How to get rid of redness around the nose

What causes redness around the nose?

• Contact dermatitis is inflammation caused by an irritant or an allergic reaction. Soap and fragrance are possible triggers, including products you have used for years.
• Seborrheic dermatitis commonly affects the creases beside the nose. Look for white or yellowish flakes, oily patches and itching, sometimes with redness.
• Rosacea can cause flushing across the nose and cheeks, persistent redness, visible small blood vessels and bumps. Water or skincare can sting.
• Eczema can leave skin very dry, scaly and itchy. Periorificial dermatitis causes a rash resembling acne or rosacea around the nostrils, mouth or eyes.

These patterns are clues, not a diagnosis. Rosacea redness can be harder to see on brown or black skin, so burning, warmth and changes in texture also matter. A clinician can distinguish conditions that look similar but need different treatments.37

How to calm irritated skin around the nose

Start with gentle care while you work out the cause. Keep the routine gentle and simple, rather than giving every bottle in the bathroom a speaking role.6

1. 1Remove the suspected trigger. Stop exposing the area to a skincare product or soap that causes irritation. Harsh soaps and excessive exfoliation can damage the skin's protective outer layer.
2. 2Use lukewarm rather than hot water. After a bath or shower, pat skin until it is no longer dripping, leaving a little moisture behind.
3. 3Apply moisturizer within three minutes after bathing. Repeat after every bath or shower to help retain moisture.
4. 4Wear sunscreen of at least SPF 30 every day, especially if flushing suggests rosacea. Avoid known flushing triggers, such as hot drinks, spicy food or alcohol, and protect your face from temperature extremes.

What moisturizer helps redness around the nose?

For dry, sensitive skin, choose a facial moisturizer without fragrance or botanical extracts. A gel or lotion is generally suitable for the face unless the skin is very dry. Ingredients such as hyaluronic acid draw in water, petrolatum helps prevent moisture loss, and ceramides help retain moisture.2

Why is the skin around my nose flaky and red?

Flakes concentrated in the nose creases, especially alongside dandruff or flaky eyebrows, fit the pattern of seborrheic dermatitis. This condition usually needs treatment to clear. Treatment can include medicated shampoo and medicine applied to the skin; follow label instructions rather than assuming a scalp product belongs on your face. A clinician can choose an appropriate cream or other treatment for the area. Seborrheic dermatitis comes and goes over time, but treatment can control it.14

What should you expect from treatment?

Contact dermatitis tends to clear once the trigger is removed. Rosacea cannot be cured, but treatment can reduce redness and control symptoms. A doctor can prescribe creams or gels, or antibiotics taken for 6 to 16 weeks when appropriate. That is a treatment duration, not a deadline for redness to disappear. Do not use hydrocortisone longer than directed, because prolonged use can itself cause a skin reaction.17

When should you see a doctor?

Book an appointment if redness lasts more than two weeks, you cannot identify the trigger, or self care is not helping. Contact a clinician sooner for patches that drain fluid or pus, form crusts, or become very red or painful. If you have rosacea with eye pain, blurred vision, light sensitivity, a red eye or a gritty feeling, seek urgent medical care.1456