You’re blowing your nose wrong! Top doctor reveals how traditional nose blowing can cause nosebleeds and ear infections
If ever there’s a season for nose-blowing, it’s the festive period.
But the chances are you’ve been doing it all wrong and may be putting yourself at risk of nasty ear infections and constant nose bleeds.
According to Dr Zachary Rubin, a paediatric allergist based in Chicago, exhaling air and mucus from 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 to the back of the nasal canal, where it can be ‘dangerous’, Dr Rubin said.
This is because of the eustachian tubes sit at the back of the throat, which connect the nose with the middle ear.
‘If you blow too hard you could be displacing mucus, bacteria and viruses into that eustachian tube and potentially increase the risk of having an ear infection,’ Dr Rubin told his 487,000 Instagram followers.
A forceful blowing of the nose can also trigger a rapid change in pressure behind the eardrum, which can cause pain in the ears and, in rare cases, a ruptured eardrum, according to medics.
In very rare cases, blowing your nose too forcefully can cause the tiny bones inside the inner ear to fracture, according to Dr Carl Philpott, a professor of rhinology at the University of East Anglia.
Dr Philpott said: ‘Very rarely, we see people causing a fracture in the thin bone between the eye socket and the sinuses from blowing very hard.’
So what should you do instead?
Dr Rubin advises blowing gently — and clearing one nostril at a time to reduce pressure in the sinuses.
He said: ‘The best way to blow your nose is by covering one nostril and into a tissue slowly blow out.
‘Don’t do it too hard. It should be comfortable.
‘Then, you do it on the other side and afterwards wash your hands with soap and water to make sure you are not spreading germs to other people.’
Using too much pressure can trigger a nosebleed, as it can put blood vessels in the nose under so much strain that they burst.
These types of nosebleeds usually stop on their own and don’t require medical attention.
It is better to blow gently from one nostril at a time to avoid nosebleeds and ear infections
A stuffy or congested nose occurs when the thin tissues lining it swells, and the immune system produces mucus to fight infection.
As well as leaving you with a never-ending stream of snot, the nasal passages can narrow, making it slightly harder to breathe through your nose.
But it’s not just colds that can block your nose. Allergies, a sinus infection and some medication can all lead to the same symptoms.
Pharmacists recommend alternatives to nose-blowing such as over-the-counter decongestant sprays and ‘steaming out’ the mucus by hovering your head over a bowl of hot water.
