Experts say the nose may be the key to fighting off viruses, and there’s one way to ensure it does its job: by keeping it dry. FG Trade (via Getty Images)
Sometimes science catches up to what our grandparents have been saying all along. Like when someone warns you, “You’ll catch a cold outside!” When there’s a chill in the air. Strictly speaking, cold weather alone does not make you sick (most colds are caused by viruses). However, there is one thing that high temperatures can make you feel unwell. And you may not even realize it’s happening to you.
Breathing in cold, dry air outdoors (or even inside your home) can make you more likely to catch a cold. And it’s all because our noses are set up to protect us.
“This nasal device is designed to be the first step in combating infections and filtering irritants in the environment,” says Dr. Roberts, a board-certified pulmonologist and assistant professor of pediatrics at the New York Medical College School of Medicine. said one Dr. Amy Brown. Adjunct Associate Professor of Public Health in the School of Health Sciences and Practice.
“The nose has its own internal humidification system and can easily adapt to changes in the external environment,” Brown says. “This role is critical because it is the beginning of the flow of fresh, clean, humidified air into the deepest parts of the lungs.”
If the air outside your nose is too dry, your nose will have to work harder to humidify the air you breathe, and it will always be unable to keep up with the humidification. Professor Brown explained that when nasal filtration and immune defenses are not working optimally due to dry air, viruses such as those that cause respiratory infections and autumn colds can enter more easily. Not if you want to avoid getting sick!
How the nasal defense system is inhibited by cold
Dr. Peter Huang, a rhinologist and sinus surgeon and director of the Stanford Sinus Center and founder of Sound Health, told HuffPost: clean. “
The mucus layer is exactly what it sounds like: a sticky, slimy mucus layer on the inner wall of the nasal cavity that acts as an active immunological organ, physically blocking viruses and bacteria from entering the tissues. It works,” Huang explained.
It may sound like an exaggeration, but the mucus (or epithelial) layer is essential because the nose’s job is to humidify and warm the air we breathe and remove airborne particles before they reach the lower respiratory tract.
According to Dr. Peter Philip, a rhinologist, skull base surgeon, and assistant surgeon, the nasal passages contain billions of cells called cilia, “microscopic fingers that beat in unison to clear out mucus, bacteria, and viruses. It looks like a “protrusion”. Professor of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery at Rush University Medical Center.
Dry nasal passages put all of these defenses at risk.
According to CNN, a 2022 study published in the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology found that when the temperature inside the nose drops by 9 degrees Fahrenheit, dozens of antiviral immune defenses in the nostrils decrease. Approximately 50% of the billion cells are damaged. .
When the weather gets colder, the humidity decreases, “so it’s harder for your nose to maintain this nice, moist layer of mucus,” Huang says. (The air in your home may also be drier than ideal.) Not to mention, “a variety of viruses thrive” in the fall and winter months, which can irritate the protective layer in your nose, says Philip. .
Is there a secret weapon for virus season? Increase the humidity in your indoor space to prevent nasal passages from drying out. MICROGEN IMAGES/Science Photo Library (via Getty Images)
Other causes of dry nose and signs of its symptoms
Of course, cold weather isn’t the only cause of dry nose. Phillip says that while each person’s nose is “wired” differently, other causes of dry nose can be due to dehydration. Nose picking. Frequently pushing tissues, cotton swabs, or foreign objects into your nose. dry weather. Allergies; various medications, including oral decongestants, antihistamines, and certain medications for mental illnesses. Certain autoimmune diseases are types of diseases in which the immune system attacks one’s own cells.
Tobacco smoke, air pollutants, pungent scents and odors, and allergens can also harm nasal health, Brown says. “When there are excessive amounts of irritants and infectious particles in the environment, the nose has to work harder to filter, which can keep up and promote ideal humidification, leading to dryness. ” she says.
So how can you tell if your nose is dry? Our experts recommend looking for signs such as:
General nasal discomfort, pain, itching, or congestion
Thick mucus can lead to worsening congestion and discomfort
Changes in sense of smell
Peeling skin, scabs, scabs
dry yellow mucus
bloody scabs or nosebleeds
The best things you can do if you’re experiencing dry sinuses – especially during cold and flu season
Plain and simple, you need to deal with dry air and keep your nasal passages moist. Experts say this single lifestyle change can make a big difference.
“Ensuring adequate ideal humidity in indoor living spaces is key to sustained, long-term symptom relief,” says Brown.
Humidifiers can be helpful if your environment is too dry, Brown says, but be careful. Too much humidity indoors can make breathing difficult and can also lead to mold growth in the environment.
Find the perfect balance by making sure the indoor humidity is around 35-45%. “If you have a dry nose, along with dry lips and skin, that could be a sign that your indoor environment is on the dry side,” Brown explained.
For short-term relief, try a steam room, use a saline-based over-the-counter nasal spray, and avoid using scented items in your home. According to Brown, it’s important to stay hydrated to “limit overall dryness.”
If you suffer from dry nose, talk to your doctor for further recommendations.
A runny nose is no fun, but a dry nose poses unique problems. You may not realize that the air you breathe at home or outdoors is making you more susceptible to fall colds, but it can be. By taking viral precautions and prioritizing nasal health and humidity, you can reduce your risk of getting sick this season.
