Runny Nose Or Nose Sores Caused by Addiction

A runny nose is usually a harmless symptom of the weather, an allergy to your pets or just a lingering cold. But if you are suffering from alcohol or drug addiction, your nose is often one of the first parts of your body to show the damage. Nose sores and other nasal issues may not be serious at first but if left unaddressed, they can progress to far more dangerous conditions. If you have started to notice any discomfort, it’s important to understand what’s happening to your nose, how substances may be causing it and how rehab treatment can stop things from getting worse.

man-suffering-Nasal-Congestion

What is a runny nose?

A runny nose means there’s too much mucus being produced inside your nose, which then drips out of your nostrils, builds up at the back of your throat (post-nasal drip) or leaves you feeling stuffy and uncomfortable.

The nose is lined with soft, sensitive tissue that produces the mucus to protect itself. When the tissue is repeatedly inflamed, scratched or dried out, the result is more mucus than your body can manage. This effect can be caused by illness, pollution, allergies or, as in the case of this page, substance abuse and addiction.

How can addiction cause a runny nose?

Drug and alcohol addiction can cause symptoms all over your body, but the nose is one of the most commonly and visibly affected. Many substances, especially those snorted or smoked, can directly inflame nasal tissue, with cocaine being the most well-known culprit. When you snort cocaine, the powder and cutting agents come into direct contact with the inside of your nose. The body then tries to flush them out by producing more mucus, which is why a runny nose after cocaine is such a common complaint. Meth, crushed pills or heroin taken nasally can all have a similar effect.

Withdrawal can also cause a runny nose in some people. During cocaine detox, for instance, your body tries to purge all the toxins and your nose can become a key exit route. At the same time, your immune system often reacts with cold-like symptoms like sniffing, sneezing and constant dripping. This is also common during opioid abuse and detox, where a runny nose is often mistaken for the flu.

What are nose sores?

Nose sores are small but painful wounds that appear inside your nose or around the edges of your nostrils. They often start as a dry patch or a little scab and quickly become tender, red and irritated. These sores can bleed easily, come and go constantly and make it uncomfortable to blow your nose or even breathe. In more severe cases, sores in the nose can even become infected or develop into open ulcers.

Nose sores are usually caused by irritation from constant wiping, dry air or exposure to something that damages the soft tissue inside your nose. However, they can also result from substance abuse, as anyone who has experienced a sore nose from cocaine or other drugs will already know.

Unlike a cut or a scratch elsewhere on the body, nose sores are hard to keep clean or let heal because the nose is constantly exposed to moisture and friction. When nose sores keep coming back, they are more than just a surface issue and need checking out.

How can addiction lead to nose sores?

Snorting substances breaks down the tissue and cuts off the blood supply, which means the area can’t heal the way it should. Cocaine is particularly aggressive as when snorted, it narrows the blood vessels and cuts off oxygen to the tissue. In people with cocaine addiction, this often results in chronic sores in the nose, cocaine nose pain, crusty scabs and bleeding wounds.

Other substances like meth or heroin can cause similar problems when snorted, but even people who smoke or vape drugs can experience dryness and inflammation, which can lead to sores in the nose. Once these sores appear, they can be difficult to heal, and they often return quickly if the source of irritation remains.

What are some common accompanying symptoms and dangers?

You may find that a runny nose or nose sores from snorting drugs are accompanied by other symptoms such as:

Post-nasal drip
Headaches
Fever
Sinus pressure
Sore throat
Sneezing
Coughing
Congestion

These symptoms can further irritate your sinuses and prevent you from sleeping. If this persists, the resulting insomnia may lead to more severe conditions, such as an increased chance of developing depression and anxiety, poor memory, decreased sex drive and even a shortened life expectancy.

Why are nose sores dangerous if left unaddressed?

Nose sores can become extremely dangerous if ignored, especially when they’re linked to drug use. What starts as a painful scab or irritated patch can quickly develop into widespread internal damage that affects how you breathe and how you appear and, in some cases, can threaten your life.

When drugs restrict blood flow to the inside of your nose, the lack of oxygen causes the skin and cartilage to die slowly in a process called necrosis. The more the tissue breaks down, the more painful and open the sores in the nose become. These raw areas are vulnerable to infection, and without medical care, that infection can travel deep into your surrounding tissue, bones or bloodstream.

One of the most serious complications is cocaine nose, a condition where the internal structure of the nose collapses from prolonged damage. The septum (the thin wall separating your nostrils) is often the first to go. Once it breaks down, you may develop a perforation, which is a hole that causes whistling noises when you breathe, uncontrollable nosebleeds or visible sinking or distortion of the nose. If the collapse continues, the bridge of the nose can cave inward completely, affecting your breathing, sense of smell, and facial appearance.

Bacteria from infected nose sores can also spread into your sinuses, cause cellulitis across the face or, in rare but real cases, reach the brain. This can trigger a life-threatening condition called cavernous sinus thrombosis where a blood clot (thrombus) forms in the cavernous sinus, a large vein at the base of the skull. This can restrict blood flow from the brain and potentially cause severe complications like vision loss, neurological damage or even death. Other people may develop osteomyelitis, a deep infection of the nasal bones that is difficult to treat and often requires long-term antibiotics or surgery.

There can also be severe psychological effects. The shame or anxiety caused by a collapsing nose can push people deeper into addiction, with disfigurement, pain, and difficulty breathing can all become barriers to recovery. That is why seeking professional help like cocaine rehab is so important, as it addresses the psychological aspects of drug use while the physical effects are managed medically.

man-using-nose-spray

What should I do if I notice a runny nose or nose sores caused by addiction in myself or a loved one?

When you are dealing with nose pain, bleeding or visible sores, your health could be at serious risk. Whether you’re still using substances or trying to stop, Addiction Helper can give you expert advice and connect you with safe, non-judgmental support. You don’t have to live with the damage or suffer alone. Contact us today, and we can help you turn things around.

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Our compassionate team are ready and available to take your call, and guide you towards lasting the lasting addiction recovery you deserve.

Frequently Asked Questions

How to stop a runny nose from cocaine?

If you have a chronic runny nose from cocaine, the first thing you need to do is stop taking it and seek professional help if you have become addicted. Then, you can try rinsing your nasal cavity with a saltwater solution or a nasal spray or rinse from the chemist. Avoid putting anything in your nose for a couple of weeks to see if your nostrils clear up by themselves. If this doesn’t work, then you should seek professional advice from a doctor.

What should I do if I still have a regular runny nose after quitting cocaine?

A runny nose after cocaine is common and can last for weeks or even months. Cocaine badly damages the soft tissue inside your nose, and healing takes time, especially if there’s inflammation or a perforation. If the dripping or congestion hasn’t improved, speak to a GP or ENT specialist. They can check for ongoing damage and may recommend saline rinses, sprays or other treatments to help your nose recover fully.

Will nose sores caused by cocaine go away over time?

A sore nose from cocaine caused by minor irritation may heal with time and good care once you stop using the drug. But if the damage is deeper, like ulcers or septal perforation, the tissue may not recover on its own. If the soreness persists or fails to heal, it’s best to consult a specialist to assess for potential lasting damage and discuss treatment options.

(Click here to see works cited)

UK Addiction Treatment Centres. “Understanding “coke nose.”” UK Addiction Treatment Centres, https://www.ukat.co.uk/blog/health-and-wellbeing/understanding-coke-nose/. Accessed 19 May 2025.
Talbott, J F et al. “Midfacial osteomyelitis in a chronic cocaine abuser: a case report.” Ear, nose, & throat journal vol. 80,10 (2001): 738-40, 742-3.
Smith, Jonathan C et al. “Midline nasal and hard palate destruction in cocaine abusers and cocaine’s role in rhinologic practice.” Ear, nose, & throat journal vol. 81,3 (2002): 172-7.
Sharma, Toishi et al. “Cocaine-induced Thrombosis: Review of Predisposing Factors, Potential Mechanisms, and Clinical Consequences with a Striking Case Report.” Cureus vol. 11,5 e4700. 21 May. 2019, doi:10.7759/cureus.4700