Having a runny nose when you have a cold is perfectly normal. When your nose runs, you need to blow it. But how do you blow your nose? Do you know the correct way? Below, we'll explain the proper method for blowing your nose and highlight 8 common mistakes you should avoid.
Misconception 1: Pinching Both Sides of the Nose to Blow It
We often see people place tissue around their nostrils, then pinch both sides of their nose and forcefully blow mucus from both nasal passages onto the tissue.However, this is actually inadvisable. Blowing your nose this way may cause secretions containing bacteria or viruses to flow backward into the nasopharynx at the back of the nasal cavity. If these contaminated secretions enter the middle ear cavity through this route, it could lead to inflammation in the middle ear cavity, potentially resulting in acute or chronic otitis media.
The correct method is: firmly press the skin on the outer side of one nostril, then gently blow to expel secretions from the opposite nostril.
Misconception 2: Nasal congestion and runny nose mean a cold
When symptoms like nasal congestion, headache, sneezing, and runny nose appear, people naturally assume it's a cold. But if these symptoms persist after taking cold medicine, you might wonder if sinusitis is the culprit—its symptoms closely resemble those of a cold.
Many rhinitis patients initially confuse their symptoms with a cold. However, they are relatively easy to distinguish: a common cold typically resolves within 7 days with treatment. If cold-like symptoms persist without complete recovery, further examination by an ENT specialist is advisable.This is especially true for allergic rhinitis. Many patients mistake its recurring symptoms for repeated colds because the four main symptoms—itchy nose, sneezing, runny nose, and nasal congestion—resemble cold symptoms.
Misconception 3: Stuffing tissue to stop nosebleeds
Some parents insert tissue or cotton into a child's nostrils to stop bleeding, but this often fails due to insufficient pressure or incorrect placement, causing increased bleeding.Nose bleeds in children typically occur near the front of the nose. Applying pressure to the bridge of the nose usually stops the bleeding within 10 minutes. Once the bleeding stops, a blood clot will form. Avoid picking at the clot immediately, as this may cause renewed bleeding. If bleeding persists, repeat the pressure application. For continuous bleeding, seek medical attention promptly.
Misconception 4: Mouth Breathing for Nasal Congestion
Some individuals with nasal congestion unconsciously switch to mouth breathing to maintain normal gas exchange. The nasal passages contain short, stiff hairs that trap airborne particles like pollen, dust, and debris. Long-term mouth breathing opens the door for pathogens to enter unimpeded, increasing the risk of respiratory infections.Therefore, persistent nasal congestion warrants prompt consultation with an ENT specialist.
Misconception 5: Snoring indicates sound sleep
Many mistakenly believe snoring signifies restful sleep. However, an increasing number of snorers report recurring nightmares, daytime fatigue, slowed reactions, and declining memory. While mild snoring may cause little discomfort,However, if breathing pauses occur during snoring, it may indicate sleep apnea syndrome, where patients experience the aforementioned symptoms after sleep.
Misconception 6: Headaches are unrelated to the nose
Many headache patients undergo examinations in various departments without identifying any issues. It is only upon visiting an ENT department that these symptoms are found to be related to the nose—a phenomenon known as nasogenic headache.The most common cause of rhinogenic headaches is sinusitis. Many sinusitis patients first present with headaches or dizziness, and some may only experience headaches without typical symptoms like nasal congestion, runny nose, or ear pressure.Nasal headaches are often overlooked. They typically occur in the forehead region and follow a pattern—for instance, headaches caused by maxillary sinusitis are usually milder in the morning and early afternoon but worsen significantly in the afternoon or evening.
Misconception 7: Chronic sinusitis is no big deal
Many patients dismiss chronic sinusitis as insignificant, believing medication maintenance is sufficient since it minimally impacts work and daily life without threatening overall health. Chronic sinusitis is a persistent purulent inflammation of the sinuses. Severe cases may lead to cranial, ocular, or pulmonary complications.Most chronic sinusitis cases can be cured with medication or surgery.
Misconception 8: Use nasal drops for any nasal congestion
Many people with nasal congestion use nasal drops daily. During severe colds, nasal drops can quickly relieve symptoms like nasal congestion and poor airflow. However, they should only be used short-term—discontinue once symptoms improve, and never exceed one week.Long-term use of ephedrine-based nasal drops can cause persistent vasoconstriction of nasal mucosal vessels, potentially inducing drug-induced rhinitis. What is the correct way to blow your nose? We hope you avoid these 8 common mistakes. This concludes our guide. We hope our information proves helpful. Finally, we wish you good health and smooth sailing this winter.