!

REPLY

Hi, I had nasal infection for sometime and I have to be honest I did pick at some of the scabs. I know I should not have and I don’t know why I did it became a cycle.

Now I have not touched it for over a month, no infection. But what is left is a white scab scar tissue. It looks quite thick and is soft. I use saline and Vaseline but it’s not going away at all. It’s on both sides of the septum.

I saw ent last week and he said it appears to be scar tissue and keep using saline and Vaseline. But I’m worried … any similar experiences? I’m very annoyed at myself for letting this happen.

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Did you get this sorted in the end? @bankerman or nay update I have same problem x

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@katiemac85

Did you get this sorted in the end? @bankerman or nay update I have same problem x

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Yes, katiemac85.....treated with Mupirocin 2%....took 3 days....completely gone!! After dealing with this for years, all it took was this medication!!! Now just dealing with a polyp way up in the sinus....

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