What is nose twitching?
Nose twitching is an involuntary, sudden muscle contraction of the nose. It usually lasts a few seconds, but sometimes it can go on for hours. Although nose spasms can be annoying, they are harmless [1].
The nose and the surrounding area consists of 6 muscles that can contribute to nose twitching:
- nasalis [2],
- procerus [2],
- depressor septi [3],
- levator labii superioris alaeque nasi [3],
- depressor alae nasi [4],
- anomalous nasi [5].
Nose twitching can be caused by a contraction of individual or larger groups of these muscles. Spasms of more than one of these muscles can strengthen the perception of the twitch.
Nevertheless, nose twitching can be an indicator of imbalance in the body. It can occur early on in medical conditions and can indicate stress or dehydration [1].
What are the causes of nose twitching?
Muscle cramps are among the most common causes of nose twitching [1]. These can cause an abrupt contraction of the muscles in and around the nose. The cause of muscle cramps can be biochemical, but often, the causes are unknown.
Stress and dehydration [1] are other conditions that can lead to a twitching nose. They also cause muscle cramps by disturbing the natural balance in the muscle cells.
Also, deficiencies of crucial ions and nutrients can cause nose twitching. Particularly missing minerals and vitamins, which are functional elements in the body, can contribute to the development of a twitch [1].
A mineral deficiency, such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, zinc, or iron, can cause nose twitching. Similarly, a vitamin B and E deficiency can lead to muscle cramps [1].
Drugs can also contribute to the development of nose twitching. For example, diuretics, statins, hormones, and hypertension medication can cause nose twitching [1].
Further, nose twitching can also be a symptom of nerve disorders or damage. For instance, it can occur in Parkinson’s disease and Tourette syndrome [1].
Nose twitching in children can be a result of facial tics. However, the tics can also occur in adults [1].
Can nose twitching be treated?
Yes, it can. However, there is no general therapy for nose twitching. The treatment of the twitching depends on the underlying cause.
In cases of mineral or vitamin deficiencies, treatment is based on supplementation of the missing element. Restoring normal functional element levels results in a fast normalization of muscle tone [1].
When nose twitching is caused by medication, adjustment of the dose or alternative treatment may resolve the problem [1].
If you suffer from Parkinson’s or other neurological disorders that lead to twitching, you should consult a neurologist. Medications and therapies exist for many diseases that can at least reduce this symptom. A neurologist can help with tailoring an appropriate management strategy [1].
Also, facial tic disorder, which causes nose twitching, can be treated with medications, Botox injections, stress management programs, or brain stimulation [1].
Therapy of anxiety that leads to twitching can include psychological therapies and medication, like anti-depressants [6].
In some cases, when the muscle spasms are unexplainable or other therapy does not work, Botox has been used to deactivate the twitching muscle [1, 7].
Nevertheless, to treat nose twitching effectively, you should always consult healthcare professionals. This way, the therapy will always be guided and specific to the exact cause.