Geriatric Nasal Dryness: Pathophysiology, Clinical Assessment, and Therapeutic Approaches

Elad Azizli; Ahmet Arslanoğlu; Gürcan Sünnetç,; Jeffrey Bedrosian

Geriatric Nasal Dryness: Pathophysiology, Clinical Assessment, and Therapeutic Approaches

Abstract

Dry nose, also known as rhinitis sicca, is a common condition in the elderly. It results from age-related degenerative changes in the nasal mucosa, such as glandular atrophy, decreased mucus production, impaired mucociliary clearance, and structural changes in the nasal cavity. Despite how frequently it occurs, dry nose often goes underdiagnosed and undertreated in geriatric care. This comprehensive review explores the underlying pathophysiology, diagnostic methods, grading techniques, and evidence-based treatments for dry nose in older adults. It discusses clinical signs like dryness, crusting, epistaxis, and hyposmia, along with diagnostic tools such as nasal endoscopy, imaging, and objective moisture measurement. Severity is categorized using a practical grading system that correlates symptom severity with physical findings. Management depends on the disease grade and includes non-pharmacologic options like saline irrigation and humidification, topical emollients, intranasal corticosteroids, and, in severe cases, surgical procedures or antimicrobial therapy. Special considerations for geriatric patients—such as polypharmacy, cognitive limitations, and comorbidities—are highlighted. The review concludes by highlighting current research gaps, including the need for standardized grading tools and elderly-specific clinical trials. Increased awareness and personalized care can significantly improve the quality of life for older adults dealing with nasal dryness.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Otorhinolaryngology

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Elad Azizli This is me
Türkiye

Ahmet Arslanoğlu This is me
Türkiye

Gürcan Sünnetç, This is me
Türkiye

Jeffrey Bedrosian This is me
United States

Publication Date

August 31, 2025

Submission Date

February 11, 2025

Acceptance Date

March 10, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 8 Number: 2

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA57ZH42GZ

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Azizli, E., Arslanoğlu, A., Sünnetç,, G., & Bedrosian, J. (2025). Geriatric Nasal Dryness: Pathophysiology, Clinical Assessment, and Therapeutic Approaches. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy, 8(2), 73-76. https://izlik.org/JA57ZH42GZ

AMA

1.Azizli E, Arslanoğlu A, Sünnetç, G, Bedrosian J. Geriatric Nasal Dryness: Pathophysiology, Clinical Assessment, and Therapeutic Approaches. Eur J Rhinol Allergy. 2025;8(2):73-76. https://izlik.org/JA57ZH42GZ

Chicago

Azizli, Elad, Ahmet Arslanoğlu, Gürcan Sünnetç, and Jeffrey Bedrosian. 2025. “Geriatric Nasal Dryness: Pathophysiology, Clinical Assessment, and Therapeutic Approaches”. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 8 (2): 73-76. https://izlik.org/JA57ZH42GZ.

EndNote

Azizli E, Arslanoğlu A, Sünnetç, G, Bedrosian J (August 1, 2025) Geriatric Nasal Dryness: Pathophysiology, Clinical Assessment, and Therapeutic Approaches. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 8 2 73–76.

IEEE

[1]E. Azizli, A. Arslanoğlu, G. Sünnetç, and J. Bedrosian, “Geriatric Nasal Dryness: Pathophysiology, Clinical Assessment, and Therapeutic Approaches”, Eur J Rhinol Allergy, vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 73–76, Aug. 2025, [Online]. Available: https://izlik.org/JA57ZH42GZ

ISNAD

Azizli, Elad - Arslanoğlu, Ahmet - Sünnetç,, Gürcan - Bedrosian, Jeffrey. “Geriatric Nasal Dryness: Pathophysiology, Clinical Assessment, and Therapeutic Approaches”. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy 8/2 (August 1, 2025): 73-76. https://izlik.org/JA57ZH42GZ.

JAMA

1.Azizli E, Arslanoğlu A, Sünnetç, G, Bedrosian J. Geriatric Nasal Dryness: Pathophysiology, Clinical Assessment, and Therapeutic Approaches. Eur J Rhinol Allergy. 2025;8:73–76.

MLA

Azizli, Elad, et al. “Geriatric Nasal Dryness: Pathophysiology, Clinical Assessment, and Therapeutic Approaches”. European Journal of Rhinology and Allergy, vol. 8, no. 2, Aug. 2025, pp. 73-76, https://izlik.org/JA57ZH42GZ.

Vancouver

1.Elad Azizli, Ahmet Arslanoğlu, Gürcan Sünnetç, Jeffrey Bedrosian. Geriatric Nasal Dryness: Pathophysiology, Clinical Assessment, and Therapeutic Approaches. Eur J Rhinol Allergy [Internet]. 2025 Aug. 1;8(2):73-6. Available from: https://izlik.org/JA57ZH42GZ