Excessively dry nose with anti histamines

[Celie1]

Hi hope you’re all feeling well. I have rhinitis and post nasal drip along with my asthma. I’ve tried to take anti histamines which do stop the runny nose, but my nose then gets too dry which is uncomfortable and I feel I can’t breathe as well as usual. Does anyone else have this? I’m taking cetirizine and wondering if a different anti histamine would be better 🤷🏻‍♀️I also use NeilMed nasal rinse, although I’m a bit on and off with this. Any advice welcome, thanks 😊

[Ts777]

I’m having a nightmare with a dry nose and the sores that come with it. I’m on antibiotics and avamys nose spray. I’ve finally managed to find a dr who’s listening to me.

The last one just wanted me to use fucidin cream.... not a long term solution!!! I’ve also tried the sea water spray which just dried it out even more. Flixonaise and fucidin which didn’t really help...

If the antibiotics and nose spray I’m on now don’t help, he’s going to refer me to ent. I’m happy for them to just leave me with a gaping hole and I’ll wear a face mask for the rest of my life!!!

That feels a lot better. Sorry for ranting on your post :’(

[Ts777 in reply to Ts777]

Sorry!! I didn’t even attempt to answer your question. That’s doubly rude.

I think all antihistamines do that. I take loretadine and then switch to fexofenadine when that’s not enough. They both dry me out a bit.

You might find that other types affect you differently, none of us are the same?

[Celie1 in reply to Ts777]

Aw it sounds like you’re having a hard time. My nose is only dry when I take anti histamines, when I don’t take them it just runs all the time which I suppose is the opposite of your problem. I hope you get sorted with your new meds. Let me know if they work. 🤞😊

[Ts777 in reply to Celie1]

My son has nasal drips now and then and I know how awful they are. At least I never get those!

Don’t worry about me!!

[twinkly29]

I would try the NeilMed regularly and see if that helps as it's supposed to help with lubrication as well as getting rid of allergens....but I know some people don't get on so well with that but do with the likes of Sterimar - which is similar but another nasal spray rather than a rinse. Again I imagine it would need to be used regularly. Maybe use the antihistamine spray first, leave say 15 mins and then use the saline one so it's not left dry but the antihistamine one has had time to soak in before it's washed away?

Actually I think NeilMed do a Dry Nose spray or gel which might be worth a Google? I've never used it so don't know how it would fit with your other stuff though.

[Celie1 in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks Twinkly. Hope you’re ok. The anti histamine I use is a tablet, but I could use the Neil med when I feel the dryness and see if that helps 🤔. I’ll definitely google the dry nose gel.

Do you know if the anti histamine is supposed to work for post nasal drip as well as the rhinitis, or are they completely different problems which I should take two different meds for? I’ve no idea what causes it.

[twinkly29 in reply to Celie1]

I'm not sure - you might be better with an antihistamine or even steroid nasal spray. I think these are often actually better for allergies than the tablets (but both can be used together). Being post nasal drip a nasal spray directly for this area might be more targeted? Just thinking out loud though. Post nasal drip is such a pain though - I never really know if there's supposed to be a magic answer for it! Maybe reduced inflammation means in theory reduced secretions? If that's the case then I would think a steroid nasal spray like avamys or dymista might help.

[Celie1 in reply to twinkly29]

Thank you again for the time you take to give your good advice. ☺️

In the past I’ve tried several doctor prescribed nasal sprays and not had much success with them, but I don’t think I’ve tried Dymista. I’ve just been looking it up and it seems that it has anti histamine and steroid (I think the others I’ve tried have been either one or the other). I think I’ll give it a whirl and see if it helps. 👍xx

[twinkly29 in reply to Celie1]

I haven't tried it myself but know of lots of people who find it great so definitely worth an ask!

[Celie1 in reply to twinkly29]

Thanks 😊

[Beader3 in reply to Celie1]

I identify with Celie1.

I use Azelastine pump. I use the ‘primer-pump’/ first pump as the dosage, as well I only use it as needed.

And usually I only spray one nostril, the side I breath least well from, . After a quick inhaled spray, I will tip my head down, holding 3-5 minutes. That prevents tasting the Rx.

15 minutes or later I will use a Netti-bottle saline rinse. Resist blowing out the residual water.

I use the Netti-bottle 2x daily.

I’ve tried cutting the various antihistamine pills up, it’s impossible to cut them small enough.

My favorite allergy eye drop is the Azelastine drops. And it seems to me that I need the nasal antihistamine less then too.

[Celie1 in reply to Beader3]

👍 I haven’t heard of that one. I’ll look it up. My eyes are ok, it’s just my nose that runs all year round.

Glad you’ve found something that works for you. 😊