Spring Allergy Season Arrives with Health Warning on Nose Blowing
It's spring across the United States, marking the return of the itchy, wheezing allergy season that affects millions. More than 80 million Americans suffer from uncomfortable allergies to pollen and other plants each year, experiencing watering eyes and stuffy noses that require frequent blowing. However, experts emphasize that there is a correct way to blow your nose, and doing it wrong can lead to serious health complications.
The Correct Technique for Nose Blowing
Doctors at ENT & Allergy Specialists provide clear instructions for safe nose blowing. The key is to blow gently and clear one nostril at a time. Press one nostril shut with your finger, then blow out softly into a tissue, using as little pressure as possible. Afterward, switch to the other nostril. Importantly, if you blow and nothing comes out, do not try again forcefully, as this can cause damage.
Health Risks of Improper Nose Blowing
Blowing both nostrils simultaneously or blowing too hard can have severe consequences. These actions can clog the Eustachian tubes, which connect the middle ear to the nasal-sinus cavity, leading to painful infections. Additionally, forceful blowing can result in a ruptured blood vessel in the nose, causing nosebleeds.
In extreme cases, as warned by the Vinmec Healthcare system, aggressive nose blowing can even cause a tear in the esophagus—the swallowing tube connecting the mouth to the stomach. The Cleveland Clinic notes that such tears, which can also arise from extreme coughing or vomiting, may lead to life-threatening complications like chemical inflammation and infections in the chest and bloodstream.
Excessive blowing might also rupture an eardrum, according to Ohio State University. If there is a substantial blockage in front of the nose and you blow really hard, it's possible to suddenly generate high enough pressure to create a hole in the ear drum, the school explained, though this is relatively uncommon.
Alternative Methods for Clearing Nasal Passages
If gentle blowing doesn't work, there are safer alternatives. ENT & Allergy Specialists suggest squeezing mucus out by pressing fingers on the bridge of the nose and massaging the nostrils in a downward movement. For stubborn mucus, Sutter Health recommends using a humidifier or saline nasal spray to help loosen it.
Placing a warm washcloth over the nose and forehead for a few minutes can also provide relief, as advised by the Allergy & Asthma Network. Dr. Jonathan Young, a pediatric otolaryngologist with Sutter, stresses the importance of clearing mucus: What we don't want in our body is for anything that doesn't belong, such as mucus, sitting inside our nasal passages and sinus cavities. He warns that retained mucus can become prime real estate for bacterial infections, underscoring the need for proper nasal hygiene during allergy season.
