Dry air killing me?

Question

Now that my furnace is on I am having so much trouble with a dry nose. All scabby inside and nose bleeds. I have a humidifier and it's not helping me. Tried vasoline and over the counter saline mist but still not helping me. Help! I know it's gross but it's just killing me....ouch! Help?

Saline will make it drier? I thought it was supposed to keep things moist?

Answer 1

First, make sure you are drinking lots of water. Second, if you have the scabs and bleeding in there, you must have felt it with your finger tip, so make sure when you are touching that area that you wash your hands first. It's possible that you got a little infection, by touching an open wound with your finger, b/c it is a membrane up there.
I would put a little tiny bit of neosporin on the tip of a q-tip (just a tiny bit), every 3 days before bed. Keep clean fingers, stay hydrated, and keep using the humidifier.

good luck!

Answer 2

Humidifiers usually do help (I had to deal with this when I lived in Colorado, where the air is thin AND dry). However, you have to get a humidifier that's big enough for the room(s) that you're in. Holmes makes a good humidifier, and it has a built-in gauge; most people are comfortable at about 60% humidity, but of course you may want more or less. I strongly suggest a cool-mist type of humidifier - probably the last thing you need in your life is more heat!

If you can manage it money-wise, you may want to consider a whole-house humidifier that attaches to the central heat system. Otherwise, I suggest getting more humidifiers, because it sounds as though yours still aren't doing the job. I've never before heard that saline makes things worse - it always seemed to help me. The first link below is a link to the type of humidifier I'm talking about, but it doesn't have a picture. The second one is the kind I used in Colorado, which I really liked. They use a filter, so it takes a lot of junk that you may be allergic to out of the air; in addition, you can change it so it doesn't build up mold that might create problems.

Finally, if it continues even after trying everything you can, make an appointment with your doctor; while it's not likely, it's possible that there is some physical problem that you need to take care of.

Answer 3

The first thing you should have done is during summer have your system checked and ducts cleaned.

What I do is place/hang pans in front of the registers. Not the return one but every where the heat comes out. I fill them with a Lysol solution. Water works but the Lysol helps kill the germs in the air. When the heat comes on the warm/hot air passing over the pans causes evaporation and puts moisture in the air.

You can boil water so the vapors fill the air. I also place plastic containers filled with the Lysol solution around the house. I also have a lot of plants in my home and the moisture the give off helps. You may also try to not have your thermostat set to high. Only about 70 or so.

It will also take 2-3 days for the moisture to stabilize.

Answer 4

Saline will make it DRIER!!
I get the scabby junk too.
Use lotion tissue always, and use a q-tip to put the vaseline in there at least 3 times a day...it WILL help if you are vigilant. If you blow your nose a lot, do it as often as you can.

I think this is a common enough problem that some manufacturer should get a product out there!!!!

Answer 5

Well, you certainly have some interesting suggestions here...but you have got to keep the heat turned down becasue hot air does not hold the moisture like cooler air...it has to be less that 70 and under 68 is even better. The car, the bus, the office; all that heat affects you as well..are you taking decongestants or other meds that dry you out too?Saline mist is fine regardless of rumors to the contrary.

This is what the mayo clinic has to say:

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/dry-air/GA00044

Answer 6

Try leaving a bucket of water near the heating vents. Another helpful remedy is to put some eucalyptus oil somewhere near your bed. It is also important to leave a window open just a crack especially while sleeping.

Answer 7

Keep using the humidifier and crack a window also pots of water on the radiators will help as well use nasal moisturizers.

Answer 8

talk to a doctor, they may be able to perscribe something better and make suggestions about your heat.

Good luck ♥

Answer 9

try drinking more fluids too, but not diuretic fluids like coffee or sodas, use water, juices, herbal teas.