Why Does My Nose Whistle? Causes, Treatments, and Home Remedies

Published August 16, 2023

Our body has a way of telling us that something inside of us is going wrong. One way it does this is by producing weird noises. These sounds typically tell us that there’s something that requires fixing. One of those sounds is a whistle coming from the nose. 

You’ve come to the right place if you can relate and are utterly curious about why your nose is whistling. A nose whistle may come off as entertaining; it is usually a symptom of an underlying cause or condition. Keep reading as we’ll tackle all there is to know about whistling nose. What are its causes, treatments, home remedies, and more? Let’s start.

Why Does My Nose Whistle? 

A whistling sound often happens when air passes through a narrow opening and makes vibrations. It is why we round our lips when we whistle. The same principle applies to your nose. 

The whistling in your nose happens when your nasal airways are constricted. As you breathe, the air flows from your lungs into your nose. But if you have constricted nasal airways, the opening for the air to go out is much smaller. When this happens, the air molecules pile up on top of each other. It then creates vibrations. In short, the nose whistling you hear is the sound of air escaping from your nose. 

Nose whistling is familiar. Almost everyone experiences it now and then. But as we’ve already established, a persistent nose whistling might indicate a more serious respiratory problem. 

Top Causes of Whistling Noses

Whistling noses aren’t typically a cause for concern. It is due to them naturally healing on their own. If you suffer from a constant whistling nose. It could be due to the following underlying causes.

1. Nasal congestion 

When our noses are healthy, air freely passes through our nasal passages. Our breathing is comfortable and barely even noticeable. However, the nasal mucosa becomes inflamed when infections hit our noses and sinuses. It then will cause an unnecessary mucus buildup. This buildup causes congestion in our nasal passages. It narrows the airways, which emits whistling sounds. 

2. Nasal Polyp 

 Nasal Polyps are non-cancerous growths on the linings of our nose and sinuses. As these growths become more prominent, they can obstruct the nasal passages. It forces the air to escape through narrow openings.

3. Problems with the Septum 

The septum is the cartilage in the nose that divides the nostrils from one another. If you have a healthy nose, it sits firmly at the center, dividing both sides evenly. However, being a cartilage, the septum is sensitive to getting damaged. It then can lead to health issues. 

One possible complication is a deviated septum. It is a condition where the septum is glaringly uneven. It is when one nostril is larger than the other. It can result in breathing challenges and is another possible cause of a whistling nose. 

There are also cases of deviated septum that are congenital. It means that people were born with it, which may not significantly affect their lives. Other issues of deviated septum can arise due to nose injuries. These injuries result from accidents. 

Finally, another likely cause of why your nose whistle is a perforated septum. Septal perforation exists when a hole develops in your septum. It whistles when air crosses from one nostril to the other through this hole.

How To Stop Nose Whistling: Top Treatments

To stop your nose from whistling, you need to address the underlying cause behind it. Here are the top treatments for a whistling nose. 

1. Keep your nasal lining moist through a humidifier.

A dry nasal lining impedes the ability of our nose to breathe air properly. A humidifier is the best way to reduce sinus pain and heal nasal congestion. The machine converts water to moisture that gradually fills the air. It increases the humidity in a room. 

Breathing in this moist air can heal irritated tissues. It can also ease inflamed blood vessels in your nose and sinus. It can then recover your nose whistling. 

2. Stay Hydrated 

Drink plenty of water throughout your day. Adequate hydration sustains the maintenance of thick mucus consistency. Cilia hairs need this mucus consistency. It also ensures better filtration. All while preventing crust formation within our nasal passages. It is an excellent prevention from more annoying nose whistles coming out. 

3. Nasal Saline Solution 

Using saline drops or sprays can help loosen crusty formations in our noses. These two improve airflow. They can ease a whistling nose.

4. Address underlying allergies 

Treating allergies will reduce any inflammation you are experiencing. It will also ease related symptoms. These symptoms might be the whistling sound of your nose.

5. Septoplasty 

For a deviated or perforated septum, surgery is a required treatment. One of the most common surgeries for a deviated septum is septoplasty. Septoplasty involves inserting a splint in your nose to straighten your septum.

 If you’re not ready for this surgery, you can resort to minimally invasive procedures. It includes balloon sinuplasty and endoscopic septoplasty. 

6. Prosthetic Button 

For a perforated septum, you have one nonsurgical treatment method. It is plugging the hole with a prosthetic bottom. The physician will fill that hole by using local anesthesia. However, if your doctor deems it fit, you might need more aggressive treatment. Sometimes, you may undergo surgery where a doctor applies cartilage. Cartilage is from other body parts to patch up that hole.

Home Remedies for Whistling Nose: How to Keep a Healthy Nose

1. Use a warm compress

Employ a warm compress on your forehead and nose multiple timers per day. It may improve your whistling nose. It can also soothe sinus pressure. 

Making your warm compress is easy. First, plunge a clean cloth into hot water. Place it above your forehead and nose for 15 to 20 minutes. Reapply as required. 

2. Take a shower 

Taking a hot shower can clear a runny and stuffy nose. It, in turn, will get rid of your nose whistle. For best results, place your face and sinuses straight in the steam as well as spray of the shower. 

3. Use a humidifier 

Inhaling warm steam from a humidifier can significantly improve mucus buildup. Mucus buildup arises from allergic rhinitis. 

If you decide to use a humidifier, it’s critical to maintain its cleanliness. Otherwise, it can be a breeding avenue for microorganisms. Such as mold and bacteria. These two can exacerbate sinus problems, leading to a persistent whistling nose. 

4. Hot teas 

Hot beverages like tea can alleviate nose whistling. It is because of their heat and steam, which improve and decongest airways. 

Herbal teas are mild decongestants. Look for teas that have anti-inflammatory and antihistamine herbs. Great examples are chamomile, ginger, mint, and nettle. 

5. Eating spicy foods 

If you’re having symptoms of nasal congestion that cause your nose to whistle, eating spicy foods may help. Give it a go if you can tolerate some heat in your food. If you’re not used to spiciness, you can start incorporating a small amount of spicy seasoning to see if it helps. 

Hot spices like cayenne pepper, ghost pepper, horseradish, or ginger are excellent options. These spices form a feeling of heat when consumed. They also dilate passageways in our bodies. It relieves sinus issues. 

When to See a Doctor 

A whistling nose is manageable. It can go away in no time in most cases. However, once it affects your breathing and general well-being, it’s time to schedule an appointment with your doctor.