Dryness of the mouth and nose can be caused by an impairment of the mucus or salivary glands, which normally moisten and lubricate your nose and mouth. Treatment of these disorders is very difficult. You can suck hard candy such as lemon drops to stimulate the salivary glands to produce some fluid. Good oral hygiene is important, including caring for your teeth, drinking plenty of fluids, and rinsing your mouth frequently. Rinses with bicarbonate of soda in water are sometimes helpful.
Some medications cause dryness of the mouth, particularly antidepressants, tranquilizers, sedatives, and medications used for urinary incontinence, some intestinal disorders, high blood pressure, and certain heart conditions. If you take any or a number of drugs, ask your physician if they might be responsible.
Small amounts of lanolin or petroleum jelly are beneficial in alleviating nose dryness. If the cause is allergy, a small amount of cortisone cream may be helpful. A common aggravating factor is extreme dryness of the air in the home that occurs in the winter when the heat is on. A humidifier can ease the problem considerably. If you cannot humidify the whole house, a small room humidifier for your bedroom may be effective.
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