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Pain in the bridge of the nose
Last reviewed: 06.07.2025
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Diseases that cause pain in the bridge of the nose
Severe and sharp pain may indicate an inflammatory process in the nasal sinuses. In this case, pain is caused by obstruction of mucous secretions, which causes an inflammatory process. In this case, the pain may radiate to the temples, back of the head, crown, and discomfort may occur in the eye area.
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Chronic sinusitis
A common cause of pain in the bridge of the nose is chronic sinusitis. This is accompanied by difficulty breathing through the nose, nasal congestion, mucous or purulent discharge, headaches, and general weakness. As a rule, such pain intensifies towards evening.
Sinusitis can also lead to ethmoiditis. Inflammation of the paranasal sinuses occurs in the posterior mucous membrane of the nose. The main symptoms of ethmoiditis are constant headaches, pain in the bridge of the nose, nasal congestion, fever, and a feeling of weakness and exhaustion. Treatment for this disease can only be prescribed by an experienced otolaryngologist. It may include lavage, the use of vasoconstrictors, and a course of antibiotics. And only if the disease is advanced, it may threaten surgical intervention.
To prevent sinusitis, you should, first of all, increase the body's immunity in order to prevent colds and prevent the development of consequences. There are also some nuances that can help to avoid the occurrence of the disease: firstly, this is airing the room. This procedure should be performed at least 4-5 times a day, while an undesirable factor is the entry of cold and humid air into the nasal cavity.
The presence of allergies can also influence the development of the disease. When visiting a swimming pool, for example, you should avoid getting chlorinated water into your nasal cavity, as this is an irritant.
Any type of sinusitis can cause pain in the bridge of the nose.
With a runny nose or flu, sinusitis may develop as a complication, which also causes pain.
In acute frontal sinusitis, frequent symptoms are headaches, which may be accompanied by pain in the bridge of the nose. Painful sensations can vary greatly – from dull and pressing to sharp and intense. At night, such pain may weaken.
Rhinitis
Acute or chronic rhinitis can also cause pain in the bridge of the nose. A viral or bacterial infection, getting into the nasal cavity, affects the mucous membrane, resulting in inflammation, swelling, most often both halves of the nose are affected. Chronic rhinitis can be a consequence of acute rhinitis, a result of impaired blood circulation or adverse environmental influences. Pain in the bridge of the nose can be accompanied by loss or reduction of smell, dryness and nasal congestion.
Neuralgia
The next factor influencing the occurrence of unpleasant and painful sensations in the bridge of the nose area is neuralgic diseases. In this case, sharp, abrupt pains are observed, often at night.
Neuralgic causes of pain in the bridge of the nose are more common in young and middle-aged people. This may be, for example, neuralgia of the nasociliary nerve, which is also called Charlin's syndrome. This disease may appear as a result of various inflammations in the nasal sinuses, with various infections, with a deviated nasal septum and even dental diseases. With neuralgia of the nasociliary nerve, paroxysmal pains are quite long-lasting and intense. To relieve pain, painkillers are used, as well as a solution in the form of eye drops, if the diagnosis is made by a competent specialist.
A disease such as ganglionitis, or infection of the sympathetic ganglion, can also cause burning, unbearable pain in the bridge of the nose.
What to do if you have pain in the bridge of your nose?
A qualified consultation with an experienced neurologist or otolaryngologist will help to quickly and reliably identify the causes of pain in the bridge of the nose, to establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe the correct treatment in order to prevent the development of the disease and complications.