Avoid Blowing Your Nose When You Have a Cold (2024)

FAQs

Avoid Blowing Your Nose When You Have a Cold? ›

Blowing your nose to alleviate stuffiness may be second nature, but some people argue it does no good, reversing the flow of mucus into the sinuses and slowing the drainage. Counterintuitive, perhaps, but research shows it to be true.

It's important to blow your nose regularly when you have a cold rather than sniffling mucus back into your head. But when you blow hard, pressure can cause an earache. The best way to blow your nose: Press a finger over one nostril while you blow gently to clear the other. Wash your hands after blowing your nose.

“It might make it temporarily clear, but if you have a cold or allergies, a lot of the blocking is not from snot but from swelling of the lining. So, blowing it out won't really help.” Swallowing is a better way to go, says Gane.

This is what we recommend you avoid doing. Don't blow your nose forcefully. It might feel good to do this at the time but it can do damage, especially to your ears - the benchmark for blowing your nose too hard is making your ears pop.

Whether it's from a hot shower or piping hot cup of tea, steam can thin mucus and help it drain from your nose. For faster relief, pour boiling water into a large bowl. Cover your head with a towel, lean over the bowl, and breathe in the steam. You can do this three to four times a day.

Avoid blowing your nose – Many medical experts feel that blowing your nose causes the bacteria that normally live in your nose to be propelled into the sinus chambers. The sinus inflammation prevents the bacteria from being swept out by normal cleansing, which can lead to more significant bacterial sinus infection.

To spit or swallow? I'm occasionally asked whether swallowing mucus produced with a respiratory infection is harmful. It's not; luckily the stomach works to neutralise bacteria and recycle the other cellular debris. Some people do report a queasy feeling in the stomach during such infections.

An infection can make mucus thicker and stickier. Infections also lead to inflammation in the mucous membranes that line the nose and the rest of your airway. This can cause certain airway glands to make more mucus. That mucus can get thick with bacteria and cells that arrive to fight the infection.

Is it better to let a runny nose run? A runny nose is a sign of your body trying to flush out harmful substances. Blowing your nose may provide symptom relief and help clear your nostrils. That said, it won't speed up your recovery.

What does clear snot mean? ›

Clear. “Normally, mucus is clear. When you have a cold or infection, it might turn green or yellow,” said Alyssa. Clear snot usually signals allergies or some kind of environmental factor that is triggering your nose to start running, such as inhaling dust or allergens. Clear snot is nothing to worry about.

Apply some aloe vera gel to soothe irritated skin after each nose blow. Dr. Garshick says it may also be helpful to use a topical steroid cream, like over-the-counter cortisone, to reduce inflammation.

A reduction in symptoms means a cold is starting to go away. A person may feel less congested, no longer have a sore throat, or feel less tired, for example. Another sign the cold may be going away is if a person feels like resuming their usual activities or no longer notices their symptoms.

Blowing your nose can help relieve some of your symptoms. It can make it easier to breathe and can make you feel less congested. However, it probably won't make your cold resolve any faster. Plus, there's evidence to suggest that blowing your nose can sometimes be harmful.

The stages of a cold include the incubation period, appearance of symptoms, remission, and recovery. The common cold is a mild upper respiratory infection caused by viruses.