My Nose Feels Like I Inhaled Water: Causes & Treatments

Published December 12, 2023

A water-up-the-nose feeling is something most commonly felt when swimming. It is a burning sensation that can make it feel like your nose is drowning. It is no fun to experience. It is irritating, inconvenient, uncomfortable, and sometimes painful. 

Should you be concerned when you didn’t inhale water and it feels like you did? There are many reasons why you feel like you inhaled water up your nose, even if you didn’t. Yet, in most cases, it is caused by irritating your nasal passages. 

Keep reading as we’ll dive into a rich discussion of everything you need about this rather unusual health scenario. 

Why Does My Nose Feel Like I Inhaled Water?

More than just an organ for breathing, our nose also filters out harmful substances. That’s why the tissues lining up our nasal cavities tend to be very sensitive.

When dirt, viruses, and bacteria enter our nasal passages, it irritates the cells lining them. As a response, these tissues swell up to block these irritants from entering your body. This causes the pressure in your nasal cavities to change, leading to that painful burning sensation we usually feel when we accidentally inhale water up our nose.

Because your nasal cavities or sinuses are blocked, breathing can be challenging, too. The pressure change in these cavities may also affect the pressure in your ears. It can affect your hearing and cause ear pain, ringing, or tinnitus.

Aside from inflammation, the nose also produces lots of extra mucus to flush out these irritants. This brings about the runny nose and post-nasal drips you usually experience when inhaling water through your nose. When this excess mucus hardens, it can cause further blockage in your nasal cavities, worsening the symptoms.

Causes of Nose Feels Like You Inhaled Water.

1. Allergies 

Allergies can strike at any time. As per the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, it is one of the most common chronic diseases. It is also referred to as allergic rhinitis. 

Allergy is when your nose becomes irritated by allergies and inflamed. It is most likely if you’re constantly experiencing a constant runny nose, coughing, sneezing, and swollen eyes. In severe cases, it can also born life-threatening symptoms. Such symptoms are throat closing and trouble breathing. 

You should get your allergy tested to rule out specific allergens to manage your allergic rhinitis. Then comes undergoing allergy desensitization, also known as allergen immunotherapy. It helps to build tolerance towards identified allergens. 

2. Non-Allergic Inflammation (Rhinitis) 

Non-allergic rhinitis can be born due to irritation by things in the air, like pollution. It could also be due to dysregulation of your autonomic nervous system within your nose. It’s what’s termed vasomotor rhinitis. But while allergies are caused mainly by allergens like pollen, rhinitis can be caused by viruses and bacteria.

Rhinitis has symptoms of runny nose, teary eyes, sneezing, nosebleeds, and snoring. You may also feel a sense of tiredness and ear infections that never heal. 

Some people may also show symptoms like dark circles or creases around and under the eyes and swollen nasal tissues.

People with asthma, as well as those with sensitive immune systems, are more at risk of contracting rhinitis.

Nasal rinses paired with prescribed nasal sprays work wonders for rhinitis. There are different types of nasal sprays. Your physician could prescribe the correct combination after knowing your history and performing an exam. 

3. Sinus Infection 

A sinus infection can make your sinuses feel like you are indeed water. Sinusitis can also be viral, bacterial, or fungal. 

There is acute sinusitis. It may last less than a month. Chronic sinusitis is when sinus inflammation lasts for three months or longer. 

Sinuses, if you didn’t know, are two pairs of cavities in your nasal area. They produce mucus, which helps keep your nose free from bacteria and other irritants.

When these cavities are inflamed, it can lead to breathing problems and other symptoms such as:

• runny nose
• post-nasal drip
• headache
• thick, colored discharge from the nose
• pain and sensitivity around the eyes, nose, cheeks, and forehead
• cough
• ear pain
• sore throat
• bad breath
• fever
• fatigue or tiredness

In addition to viruses and bacteria, growths and structural problems in the nose can also cause a sinus infection. This includes nasal polyps and a deviated septum.

4. Common colds/flu 

Common colds and flu are respiratory conditions born by viral infections. As such, they can trigger immune responses. Such responses are inflammations and excess mucus production. 

Because of this, their symptoms may include:

• sneezing
• stuffy nose
• cough
• fatigue and body aches

In general, common colds have milder symptoms than the flu. Additionally, people suffering from the flu may also experience:

• fever
• chills
• sore throat
• headache
• muscle aches

5. Medications 

Specific medications, like decongestants and antihistamines, may help manage symptoms of nasal infections. Yet, in case of abuse, they can dry out your nasal passages. It can then worsen your symptoms. 

If you’re taking decongestants, you may also experience other side effects like:

• dry mouth
• rash
• palpitations
• restlessness and insomnia
• headaches
• tremors
• itchy nose

As for antihistamines, typical side effects include:

• dry mouth
• drowsiness
• difficulty peeing
• blurred vision

To lessen the risk of unwanted side effects, you should only take these medications for as long as necessary to manage your symptoms. As a rule, decongestants should not be taken more than three days at a time.

Tips to Alleviate Burning Sensation in Your Nose

Home Remedies 

1. Nasal rinse 

Also known as a saline rinse, it involves pouring and spraying saltwater into the nasal cavities. Salt helps in drying out the excess mucus. Moreover, it works wonders in laying antibacterial properties to safeguard infections. 

2. Eat Vitamin C-rich foods. 

Vitamin C-rich foods can help strengthen your immune system. As a result, you fight infections and allergies more effectively. Stock up on oranges, kiwis, guavas, and peppers, to name a few. 

3. Probiotics 

Dubbed the “good bacteria,” probiotics are microorganisms that help your body fight harmful bacteria. This is especially helpful for bacterial infections as it prevents the bacteria from multiplying and wreaking further havoc. There are tons of probiotic strains, each with a different purpose. So, when choosing a probiotic supplement, pick one formulated explicitly for ear, nose, and throat health.

4. Steam inhalation 

Hardened mucus can block your nasal airways and worsen your symptoms. The most heat from the steam helps to loosen it. It will make it easier to flush out and decongest your sinuses. 

To do this, just put hot water in a small washbowl. Then comes putting your face over it. Cover your head with a towel after inhaling the steam from the hot water for five to ten minutes. Repeat as necessary. 

5. Essential oils 

Clinical reviews suggest that essential oils may aid with sinus dilemmas. Oils such as tea tree, peppermint, and oregano can help relieve symptoms of nasal and sinus infections. You can put them in a diffuser or as part of your steam inhalation treatment. 

Over-the-Counter Medications

1. Antihistamines

Antihistamines are used as medications for instant allergy relief. These ones regulate the release of histamine. It is a chemical in our immune systems that causes allergy symptoms. They are usually available as pills, capsules, gels, and nasal sprays. They are also often used to treat symptoms of allergic rhinitis or seasonal allergies. 

2. Decongestants 

Decongestants help to unclog a stuffy nose. They work to shrink inflamed tissues and blood vessels in your nose. As they open your nasal passages, you breathe better. 

3. Expectorants 

Expectorants are used to loosen up excess mucus present in the nasal airways. It makes them easier to expel. It also lessens mucus secretion. It thins them out over time and opens up the airway. 

When to See a Doctor

If you notice your symptoms are interfering with the quality of life or ability to perform your daily activities, it’s the best time to see a health professional. When your symptoms persist or worsen, seek medical attention immediately. 

The burning sensation in the nose does go away on its own. Yet, when home remedies and OTC medications don’t work anymore, don’t hesitate to visit your doctor.