Understanding Nasal Burning Sensations: Causes & Relief

Question
Hi Dr. Borucki,

Very rarely, I'll feel a tingling sensation in my nasal cavity.  Then, slowly the feeling turns into a stinging, almost burning, sensation.  I don't know how long it lasts since it occurs so rarely, but maybe about 15 to 20 seconds.  After that, it goes away gradually.  I've always wondered what it could be and my nose wasn't stuffy during those times.  I think I reacted like that once when I smelled a strong perfume but other times didn't involve any odors at all and happened randomly.  I'm a physically healthy guy and have no known allergies.  Do any possible conditions/causes come to mind?  I'm sure it's normal which is why I don't tell my doctor about it but it's a curiosity.

Answer
It sounds like an allergy.... something is setting it off.  Another possibility is that you have a history of a nose injury, maybe a fracture and had damaged one of the tiny nerves that now is "easily exciteable and fires for no reason sometimes.   Those come to mind initially and it probably isn't anything to worry about.....