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 can, 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 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 congested, and it's recommended to do so with ultra-soft tissues to minimize nasal irritation. If desired, you can also opt for tissues infused with soothing agents like chamomile or aloe vera, although the benefits of such tissues have not been scientifically proven to date. Washable cotton tissues can also be a viable alternative due to their soft and gentle texture that minimizes mechanical aggression. However, scented tissues are not recommended as they can exacerbate skin irritation around the nose. Despite their pleasant smell, most fragrance substances are indeed considered allergens under Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 of the European Parliament and 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 nose 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 dispose of it immediately afterward. 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 common 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, especially 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.

The humectants, such as glycerin and hyaluronic acid, function by attracting water molecules into the stratum corneum from the deeper layers of the skin and the external environment. Concurrently, the 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. Lastly, the application of film-forming agents, such as coconut oil, reinforces the hydrolipidic film present on the skin's surface, playing a protective barrier role. In addition, soothing active ingredients, like panthenol or Centella asiatica , can help prevent irritation.

For optimal results from moisturizing treatments, we recommend applying them to clean, dry skin, gently patting the product in.

At Typology, we offer a Repairing Cica-Balm specifically formulated for weakened and damaged skin. Containing 99% natural ingredients, this bandage-effect balm prevents and soothes irritations and promotes the reconstruction of the skin barrier. Free from fragrances and mineral oils, our repairing balm contains a copper-zinc complex, known for its healing properties, Centella asiatica, a plant recognized 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).