Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The Dry Nose

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Nasal Physiology and Pathophysiology of Nasal Disorders

  • 2665 Accesses

Abstract

One of the chief functions of the nose is to warm and moisten the inspired air, while another is to recover the water in the expired air.

The nature of the in- and outflow of the air within the nasal cavity is of decisive importance for this air-conditioning feature. In this context, optimal distribution of the inspired air over the nasal turbinates ensuring intimate contact of the air with the surface-moist mucosal membrane is essential.

The expression dry nose (DN) has not been unambiguously defined. In the main it is based on relevant anamnestic patient information. ENT specialists often employ the term rhinitis sicca, although here, too, a clear definition is lacking. Symptoms range from the purely subjective sensation of a somewhat dry nose to visible crusting of the nose, and a wide range of combinations are possible.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 89.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 119.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Armengot M, Barona R, Garin L, Basterra J. The influence of age, sex and circadian rhythms on the nasal mucosa in the mucociliary clearance. An Otorrinolaringol Ibero Am. 1993;20:581–8.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bahadur S, Take A. Specific chronic infections. In: Gleeson M, editor. Scott-Brown’s otolaryngology, head and neck surgery, vol. II. 7th ed. London: Hodder Arnold; 2008.

    Google Scholar 

  • Björk-Eriksson T, Gunnarsson M, Holmström M, Nordqvist A, Petruson B. Fewer problems with dry nasal mucous membranes following local use of sesame oil. Rhinology. 2000;38:200–3.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Boek WM, Keleş N, Graamans K, Huizing EH. Physiologic and hypertonic saline solutions impair ciliary activity in vitro. Laryngoscope. 1999;109:396–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brander PE, Soirinsuo M, Lohela P. Nasopharyngeal symptoms in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome. Effect of nasal CPAP treatment. Respiration. 1999;66:128–35.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brown CL, Graham SC. Nasal irrigation: good or bad? Curr Opin Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2004;12:9–13.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Chhabra N, Houser SM. The diagnosis and management of empty nose syndrome. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2009;42:311–30.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Cook PR, Begegni A, Bryant WC, Davis WE. Effect of partial middle turbinectomy on nasal airflow and resistance. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1995;113:413–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Courtiss EH, Goldwyn RM. Resection of obstructing inferior nasal turbinates: a 10-year follow-up. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1990;86:152–4.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ebner F, Heller A, Rippke F, Tausch I. Topical use of dexpanthenol in skin disorders. Am J Clin Dermatol. 2002;3:427–33.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Elberg M. Erfahrungen mit Nisita®-Salbe bei Nasenschleimhauteingriffen. MMW Munch Med Wochenschr. 1977;119:445.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Eliashar R. Total inferior turbinectomy: operative results and technique. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2001;110:700.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elwany S, Harrison R. Inferior turbinectomy: comparison of four techniques. J Laryngol Otol. 1990;104:206–9.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Friedman M, Ibrahim H, Lee G. A simplified technique for treatment of atrophic and hypotrophic rhinitis. Paper presented at:American Rhinological Society meeting, Boca Raton, May 2002.

    Google Scholar 

  • Goldenberg D, Danino J, Netzer A, Joachims HZ. Plastipore implants in the surgical treatment of atrophic rhinitis: technique and results. Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2000;122:794–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ho JC, Chan KN, Hu WH. The effect of aging on nasal mucociliary clearance, beat frequency, and ultrastructure of respiratory cilia. Am J Respir Crit Care Med. 2001;163:983–8.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Houser SM. Surgical treatment for empty nose syndrome. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2007;133:858–63.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Johnsen J, Bratt BM, Michel-Barron O, Glennow C, Petruson B. Pure sesame oil vs isotonic sodium chloride solution as treatment for dry nasal mucosa. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2001;127:1353–6.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kalmovich LM, Elad D, Zaretsky U, Adunsky A, Chetrit A, Sadetzki S, et al. Endonasal geometry changes in elderly people: acoustic rhinometry measurements. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2005;60:396–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Keck T, Lindemann J. Strömungssimulation und Klimatisierung in der Nase. Laryngo-Rhino-Otol Suppl. 2010;1:S1–14.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kehrl W, Sonnemann U. Dexpanthenol-Nasenspray als wirksames Therapieprinzip zur Behandlung der Rhinitis sicca anterior. Laryngorhinootologie. 1998;77:506–12.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Lindemann J, Brambs HJ, Keck T, Wiesmiller KM, Rettinger G, Pless D. Numerical simulation of intranasal airflow after radical sinus surgery. Am J Otolaryngol. 2005a;26:175–80.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lindemann J, Keck T, Wiesmiller KM, Rettinger G, Brambs HJ, Pless D. Numerical simulation of intranasal air flow and temperature after resection of the turbinates. Rhinology. 2005b;43:24–8.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Lindemann J, Sannwald D, Wiesmiller K. Age-related changes in intranasal air conditioning in the elderly. Laryngoscope. 2008;118:1472–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ly TH, de Shazo RD, Olivier J, Stringer SP, Daley W, Stodard CM. Diagnostic criteria for atrophic rhinosinusitis. Am J Med. 2009;122:747–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Martinez SA, Nissen AJ, Stock CR, Tesmer T. Nasal turbinate resection for relief of nasal obstruction. Laryngoscope. 1983;93:871–5.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Michel O. Nasenspülung bei Rhinosinusitis. Laryngo-Rhino-Otol. 2006;85:448–58.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Miwa M, Nakajima N, Matsunaga M, Watanabe K. Measurement of water loss in human nasal mucosa. Am J Rhinol. 2006;20:453–5.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Miyamoto K, Nishimura M. Nasal dryness discomfort in individuals receiving dry oxygen via nasal cannula. Respir Care. 2008;53:503–4.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Moore EJ, Kern EB. Atrophic rhinitis: a review of 242 cases. Am J Rhinol. 2001;15:355–61.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naftali S, Rosenfeld M, Wolf M, Elad D. The air-conditioning capacity of the nose. Ann Biomed Eng. 2005;33:545–53.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Neher A, Gstöttner M, Thaurer M, Augustijns P, Reinelt M, Schobersberger W. Influence of essential and fatty oils on ciliary beat frequency of human nasal epithelial cells. Am J Rhinol. 2008;22:130–4.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Nielsen BC, Olinder-Nielsen AM, Malmborg AS. Successful treatment of ozena with ciprofloxacin. Rhinology. 1995;33:57–60.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Oburra HO. Complications following bilateral turbinectomy. East Afr Med J. 1995;72:101–2.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Odetoyinbo O. Complications following total inferior turbinectomy: facts or myths? Clin Otolaryngol Allied Sci. 1987;12:361–3.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ophir D. Resection of obstructing inferior turbinates following rhinoplasty. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1990;85: 724–7.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Passàli D, Lauriello M, Anselmi M, Bellussi L. Treatment of hypertrophy of the inferior turbinate: long-term results in 382 patients randomly assigned to therapy. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 1999;108:569–75.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Payne SC. Empty nose syndrome: what are we really talking about? Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2009;42:331–7.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rabago D, Zgierska A. Saline nasal irrigations for upper respiratory conditions. Am Fam Physician. 2009;80:1117–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Rice DH. Rebuilding the inferior turbinate with hydroxyapatite cement. Ear Nose Throat J. 2000;79:276–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rice DH, Kern EB, Marple B, Mabry L, Friedman WH. Determinates in nasal and sinus surgery: the consensus statement. Ear Nose Throat J. 2003;82:82–4.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Riechelmann H, Brommer C, Hinni M, Martin C. Response of human ciliated respiratory cells to a mixture of menthol, eucalyptus oil and pine needle oil. Arzneimittelforschung. 1997;47:1034–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sahin-Yilmaz AA, Corey JP. Rhinitis in the elderly. Curr Allergy Asthma Rep. 2006;6:125–31.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sahin-Yilmaz A, Pinto JM, de Tineo M, Elwany S, Naclerio RM. Familial aggregation of nasal conditioning capacity. J Appl Physiol. 2007;103:1078–81.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sakakura Y, Ukai K, Majima Y, Murai S, Harada T, Miyoshi Y. Nasal mucociliary clearance under various conditions. Acta Otolaryngol. 1983;96:167–73.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Scheithauer MO. Nasenmuschelchirurgie und “Empty Nose” Syndrom. Laryngorhinootologie. 2010;89 Suppl 1:S79–102.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Schmidt T. Die tägliche Nasenspülung mit Salzwasser zur Vorbeugung und Behandlung von Atemwegserkrankungen. (n.d.) www.nasespuelen.de.

  • Slavin RG. Treating rhinitis in the older population: special considerations. Allergy Asthma Clin Immunol. 2009;5:9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Su SB, Wang BJ, Tai C, Chang HF, Guo HR. Higher prevalence of dry symptoms in skin, eyes, nose and throat among workers in clean rooms with moderate humidity. J Occup Health. 2009;51:364–9.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Sunwoo Y, Chou C, Takeshita J, Murakami M, Tochihara Y. Physiological and subjective responses to low relative humidity in young and elderly men. J Physiol Anthropol. 2006;25:229–38.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Talbot AR, Herr TM, Parsons DS. Mucociliary clearance and buffered hypertonic saline solution. Laryngoscope. 1997;107:500–3.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Talmon Y, Samet A, Gilbey P. Total inferior turbinectomy: operative results and technique. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2000;109:1117–9.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Verse T, Klöcker N, Riedel F, Pirsig W, Scheithauer MO. Dexpanthenol – Nasenspray vs. Nasensalbe. HNO. 2004;52:611–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Worsnop CJ, Miseski S, Rochford PD. The routine use of humidification with nasal continuous positive airway pressure. Intern Med J. 2009. doi:10.1111/j.1445-5994.2009.01969.x.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wrobel BB, Bien AG, Holbrook EH, Meyer GE, Bratney NA, Meza J, et al. Decreased nasal mucosal sensitivity in older subjects. Am J Rhinol. 2006;20:364–8.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Zankl A, Eberle L, Molinari L, Schinzel A. Growth charts for nose length, nasal protrusion, and philtrum length from birth to 97 years. Am J Med Genet. 2002;111:388–91.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Rhinology Center Marburg, University Hospital Marburg UKGM, Baldinger Straße, D-35043, Marburg, Germany

    Rainer K. Weber MD & Jochen A. Werner MD

  2. Department of Otorhinolaryngology/ENT Department, University Hospital Freiburg, Killianstr. 5, D-79106, Freiburg, Germany

    Tanja Hildenbrand MD

  3. Private ENT Clinic Goettingen, Faculty of Health/School of Medicine, University Witten/Herdecke, Friedrichstr. 3/4, 37073, Goettingen, Germany

    Detlef Brehmer MD

Authors
  1. Rainer K. Weber MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Tanja Hildenbrand MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Detlef Brehmer MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Jochen A. Werner MD
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Rainer K. Weber MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Dept. of Otorhinolaryngology, Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey

    T. Metin Önerci

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Weber, R.K., Hildenbrand, T., Brehmer, D., Werner, J.A. (2013). The Dry Nose. In: Önerci, T. (eds) Nasal Physiology and Pathophysiology of Nasal Disorders. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-37250-6_12

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-37250-6_12

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-37249-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-37250-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation