Fewer things make cold season more miserable than a nose that’s red, raw and sore. Between dry indoor heat, chilly outdoor air and constant nose blowing, the delicate skin around your nostrils and the inside of your nose, including the septum, can quickly become dry, cracked and irritated. For some people that means flaking and tenderness. For others it means painful sores or even nosebleeds.

To find out why this happens and what you can do about it, I spoke with two ear, nose and throat doctors (ENTs). Below, they explain what causes nasal irritation during colder months, the simple habits that can help prevent it and the products for soothing and healing your nose if irritation has already set in, especially when you’re sick.

The best products to soothe irritation inside your nose

I rounded up products that can help soothe existing irritation or prevent it from starting, both inside and around the nose.…