If there’s ever a season to blow your nose, it’s the festive period.
But chances are you’ve been doing it all wrong and are putting yourself at risk for nasty ear infections and constant nosebleeds.
According to Dr. Zachary Rubin, a Chicago-based pediatric allergist, exhaling air and mucus through both nostrils can put excessive pressure on the delicate nasal passages, potentially damaging them.
This pressure can push viruses and bacteria from the nasal region toward the back of the nasal canal, where it can be “dangerous,” Dr. Rubin said.
This is because the Eustachian tubes are located at the back of the throat, connecting the nose to the middle ear.
“If you blow too hard, you could move mucus, bacteria, and viruses into the Eustachian tube and potentially increase your risk of getting an ear infection,” Dr. Rubin told his 487,000 Instagram followers.
Forcefully blowing your nose can also cause a rapid change in pressure behind the eardrum, which can lead to ear pain and, in rare cases, a ruptured eardrum, according to doctors.
In very rare cases, blowing your nose too hard can cause the small bones of the inner ear to fracture, according to Dr Carl Philpott, professor of rhinology at the University of East Anglia.
Dr Philpott said: “Very rarely do we see people causing a fracture to the thin bone between the eye socket and the sinuses by blowing very hard.”
So what should you do instead?
Dr. Rubin advises blowing gently and clearing one nostril at a time to reduce sinus pressure.
He said: ‘The best way to blow your nose is by covering one nostril and blowing slowly through a tissue.
‘Don’t do it too hard. It should be comfortable.
“Then you do it on the other side and then wash your hands with soap and water to make sure you don’t spread germs to other people.”
Using too much pressure can cause a nosebleed, as it can put so much stress on the blood vessels in your nose that they burst.
These types of nosebleeds usually go away on their own and do not require medical attention.
It is best to blow gently through one nostril at a time to avoid nosebleeds and ear infections.
A stuffy or stuffy nose occurs when the thin tissues lining the nose swell and the immune system produces mucus to fight infections.
In addition to leaving you with an endless stream of snot, your nasal passages can narrow, making breathing through your nose a little more difficult.
But it’s not just colds that can clog your nose. Allergies, a sinus infection, and some medications can cause the same symptoms.
Pharmacists recommend alternatives to blowing your nose, such as over-the-counter decongestant sprays and “steam away mucus” by placing your head over a bowl of hot water.