With cold and flu season upon us, stuffy and runny noses are going to become more common. You may be surprised to learn that there’s a right and a wrong way to blow your nose, and doing it wrong can have some significant effects.
How to Blow Your Nose
- Close one nostril by putting a finger on one side of your nose and pressing it shut.
- Blow gently out into a tissue. Only one nostril should expel anything, as you have the other one closed.
- Repeat on the other side.
- Dispose of the tissue and wash your hands.
Focusing on one nostril at a time cleans both sides thoroughly. Normally, our noses only have one nostril working at a time, and the body automatically switches them every few hours. Closing one nostril and then the other ensures that both sides flush out when you blow. Additionally, blowing gently instead of forcefully can prevent damage to the nose and avoid issues with sinuses and sinus pressure.
If you still experience congestion issues after blowing your nose, you can try using an over-the-counter saline spray, a humidifier, or applying a warm compress to your nose to help loosen mucus.
What Not to Do
- Don’t blow too hard. It can force germs back up into your sinuses or trigger a nosebleed. It may also rupture your eardrum; your ears, nose and throat system is very sensitive to pressure, and the abrupt increase in pressure when blowing too hard can damage the eardrum. A general rule is that if your ears pop, you’ve blown too hard.
- Don’t blow too often. Excessive nose-blowing can cause irritation in the nasal passages and cause swelling, exacerbating your mucus issue and possibly causing a sinus infection.
- Don’t close both nostrils when blowing. This can also cause pressure changes in your ears and sinuses, as well as force air and mucus into the sinuses.
When to Seek Help
If your nasal congestion is a persistent issue, and you’re still unable to clear your sinuses effectively, then it’s time to visit a board-certified ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist for an evaluation. Discuss your symptoms, including severe nasal congestion, sinus pressure, pain or sinus headaches. We’ll work with you to identify the cause, as well as develop a personalized medication and treatment plan. Call Spartanburg-Greer ENT & Allergy to schedule an appointment.