Health: 5 Tips For Taking Care Of Your Nose
We often forget, but our nose not only ensures our sense of smell. It is also the organ that filters, humidifies, and warms the air before it reaches the lungs. Thus, it acts as a barrier against pollution, allergens, and microbes. Here are 5 tips to take care of your nose and better prevent ENT infections like the common cold.
1- Learn how to blow your nose properly
The first of the 5 tips for taking care of your nose is to learn how to blow it properly. Forget about paper towels that are too irritating for the delicate skin of the nostrils and opt for softer tissues, sometimes infused with moisturizing substances like aloe vera...
In addition to choosing a tissue, you should also make sure to perform the correct actions to effectively clear everything that clogs your nose:
• keep your head straight and inhale through your mouth.
• blow one nostril at a time, without forcing.
Note: if your nose is still congested, repeat the process but do not sniff! This could draw the mucus into the back of the throat.
2- Hydrate the nasal mucous membranes
In winter, the cold, wind, and dry air contribute to drying out the nasal mucous membranes. The same goes for air conditioning and certain medications like antihistamines.
A dry nose not only leads to the formation of crusts and uncomfortable sensations but also a greater vulnerability to infections. That is why the second tip for taking care of your nose is to hydrate the mucous membrane. To do this, simply put a few drops of saline solution in each nostril daily.
Note: if your nose is very dry with crusts, you can replace the saline solution with a neutral vegetable oil such as sweet almond oil or sesame oil applied with a cotton swab.
3- Wash your nose, especially in winter.
Another tip for taking care of your nose is to regularly wash it, even when you're not sick! According to doctors, you shouldn't wait until you're ill to practice this hygiene habit.
Using a nasal spray made from seawater helps prevent and treat ENT infections such as allergic rhinitis, colds, and sinusitis, for example. On a daily basis, this habit can improve respiratory well-being, especially for those allergic to dust or pollen.
Note: For daily nasal washing, it is recommended to use an isotonic spray with a mineral salt concentration not exceeding 9 grams per liter.
However, in case of a blocked nose, it is better to opt for a hypertonic spray with a concentration of 22 grams of mineral salts per liter. This type of product, sometimes enhanced with eucalyptus essential oil, is specially designed to clear nasal passages and sinuses.
4- Quit smoking
Another one of the 5 tips for taking care of your nose is to quit smoking. As November or Tobacco-Free Month is about to begin, it is worth recalling that quitting smoking has immediate benefits on the ENT area.
In smokers, tobacco disrupts the functioning of sensory olfactory and taste receptors. Fortunately, when you quit smoking, the first sensations return just 48 hours after stopping: another good reason to give up smoking!
5- Soothe a red nose in case of a cold
You will have understood, your nose is on the front line against winter viruses and spring allergens. In both cases, repeated blowing leads to irritation and redness around the nostrils.
To take care of your red and irritated nose, you should adopt the following good practices:
• spray a soothing thermal water on your face.
• apply a small amount of soothing cream on the sides of the nose and underneath, avoiding the nasal mucosa.
Favor the gentlest creams, based on glycerin, calendula, or shea butter, and repeat the application up to three times a day.
Note: if you have an important appointment and want to conceal the redness, use a green corrective stick and apply it with your fingertips in small taps before your foundation.
