Healthy Nose

1. Whats up with that sudden sneezing, stuffy nose, or sinus pressure? Your sinuses probably are reacting to an irritant or infection. The nose and the sinuses are the first line of defense for your respiratory system, says Joseph E. Kelleher, MD, a specialist in allergy and immunology at the Lahey Clinic in Burlington, Mass. They are lined by the mucociliary transport system, which consists of mucous membranes and the tiny, finger-like projections .....

Good Hygiene for Healthy Sinuses

2. Sometimes, preventing the spread of sinus problems just requires some common sense about hygiene, like covering your mouth when you sneeze or cough. Viruses and bacteria are the most common causes of sinus infection, notes Kelleher. They can get into your sinuses through droplets coughed or sneezed into the air by people with upper-respiratory infections and can also travel into your nose when you touch your hands to your face. Avoid close contac .....

Changes in Air Pressure

3. Your sinuses are air-filled cavities within your skull; sudden pressure changes can cause air to get trapped in them, which can lead to sinus pressure, pain, and congestion. This commonly happens during air travel, so its best to avoid flying when you have nasal and sinus congestion due to a cold or allergy. If you need to fly, ask your doctor if you should take a decongestant or a nasal spray first. Diving is another cause of sudden sinus-pressu .....

Air Pollutants and Irritants

4. Contaminated air inside and outside your house can cause sinus problems. Cigarette smoke and other air pollutants decrease the effectiveness of the mucociliary transport system in the nose and sinuses, which can result in swelling and congestion, says Kelleher. Cigarette smoke both from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke contains chemicals and irritants that can make allergies worse and cause other sinus problems. Wood smoke, smog, fumes, .....

Allergy Related Sinus Problems

5. Controlling common allergens can help some people diminish sinus pressure and congestion. For people with allergies, allergens like dust, mold, pet dander, and pollen can all lead to sinus problems, says Kelleher. You can cut back on allergy-related sinus problems by using an air conditioner in your house and your car during warm weather and keeping windows closed during pollen season. Make sure pets stay out of your bedroom and cover your mattre .....

Cleaning Your Sinuses

6. Studies show that flushing out your nose and sinuses with lukewarm salt water can decrease sinus infections in people with chronic sinus problems. You can keep your sinuses clean and healthy by irrigating them with a sterile saline solution, says Kelleher. Saline nasal sprays and irrigation kits are available at pharmacies. You can also try a neti pot, which is an at-home device for cleaning out nasal and sinus passages. Neti pots are available a .....

Keeping Your Sinuses Moist

7. Keeping your nose and sinuses moist is good for sinus health, says Kelleher. When sinuses get too dry, the mucociliary transport system that traps and moves irritants stops working. If your house is dry, use a humidifier and keep the humidity between 30 and 50 percent. You can check your homes humidity level with a hygrometer. Your bedroom is the most important room in the house in which to keep a humidifier going, says Kelleher. Be sure to clean .....

Drinking Fluids for Healthy Sinuses

8. What and how much you drink can promote or disrupt good sinus health. To keep the mucus produced in your sinuses flowing smoothly, you need to drink enough water, says Kelleher. For some people, dairy products can cause mucus to thicken up, and that may cause sinus pressure and congestion. Drinking alcohol, especially red wine and beer, can also cause sinus pressure and congestion. Avoiding these beverages when you have sinus problems, and drin .....

Nasal hygiene for babies

9. Young children are more likely to suffer from respiratory infections. Because their immune sys?tem is not completely developed and they are often in close contact with other children (such as in a daycare setting), this partly explains the high rate of respiratory infections in young children. Young children are also more prone to infection because they have narrow nasal cavities, are unable to blow their noses and spend a lot of time in a sleepi .....

Nasal hygiene and infection

10. Millions of Canadians suffer from colds each year. On average, an adult will suffer from one to two colds each year. There is no cure for the common cold, only ways of reducing its symptoms (runny nose, cough, nasal congestion and sore throat). The use of saline water to clear out nasal passages is a safe and effective way of relieving cold symptoms. This also applies to sinus infections. Clearing nasal passages relieves nasal congestion and help .....

Nasal hygiene and allergies

11. Your nose constantly comes into contact with allergens (mites, pollen and mould). Some people develop allergic reactions accompanied by nasal congestion and sneezing. Using saline water to clean your nose will help reduce your symptoms and eliminate allergens found in mucous. .....

Dry nose

12. Dry nose is a common problem whose typical symptoms include a tingling or burning sensation in the nose, dried-up mucous and crusting. It is very uncomfortable and makes us vulnerable to infection. There are several causes of dry nose. Here are a few examples Low humidity levels; Heating systems used in homes in the winter time; Aging; The use of nasal sprays to administer certain medications; Radiation treatments on the head or neck.To relieve d .....

The protective role of the mucous membrane

13. The mucous membrane protects us from external threats with its mucous, which blends with impurities. Then, the small nose hairs on the mucous membrane direct these impurities toward the throat and then the stomach. Stomach acids permanently eliminate these impurities. Sneezing is also a way of getting rid of impurities. Proper nose hygiene helps the mucous membrane pro?tect the body. .....

Soothing Your Nose Hydrate the Skin

14. A red, rough nose is the hallmark of an allergy sufferer. But it doesnt have to be. Pampering the skin on and around your nose can help keep it feeling and looking healthy. When your skin gets rough and dry, what it really needs is water, says Nia Terezakis, MD, a dermatologist in New Orleans. She recommends applying a little corn oil to the area. To help add moisture, she suggests applying the oil to wet skin with wet hands.The key is to make su .....

Nasal Allergies and Your Nose More on Moisturizing

15. You can also apply a moisturizer to your nose any time your skin is feeling rough or dry. Ointments or oils seal in moisture best. Creams are generally a bit lighter, while lotions moisturize the least. A hypoallergenic moisturizer will be less likely to cause irritation. You dont have to spend a lot of money to give your nose top treatment. Petroleum jelly works very well as a moisturizer.Beware of using an antibacterial or pain relief ointment .....

Tips for Gentle Nose Blowing

16. If youre spending a lot of time sneezing or wiping your nose, the type of tissue you use can also make a difference. Choosing a soft tissue can really help, Terezakis tells WebMD. You can experiment with different kinds to see what feels best to you. Try to avoid using rough paper towels or other scratchy types of paper on your skin, since these can be irritating.While blowing your nose is a good way to get rid of extra mucus, take care not to bl .....

Try a Saline Nasal Rinse

17. One way to remove excess mucus without blowing is to use a saline (salt water) nasal rinse. A nasal rinse can also help remove allergens and germs from your nose. To make the rinse, add one teaspoon of uniodized salt and a pinch of baking soda to 16 ounces of warm distilled or previously boiled water. Then, pour the salt water into a Neti pot or draw it up into an infant nasal bulb or rubber ear bulb syringe. You can also purchase a nasal irrigat .....

Keep Your Allergies Under Control

18. Of course, the best way to keep your nose feeling good is to avoid your allergy triggers and treat the underlying problem your allergies when you have symptoms.These days we have lots of options for treating allergies from over-the counter medications to allergy shots, so theres no reason for anyone to suffer with allergy symptoms, says Marshall Plaut, MD, chief of the allergic mechanisms section at the Asthma, Allergy and Inflammation branch .....

Humidity in the Air

19. Keeping your homes air a bit more humid can help improve nose health as well. Humidity helps prevent things like waking in the middle of the night with nasal problems and can increase the ease of breathing. In some cases it can also help cut down on snoring because the nasal passages are not clogged. Using a simple humidifier will allow you to control the level of moisture in the homes air. It is not necessary to add medications to the humidifier .....

Allergens

20. Allergens are a common problem. When youre taking good care of your nose you want to relieve allergies as quickly and easily as possible while minimizing the need for medications. Allergy medications tend to dry the nasal passages too much, make one sleepy, or keep one awake at night. Thus, the more you can do to eliminate household allergens and other triggers the better off you are. Air filtration can be beneficial for helping your nose stay ha .....

Keeping the Nose Clean

21. A cleaner nose is a happier nose. The way you clean your nose is important. To take care of your nose properly you will want to make sure that it receives the same kind of care that you want your skin and hair to have. With a cotton swab and warm, mildly salty water you can clean your nose without risk of scratching or cutting and you will not damage the sensitive membranes. With mildly salted warm water on a cotton swab you will want to clean an .....

Smoking and the Nose

22. Cigarette smoking is damaging. The nasal cavity suffers more from smoking menthol cigarettes than it does from non-menthol cigarettes. Pipes, cigars, and other forms of smoking can also cause irritation and damage to the lining of the nasal passages. If you can avoid smoking altogether, you are helping your nose avoid long term dryness, irritation, and sensitivity to allergen triggers. You are also saving your life.Of course, avoiding second hand .....

Objects Surgery and Nose Jobs

23. Sticking objects, including fingers, into your nose is dangerous. While you may have been able to get away with it all of your life, slicing your nasal membranes with an object or a fingernail can lead to infection. Infections in the nasal cavity are hard to treat. Its just better to prevent anything from traveling up your nostrils that isnt supposed to be there. Surgeries performed on the nose for medical reasons often mean a rehabilitation peri .....

Healthy Noses and Happy Breathing

24. The more you do to learn how to take care of your nose the easier breathing will be. Clear from debris and allergens your nasal passages can relax. Inflammation can often be caused by triggers other than allergies. This means that once the inflammation is gone the allergen triggers may not be nearly as intense. Healthy noses and happy breathing is part of living healthier lives. .....

Bathing The Nose

25. Bath the nose with cold water and cold air. Persevering in bathing the nose can improve the blood circulation of the nasal mucosa effectively, enhance the nasal adaptive capacity of weather changes and prevent common cold and other diseases of respiratory tract. .....

Health care of the Nose

26. Is one of the body parts which are easily affected by the environment. Its function and shape may be changed if its complex network of bone and cartilage has been damaged by any type of infection. In addition to controlling humidity of the air you take in, it also filters out unnecessary substances. Humidity is controlled by a damp tissue known as mucosal tissue within your nasal cavities. This is the same kind of tissue which lays the inside of .....

How To Care For Bleeding Nose

27. Nose bleeds often result form dry mucosa followed by the trauma of blowing the nose from allergies and/or colds. Here is some basic information on how to deal with them.The technically correct medical term for nose bleeds is epistaxis. They are classified on the basis of the primary bleeding site: anterior or posterior.The most common source if bleeding is from the Kiesselbach plexus which is an anastomotic (think multiple roads coming together) .....

Cough sneeze sniffle

28. Treating a kids cold is trickier than ever. Parents have long reached for over-the-counter cough and cold remedies, but the U.S. Food and Drug Administration no longer recommends them for children younger than 4. And, the FDA is investigating whether these drugs are safe for older kids. One things clear: None of these over-the-counter medications can cure the common cold or make it go away any faster.So whats a parent to do? Follow these 14 steps .....

Keep them home

29. Talk to any school nurse and youll find that plenty of parents send their children to school or day care when they shouldnt. Dont be that parent. If your child has a fever over 101 .....

Combat a stuffy nose

30. If your child is congested and having trouble breathing, one natural remedy is to clear the nose with line drops, says Dr. Cardiello. Nasal sprays and decongestants are not recommended for children. Research suggests that children ages 6 to 10 who receive a nasal saline rinse recover faster from colds or flu. Use two to three drops per nostril while the child is lying on their back, recommends Dr. Cardiello. Then have your child gently blow her n .....

Steam up their lungs

31. If your child has a cough, especially the kind known as croupy cough, which sounds like hacking or barking, run a hot, steamy shower and bring her into the bathroom; it will help open up her airways. Aim for 15-minute sessions, four times a day, says Dr. Cardiello. The humidity relieves the upper-airway swelling that can cause the croupy cough. .....

Avoid Smoking and Drinking Alcohol

32. You already know that smoking can quickly irritate the nose of the smoker as well as the people around the smoker. But you may not know that alcohol can cause nasal and sinus membranes to swell, which, in some cases, exposes them to irritation and infection. If you often find yourself congested, stop smoking and drinking alcohol and monitor your health. You may be surprised by how much better you feel. .....

Avoid Contact with Allergy Triggers

33. If you suffer from allergies, you need to avoid contact with those items that trigger allergy symptoms like a stuffy nose and a scratchy throat. If you cant avoid these triggers, use over-the-counter allergy medicines to help control congestion. .....

Use Nasal Sprays

34. Cold and flu season is one of the busiest travel times of the year. If you plan to fly, use a nasal spray decongestant before take-off. The nasal spray will help mucus drain naturally and youll avoid blockage of the sinuses.The Ear, Nose and Throat Center specializes in diagnosing and treating sinus conditions, congestion, flu and cold symptoms. Contact us to set an appointment today. .....

Drink Lots of Fluids

35. One of the best ways to stay healthy is to regularly drink fluids. Youll stay hydrated and fluids can help ensure that your mucus or nasal discharges stays thin. Drinking fluids regularly also helps prevent congestion. The old guideline of 6-8 glasses of water each day can help your sinus health while it strengthens your immune system. .....

Use a Humidifier

36. A humidifier can help break down congestion by introducing moisture into your environment. Humidifiers are particularly helpful in arid states like Utah where the air is naturally dry and humidity is extremely low. And since most Utah homes are heated using forced-air furnaces that can also irritate your sinuses, you may soon find that using a humidifier in your bedroom each night can help you get more restful sleep (plus, your skin will become l .....