It may also be due to nasal irritation, dry air, and the use ofCPAP machines.
On rare occasions, nasal pruritus may even be a sign of abrain tumor.
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What Causes Nasal Pruritus?
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Pruritusdescribes an itch on any part of the body.
H1R receptors are populated throughout the body, including the nasal passages.
Many different that can trigger the release of histamine.
Some of these are normal and intentional and others are abnormal and unintentional.
The symptoms may beseasonal(limited to “pollen season”) orperennial(occurring year-round).
There are also antihistamine nasal sprays that can treat nasal symptoms directly.
Certain pollutants, like ozone, directly stimulate the release of histamine.
Sinusitis
Sinusitis describes the inflammation of the sinuses, most often due to an infection.
Food Allergies
All allergies are characterized by the inappropriate release of histamine.
Can Food Allergies Kill You?
In rare cases, a food allergy can trigger a potentially life-threatening, whole-body allergy known asanaphylaxis.
Symptoms include:
If not treated immediately with a shot ofepinephrine, anaphylaxis can lead to shock and death.
They are often teardrop-shaped and grow in clusters.
Nasal polyps are common and mostly affect people in their 30s and 40s.
Infections, allergies, or any condition that causes long-term sinus inflammation can lead to nasal polyps.
Polyps are also closely linked toasthmaandaspirin sensitivity.
Symptoms of nasal polyps include:
The first-line treatment of nasal polyps is acorticosteroid nasal spray.
If the topical drug is unable to shrink the polyp,oral corticosteroidsmay be used.
A surgery called apolypectomyoffers a permanent solution by removing the abnormal growth.
There may also be skin irritation from the mask itself, especially if it is ill-fitting.
(Most CPAPs today have built-in humidifiers.)
Nasal Tumors
Nasal and paranasaltumorsare abnormal growths of tissues.
Nasal and paranasal tumors are generally non-cancerous but some can turn cancerous.
The two most commontypes of nasal canceraresquamous cell carcinoma(SCC)andadenocarcinoma.
Radiationcan be used after cancer surgery to clear any remaining cancer cells.Chemotherapyandtargeted therapiesmay also be used.
Chemotherapy has limited use in all but high-grade (aggressive) cancers.
Other specialists may also be involved, such as anallergistwho diagnoses and treats allergies.
CPAP machines used to treat sleep apnea can cause nasal dryness that leads to itching.
Less common causes of nasal pruritus are nasal tumors and brainstem cancer.
An allergist can also help identify and treat respiratory or food allergies.
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