Cold: How to prevent skin irritations on the nose?

A congested nose makes breathing difficult and necessitates frequent nose blowing. However, repeated nose blowing is the primary cause of skin irritation on the nose during a cold. Therefore, to avoid this, it may be beneficial to act in advance by thinning nasal secretions. For this, you could, for example, use a physiological serum or saline solution, products designed to clean nasal mucous membranes and facilitate the evacuation of mucus without harming the skin. Inhalations of certain essential oils with decongestant properties, such as radiated eucalyptus and peppermint, can also help to open the respiratory pathways and reduce the need for frequent nose blowing, thus helping to prevent nasal irritations.

Important : Essential oils must be used with caution, adhering to the recommended dosages provided by suppliers, and are not advised for pregnant and/or breastfeeding women.

Blowing one's nose is necessary when it's blocked, and it's recommended to do so using ultra-soft tissues, which minimise nasal irritation. If you prefer, you can also opt for tissues containing soothing agents, such as chamomile or aloe vera, although the benefits of these types of tissues have not yet been scientifically proven to date. Washable cotton tissues can also be an interesting alternative as their soft and gentle texture minimises mechanical aggression. On the other hand, scented tissues are not recommended as they can exacerbate skin irritation on the nose. Despite their pleasant smell, most fragrant substances are indeed considered as allergens under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council.

Beyond the choice of tissue, the way it's used plays a significant role in preventing skin irritation around the nose during a cold. Blowing your nose too forcefully can exacerbate irritation by applying excessive pressure on the already weakened skin. In addition to this, repeated and intense rubbing of the tissue against the skin can damage the skin barrier and increase the risk of irritation. To avoid this, it's recommended to try as much as possible not to rub the skin on the nose, but rather to pat it, and to limit the pressure applied when blowing your nose.

Reminder : It is recommended to use a clean tissue for each use and to dispose of it immediately afterwards. In addition to reducing the risk of spreading the common cold, this prevents prolonged contact between the nose and the moisture of the tissue, which could promote maceration and further irritate the skin.

During a cold, the skin on the nose is subjected to repeated assaults: constant rubbing from tissues, prolonged contact with nasal secretions rich in enzymes, and exposure to dry air, particularly in winter. These factors contribute to the gradual degradation of the skin barrier and increase transepidermal water loss (TEWL), resulting in dehydrated, rough, and irritated skin. To compensate for this water loss and restore its barrier function, it is essential to provide the skin with active ingredients capable of capturing, retaining, and preventing the evaporation of water, namely humectants, emollients, and film-forming agents.

Humectants, such as glycerine and hyaluronic acid, function by attracting water molecules into the stratum corneum from the deeper layers of the skin and the external environment. Concurrently, emollients, like ceramides and shea butter, strengthen the cohesion of corneocytes by restoring the lipid cement, thus making the evaporation of water from the stratum corneum more difficult. Finally, the application of film-forming agents, like coconut oil, reinforces the hydrolipidic film present on the skin's surface, playing a protective barrier role. In addition, soothing active ingredients, such as panthenol or Centella asiatica, can help to prevent irritation.

For optimal results from moisturising treatments, we advise applying them to clean, dry skin, gently patting them in.

At Typology, we offer you a Repairing Cica-Balm specifically formulated for weakened and damaged skin. Containing 99% natural origin ingredients, this dressing-effect balm prevents and soothes irritations and promotes the reconstruction of the skin barrier. Free from fragrances and mineral oils, our cica-repair balm contains a copper-zinc complex, known for its healing properties, Centella asiatica, a plant recognised for its soothing and regenerating benefits, and baobab oil, a lipid-replenishing botanical extract.

• KETTUNEN P. & al. The skin in the cold. International Journal of Circumpolar Health (2002).

• Le rhume chez les enfants. Paediatrics Child Health (2005).

• Règlement (CE) n°1223/2009 du Parlement Européen et du Conseil.

• THYSSEN J. P. & al. The effect of environmental humidity and temperature on skin barrier function and dermatitis. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (2016).