Acute nasal dryness in COVID-19

Abstract

One of the entry routes of SARS-CoV-2 is the nasal epithelium. Although mounting evidence suggests the presence of olfactory dysfunction, and even anosmia, in patients with COVID-19, it is not clear whether these patients also suffer from other “nasal” symptoms that may influence their olfaction. A group of 35 patients with COVID-19 (and a control group matched in gender and age) were surveyed about the presence of a variety of nasal symptoms that may be associated to drastic perturbations experienced in the nasal cavity (e.g., “excessive dryness” and/or a continual sensation of having had a “nasal douche”). We used a cross-sectional, retrospective survey, targeted at the general population by means of non-quoted, non-random, snowball sampling. Symptoms were assessed with absence/presence responses. The possible association between two continuously distributed latent variables from categorical variables was estimated by means of polychoric correlations. More than 68% of the patients reported at least one “nasal” symptom. The clinical group also experienced “a strange sensation in the nose” and having excessive nasal dryness significantly more often than the control group. Fifty-two percent of the patients (but only 3% of the control group) reported a constant sensation of having had a strong nasal douche. Nasal symptoms predominantly co-occurred with anosmia/hyposmia, and ageusia/hypogeusia, appeared principally before or during the other symptoms of COVID-19, and lasted for twelve days, in average. The presence of these nasal symptoms, and their early occurrence, could potentially facilitate early diagnosis of COVID-19 and initial social distancing efforts.

Essentials in saline pharmacology for nasal or respiratory hygiene in times of COVID-19

“…Nasal saline irrigation has no effect on normal olfaction [151], and its use in nasal disease has not led to adverse outcome [152]. Its hydrating effect may possibly help to prevent and overcome dry nose during COVID-19 [153].…”

Upregulation of ACE/ACE2 Balance in Nasal Mucosa: A Working Hypothesis to Explain the Absence of Nasal Inflammatory Symptoms in COVID-19 Disease

“…Our hypothesis is also supported by the recent publication of Navarra et al reporting ''excessive nasal dryness'' and/or a continual sensation of having had a ''nasal douche'' in 61.8% and 51.5% of the COVID-19 patients. 10 We believe that the hypothesis of ACE-AngII-AT1R upregulation mediated mechanisms can support these symptoms as well.…”

Aging and the (Chemical) Senses: Implications for Food Behaviour Amongst Elderly Consumers

“…Further, given the many reports of chemosensory loss constituting one of the most common symptoms of COVID-19 [ 191 , 192 ], a loss that has been reported to affect not only smell and taste, but also the trigeminal sense [ 193 ], one might wonder to what extent some of the sensory strategies outlined here to deal with the sensory losses experienced by the elderly might be relevant to providing enhanced food experiences for the worryingly large number of those suffering from long COVID. Indeed, according to the results of the latest report, approximately one-third of patients suffering from long COVID reported impaired chemosensory function three months after infection [ 194 ].…”