The nose knows, people.
While you can’t catch a cold from the weather alone, temperature changes directly affect our susceptibility to illness.
Cold, dry air increases our likelihood of catching something nasty—and our nasal passages are our first line of defense.
“The nasal apparatus is designed to be the first step in fighting infection and filtering environmental irritants,” said Dr. Amy Brown, a board-certified pulmonologist, assistant professor of pediatrics at New York Medical College School of Medicine, and an associate professor of public health in the School of Health Sciences and Practice, recently told HuffPost.
According to Brown, our noses have an internal humidification system that helps us adapt and respond to external environments—and it’s best to keep it up as much as possible during the colder months.
When the outside air is too dry, the nose has to work overtime to moisten the air we breathe.
As Brown explains, “When nasal filtration and immune defenses aren’t working optimally because of dry air, viruses—like those that cause respiratory infections and fall colds—can enter more easily.”
Dry lips, nose and skin indicate a dry internal environment. A humidifier can help, but Brown warns that too much humidity in the home can make breathing difficult and encourage mold growth.
She says the sweet spot for indoor humidity is 35% to 45%.
In fact, experts say the key to prevention lies in maintaining your mucus layer.
A sheet inside the inner layer of the schnoz, the mucus layer, acts as a barrier to bacteria. This layer is critical as it removes airborne particles before they reach the lower respiratory tract.
Research shows that when a virus or bacteria enters the nose, it signals the cells lining the nose to replicate into extracellular vesicles, or EVS.
These EVs are like mini versions of cells designed specifically to protect the body from the threat of infection. As decoys, viruses stick to them instead of binding to cells.
Nasal cavity it also contains cells that fight disease. Dr. Peter Filip, a rhinologist, told HuffPost that these are “finger-like microscopic projections that beat in unison [to] get rid of mucus, bacteria and viruses.”
However, all these nasal protections are compromised by cold air and dry nasal passages.
As The Post previously reported, researchers found that lowering the temperature inside the nose by just 9 degrees Fahrenheit kills nearly 50% of the billions of cells that fight viruses and bacteria in the nostrils.
Humidity decreases along with air temperature, making it harder for the mucus layer to function. This fluctuation coincides with the start of the cold season, which usually lasts from late August or early September to March or April. Flu season, meanwhile, generally runs from October to May.
Toddlers and preschoolers can have up to 12 colds, respiratory infections, and/or stomach bugs a year.
While cooler climates are the main cause of nasal dryness, other lifestyle habits can also contribute. These include, but are not limited to, dehydration, frequent nose picking, allergies, certain medications, autoimmune diseases, tobacco smoke, and frequent insertion of foreign bodies such as tissues and Q-tips into the nose.
Another culprit? Candle perfumes and air fresheners.
“If there are excessive amounts of irritants or infectious particles in the environment, the nose has to work harder at filtering and may not keep up with promoting ideal moisturization, which then leads to dryness,” Brown said.
Dry nose symptoms
- Pain, irritation or congestion
- Thick mucus or dry yellow mucus
- Altered sense of smell
- Reddish skin, scabs, or crusts inside the nostrils or nasal cavity
- Itching or burning
- Bleeding from the nose
- Bloody discharge from the nose
Experts agree that limiting exposure to dry air is the best way to keep your nasal passages at peak performance. According to Brown, “Securing the ideal humidity level in your indoor living space is really the key to consistent, long-term relief.”
Check out the Post’s picks for the best humidifiers on the market.
People can find further relief by visiting a steam room, staying hydrated, using saline-based nasal sprays, and avoiding any scented items in the home.
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